Research Paper on:
Short Story Naturalism and Realism in the Works of Theodore Dreiser and Algernon Blackwood

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
especially when offering us frightening tales. Through the use of naturalism or realism we are put in a position were we see, feel, and smell, and taste the conditions which  the characters are experiencing. In these respects the authors offer the reader a very sound and powerful foundation for understanding and experiencing a story. Such is clearly the case with  "The Empty House" by Algernon Blackwood and "The Lost Phoebe" by Theodore Dreiser. In the following paper we examine the principles of realism evident in Blackwoods story and then examine  the principles of naturalism in Dreisers tale. The paper then finishes with a brief discussion of how the two contrast. The Empty House The most powerful form of  realism found in Blackwoods story is that which pertains to the two characters. Shorthouse and Aunt Julia are two incredibly practical people who are very immersed in their position of  realism. While they are intrigued by the possibility of the haunted house, they are determined to first take a walk through the house and eliminate any possibility that someone real  may be in the house, a condition that would clearly explain any noises or events. These two individuals are determined that there is something perhaps very real, even if it  is mystical and unexplainable, in the house. They understand that they cannot necessarily see what is taking place, or truly put their fingers on the occurrences. But, they are also  aware of these things from a very realistic perspective. In better understanding the realism evident in the story we present the description of the history of the house offered  up by Aunt Julia: "The house is very old indeed, she went on, and the story-an unpleasant one-dates a long way back. It has to do with a murder committed