A Modern Instance (ePub)

William Dean Howells (1837-1920) was a pivotal figure in American literature, offering a bridge between the 19th-century realism and 20th-century modernity. Born in Martins Ferry, Ohio, Howells rose to prominence not just as a writer, but also as a literary critic and as an editor, including a long tenure at the Atlantic Monthly. His work is characterized by its societal examination and nuanced portrayal of American life. Howells is often cited among the 'Fathers of American Realism' for his contributions to the literary movement that sought to depict everyday life and people with fidelity (E. N. Harbert, W. D. Howells and Art in His Time, 1970). 'A Modern Instance' (1882), one of his best-known novels, stands testament to his literary ethos, dissecting the intricacies and moral dilemmas of a divorce in a small New England town. This work, along with many others, showcases Howells' attentiveness to the subtleties of human relationships and societal norms. Through his prose, Howells advocated for realism, and he delineated social themes with a clarity that influenced generations of writers. His literary style, descriptive yet controlled, mirrors the unembellished truths he sought to expose, offering readers a mirror to the shifting American milieu (K. L. Halio, Howells and the Age of Realism, 1966).