Realism in "Letter to His Sons"

Robert E. Lee was on of the most important leaders of the Confederacy during the time of the Civil War. His military contributions are equally important as his thoughts about the separation of the Union as well as patriotism. In the “Letter to his Sons” Robert E. Lee addresses many of the conflicts that he is dealing with in a writing style that can be considered a part of the genre of Realism. There is a clear presence of evaluation of both religion and government. Indirectly he talks about the American Dream as he describes what he wants for all of his countrymen. Another common characteristic of Realism literature is simplistic language used to convey the thoughts in a rational way rather than artistically. These characteristic make this personal letter from a military leader to his sons a perfect example of Realism.

In many works that are a part of the genre of Realism, there is a concern for the government and religion (Quinn). This is exactly what Robert E. Lee does in his “Letter to his Sons.” He addresses his feelings about the states that have begun to secede from the Union and how it will eventually lead to a Civil War or complete anarchy (Lee 385). This logical thought of almost equal numbers of states with two very different beliefs is the kind of thinking that became popular in the time of Realism. Robert E. Lee also states that mankind has not been exposed to enough Christianity to keep peace in the absence of a controlling force and that he wishes for God to keep those evils away from the country (Lee 385). In Realism, quite often religion is used to make connections to commentary on society and this is exactly what Lee does in this letter (Quinn).

\With the shift in ideals and values during the time of the Civil War, the idea of the American Dream also changed. The American Dream is one of the most common topics in Realism literature because of how it was changing so much (Quinn). In this letter, Lee addresses this in a very general means by stating that the county as a whole must be peaceful. He says that “As an American citizen, I take great pride in my country, her prosperity and institutions (Lee 385)…” He wishes that all Americans share this thought and that there can be peace and brotherhood rather than the immanent breakout of Civil War and anarchy. This analysis of what the American Dream should be for everyone is one of the major characteristics that make this a work of Realism.

Simple language is used a lot of times in works of Realism because there is no need for an artistic style when presenting rational and logical ideas (Quinn). Robert E. Lee does just that in his “Letter to His Sons” with simple statements of how he feels that changes have affected and will affect the country later on. For the most part he uses simple language that would be used in everyday speaking at the time, which is not even that different than it is today.

The Civil War was a time period in which there were many shifts in views and ideals. Realism literature is a genre that analyzed these things just as Robert E. Lee did in his “Letter to His Sons.” He addresses his concerns with government and how religion ties into it as well as the American Dream and what Americans should want. All of this is done in simple language of the vernacular of the time period. These characteristics make this letter from the General Robert E. Lee a great example of Realism literature in a personal means of communication.


Works Cited

Lee, Robert E. "Letter to His Sons." Glencoe American Literature. comp. Wilhelm, Jeffery. McGraw Hill. Columbus, OH. 2009. pg. 385.

Quinn, Edward. "realism and naturalism in American literature." A Dictionary of Literary and Thematic Terms, Second Edition. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2006. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. Online. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&SID=5&iPin= Gfflithem0707&SingleRecord=True. February 15, 2011.