... beliefs, Voltaire clarifies them by refuting the Enlightenment through exposing the contradictions caused by an attitude toward life of blind, unquestioned acceptance of reality at face value. In contrast, Leo Tolstoy's The Death of Ivan Ilyich reflects the objective realism of his time. The 19th century realistic movement was a direct rebuttal to earlier romantic ideals, including the Enlightenment. Not surprisingly ... , this "anti-romantic" school of thought emphasized a focus on concrete truth, with minimal personal interpretation. Simplicity is the cornerstone of realism, and as suc...

• Word Count: 953
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: Undergraduate