Realistic and naturalistic works incorporated the use of nonstandard dialect, slang, and grammar when depicting some (but not all) of their characters, especially those belonging to the poorer classes of society. Writers used these elements with the goal of being true to life and not ignoring the way real people behaved. However, in direct narration, narrators reverted to formal English.

Do you think that such a use of language betrays a subtle condescension to the social classes whose speech is depicted with a dialect? Does a narrator reinforce class prejudices through such narration?

Question

Realistic and naturalistic works incorporated the use of nonstandard dialect, slang, and grammar when depicting some (but not all) of their characters, especially those belonging to the poorer classes of society. Writers used these elements with the goal of being true to life and not ignoring the way real people behaved. However, in direct narration, narrators reverted to formal English.

Do you think that such a use of language betrays a subtle condescension to the social classes whose speech is depicted with a dialect? Does a narrator reinforce class prejudices through such narration?