11.2 Realism and Naturalism in Culture
3 min read•july 30, 2024
and emerged as cultural movements in the 19th century, rejecting Romanticism's idealization. They aimed to portray life authentically, influenced by scientific advancements and social changes brought by the .
These movements manifested across literature, painting, and theater. They focused on everyday life, ordinary people, and social issues. Realism and Naturalism challenged societal norms and influenced public discourse on social reform.
Realism and Naturalism as Cultural Movements
Origins and Development
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- Realism emerged in mid-19th century as reaction against Romanticism emphasized of contemporary life and society
- Naturalism developed in late 19th century as extension of Realism incorporated focused on darker aspects of human nature and society
- Both movements sought to portray life authentically rejected idealization and romanticization in favor of accuracy
- Influenced by advancements in science particularly Darwin's theory of evolution and rise of in philosophy
- Reflected broader social and economic changes of Industrial Revolution urbanization and growth of middle class
Manifestations in Art Forms
- Realism and Naturalism manifested across various art forms including literature painting and theater
- Each medium developed specific characteristics and techniques
- Literature focused on detailed descriptions of everyday life and ordinary people
- Painting emphasized in depicting scenes of daily life and labor
- Theater incorporated realistic sets costumes and dialogue to create immersive experiences
Features of Realism and Naturalism
Literary Techniques and Themes
- Realist literature aimed to depict everyday life and ordinary people with accuracy often focusing on middle and working classes
- Naturalist writers expanded on Realist themes by emphasizing role of heredity and environment in shaping human behavior and fate
- Both movements rejected idealized portrayals striving for objectivity and detachment in observations
- Emphasized detailed descriptions and precise observations using language and imagery to create sense of
- Addressed social issues and critiqued societal norms serving as form of social commentary
- Focused on contemporary settings and topical issues moved away from historical or mythological subjects
Artistic Approaches
- Realist and Naturalist artists sought to capture visual world with photographic accuracy
- Often depicted scenes of daily life and labor (factory workers, farmers)
- Emphasized precise rendering of light shadow and texture
- Rejected academic conventions of idealized beauty and classical subjects
- Incorporated elements of through choice of subject matter and composition
- Developed techniques for capturing fleeting moments and atmospheric effects ()
Social and Political Implications of Realism and Naturalism
Societal Impact
- Challenged established social hierarchies by focusing on lives of ordinary people and working class
- Exposed social injustices and inequalities contributed to growing awareness of societal issues
- Objective portrayal of social conditions influenced political discourse and reform movements
- Depicted harsh realities of industrialization and urbanization indirectly critiqued capitalist exploitation and class divisions
- Emphasis on scientific determinism challenged traditional religious and moral beliefs contributed to secularization
Influence on Public Discourse
- Focus on authenticity and truth-telling influenced journalism and documentary practices
- Shaped public opinion and political awareness through realistic portrayals of social issues
- Sparked controversy and censorship debates highlighted tensions between artistic freedom and social norms
- Contributed to development of in 20th century art and literature
- Influenced formation of labor movements and social reform organizations
Realist and Naturalist Masterpieces
Literary Works
- 's "Madame Bovary" pioneered explored themes of provincial life and female desire
- Émile Zola's Rougon-Macquart cycle developed concept of "experimental novel" explored themes of heredity and environment
- Mark Twain's "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" contributed to development of in American literature
- Henry James's "The Portrait of a Lady" exemplified psychological realism in exploration of character and consciousness
- Leo Tolstoy's "Anna Karenina" incorporated elements of both Realism and psychological depth in examination of Russian society
Visual Arts
- Gustave Courbet's "The Stone Breakers" and "A Burial at Ornans" exemplified Realist principles by depicting ordinary laborers and rural life with unflinching honesty
- Jean-François Millet's "The Gleaners" portrayed rural peasant life with dignity and empathy
- Édouard Manet's "Olympia" challenged conventions of academic painting through frank depiction of contemporary subject
- Jules Bastien-Lepage's "Les Foins" (The Hay Makers) demonstrated hyper-realistic style that combined academic technique with contemporary subject matter
- Ilya Repin's "Barge Haulers on the Volga" critiqued social conditions in Russia through powerful depiction of manual labor
Key Terms to Review (20)
Character study: A character study is an analytical approach that focuses on the detailed examination of a character's traits, motivations, and development within a narrative. This concept emphasizes realism by presenting complex characters that reflect the intricacies of human nature, often exploring their psychological depth and social context, which is a hallmark of Realism and Naturalism in culture.
Class struggle: Class struggle refers to the conflict between different social classes, primarily between the ruling class, which owns the means of production, and the working class, which sells its labor. This concept is central to understanding societal change and the development of various political ideologies, as it highlights the inherent tensions and power dynamics within a society that can lead to revolutions, reforms, and the establishment of new systems of governance.
Darwinism: Darwinism is the theory of biological evolution developed by Charles Darwin, which posits that species evolve over time through the process of natural selection. This concept not only transformed scientific thinking about life and its development but also significantly influenced cultural movements, particularly realism and naturalism, by promoting a more empirical and observational approach to understanding human behavior and society.
Emile Zola: Emile Zola was a French novelist and playwright, best known for his role in the development of the literary movements of realism and naturalism in the late 19th century. His works often depicted the struggles of the working class and explored the influence of environment and heredity on human behavior, embodying the principles of naturalism that sought to portray life as it truly is. Zola's commitment to social issues and his detailed observational style helped pave the way for modern literature.
Gustave Flaubert: Gustave Flaubert was a French novelist known for his pioneering role in the development of literary realism. His most famous work, 'Madame Bovary,' epitomizes the principles of realism by presenting an unvarnished depiction of everyday life and the complexities of human emotions. Flaubert's meticulous style and focus on character development illustrate the shift towards portraying reality in literature, aligning with the broader movements of realism and naturalism during the 19th century.
Industrial Revolution: The Industrial Revolution was a period of significant economic, technological, and social change that began in the late 18th century and continued into the 19th century, characterized by the transition from agrarian economies to industrialized and urbanized societies. This transformation brought about advances in manufacturing processes, transportation, and communication, which had profound impacts on society and laid the groundwork for modern economies.
Local color: Local color refers to the use of specific details and features that are unique to a particular region, culture, or community in literature and art. This term emphasizes the distinctive characteristics, dialects, customs, and landscapes that make a setting feel authentic and relatable, often highlighting the everyday experiences of local people. Local color plays a significant role in shaping narratives during the Realism and Naturalism movements by immersing readers in the lived realities of different social environments.
Naturalism: Naturalism is a literary and artistic movement that emerged in the late 19th century, characterized by a focus on depicting reality as closely as possible, often emphasizing the influence of environment and heredity on human behavior. This movement sought to portray life with scientific precision, moving beyond romanticism's idealized views and exploring the darker, more deterministic aspects of existence.
Objective representation: Objective representation refers to a style of artistic and literary expression that aims to depict subjects in a realistic and unbiased manner, emphasizing accuracy and authenticity. This approach seeks to portray life as it truly is, without embellishment or interpretation, reflecting the real experiences and conditions of individuals and society during the 19th century.
Photographic accuracy: Photographic accuracy refers to the precise and detailed representation of subjects as captured by a camera, aiming to reflect reality as closely as possible. This concept is crucial in the context of Realism and Naturalism, where artists and writers sought to depict everyday life and the human condition without idealization or embellishment, emphasizing a truthful portrayal of experiences and environments.
Plein air painting: Plein air painting is a technique that involves creating artwork outdoors, capturing the natural light, colors, and atmosphere of a specific moment in time. This practice emerged prominently in the 19th century, aligning with the principles of realism and naturalism that emphasized direct observation and authenticity in art.
Positivism: Positivism is a philosophical theory that asserts that only scientific knowledge derived from empirical evidence, such as observations and experiments, is of real value. It emphasizes observable phenomena and argues against metaphysical speculation, promoting a systematic approach to knowledge that relies on reason and logic. This idea significantly influenced various fields, including social sciences and cultural movements, shaping how people understood society and the natural world during the 19th century.
Psychological realism: Psychological realism is a literary and artistic movement that focuses on the inner thoughts, emotions, and motivations of characters, aiming to represent their psychological experiences authentically. This approach emphasizes the complexity of human nature and explores how internal conflicts shape behavior, often reflecting broader social realities. It became particularly prominent in the 19th century alongside realism and naturalism, allowing for deeper character development and more nuanced storytelling.
Realism: Realism is an artistic and literary movement that emerged in the mid-19th century, focusing on representing everyday life and ordinary people with accuracy and truthfulness. This movement sought to challenge romantic ideals and highlight the harsh realities of society, often portraying social issues and the struggles of the working class. Realism influenced various forms of expression, including literature, visual arts, and theater, making it a significant force in cultural development during this period.
Regional Realism: Regional realism is a literary and artistic movement that emerged in the late 19th century, focusing on the accurate portrayal of everyday life and culture in specific geographical areas. This movement aimed to depict the unique characteristics, customs, and social dynamics of particular regions, often highlighting the ordinary experiences of its inhabitants while avoiding the romanticized or idealized representations common in earlier works.
Scientific determinism: Scientific determinism is the philosophical view that all events, including human actions, are determined by preceding events in accordance with the natural laws. This concept suggests that given the state of the universe at any moment, the future can be predicted with certainty, which ties into themes of realism and naturalism by emphasizing objective observation and the influence of environment and biology on human behavior.
Slice of life: Slice of life is a narrative style that aims to portray a realistic representation of everyday experiences and ordinary events. This approach often focuses on the mundane aspects of life, presenting characters and situations in a way that feels authentic and relatable, without embellishment or dramatic conflict. In the context of realism and naturalism, slice of life highlights the intricacies of daily life, emphasizing the importance of social conditions and environment in shaping human behavior.
Social Critique: Social critique is an analytical approach that evaluates and challenges societal norms, values, and structures to reveal inequalities and injustices. It often seeks to inspire change by addressing issues related to class, gender, race, and politics, making it a significant element in the movements of realism and naturalism in art and literature, where creators aimed to depict the truth of human experiences and societal conditions.
Social Realism: Social realism is an artistic movement that emerged in the 19th century, focusing on the depiction of everyday life and the struggles of the working class. It aimed to highlight social issues and injustices through realistic portrayals in literature, painting, and other art forms, often serving as a critique of society and advocating for change.
Verisimilitude: Verisimilitude refers to the appearance of being true or real in literature, art, and other forms of representation. This concept became particularly important in the 19th century as Realism and Naturalism emerged, focusing on depicting everyday life and ordinary characters with authenticity. Works that embody verisimilitude strive to create a believable portrayal of reality, often blurring the lines between fiction and truth, allowing audiences to connect more deeply with the narrative.