Naturalism

Definition

Naturalism is a literary movement that emerged in the late 19th century, emphasizing a realistic portrayal of life and human behavior as shaped by environment, heredity, and social conditions. It often presents characters as products of their surroundings and circumstances, exploring themes of determinism and the impact of nature on human experience. This approach connects deeply with the works of various authors who depict the harsh realities of life, particularly within marginalized communities.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Naturalism is characterized by its focus on the influence of environment and heredity on human behavior, often highlighting how these factors lead to struggles and conflicts in characters' lives.
2. Richard Wright's 'Native Son' exemplifies naturalism by illustrating how systemic racism and poverty shape Bigger Thomas's actions and decisions, portraying him as a victim of his environment rather than a purely flawed individual.
3. Ann Petry's 'The Street' showcases a woman's struggle for survival in an oppressive urban environment, embodying the naturalistic perspective that external forces dictate personal fate.
4. Naturalist writers frequently employ a clinical, detached narrative style to emphasize the harsh realities faced by their characters, enhancing the feeling of inevitability in their struggles.
5. The movement often critiques societal norms and conditions, revealing how factors such as race, class, and gender contribute to the characters' limitations and hardships.

Review Questions

• How does Richard Wright's portrayal of Bigger Thomas in 'Native Son' illustrate the principles of naturalism?
  • In 'Native Son', Richard Wright depicts Bigger Thomas as a character deeply influenced by his environment and societal conditions. The systemic racism and economic hardships he faces shape his actions, highlighting how external factors dictate his choices rather than personal morality alone. This portrayal aligns with naturalistic principles, showing that Bigger's fate is largely determined by the oppressive circumstances surrounding him, illustrating the idea that individuals are products of their environment.
• Discuss how Ann Petry’s 'The Street' exemplifies naturalistic themes in its exploration of urban life.
  • Ann Petry’s 'The Street' exemplifies naturalistic themes by showcasing the protagonist's struggles against the harsh realities of urban life. The narrative focuses on how social conditions, like poverty and discrimination, impact the main character's aspirations and choices. Petry’s detailed depiction of the street as a hostile environment reflects the belief that individuals are often trapped by their circumstances, reinforcing naturalism's focus on determinism and societal influences.
• Evaluate the significance of naturalism in shaping contemporary understandings of identity and societal challenges as reflected in 20th-century literature.
  • Naturalism has significantly shaped contemporary understandings of identity and societal challenges by foregrounding the ways in which environment and societal structures influence individual lives. By examining characters who navigate complex issues like race, class, and gender through a naturalistic lens, 20th-century literature highlights systemic inequalities that persist today. This legacy invites readers to consider how these factors continue to shape identity formation and individual experience within society, encouraging deeper discussions about social justice and human agency.

Related terms

Determinism: The philosophical concept that all events, including human actions, are determined by previously existing causes, often linked to natural and social laws.

Realism:

A literary movement focused on representing everyday life accurately and truthfully, often depicting ordinary characters and situations without idealization.

Social Darwinism: A theory that applies the concept of 'survival of the fittest' to social and economic issues, suggesting that societal progress occurs through the competition among individuals and groups.