Naturalistic Critique

Definition

A naturalistic critique examines literature through the lens of naturalism, emphasizing how environment, heredity, and social conditions shape human behavior and experiences. This approach often highlights the deterministic view that individuals are largely influenced by forces beyond their control, reflecting a broader philosophical outlook that challenges traditional notions of free will and moral responsibility.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Naturalistic critique often employs scientific methods to analyze characters and their motivations, suggesting that behavior is a product of biological and environmental factors.
2. This type of critique can be seen in the works of authors like Stephen Crane and Frank Norris, who illustrate how societal pressures can determine fate.
3. Naturalism in literature emerged as a response to romanticism, focusing on the more brutal realities of life instead of idealized portrayals.
4. Characters in naturalistic works frequently encounter insurmountable obstacles related to their social class, environment, or genetic makeup, leading to a sense of inevitability in their struggles.
5. Naturalistic critique tends to challenge the concept of individual agency, positing that people are often at the mercy of forces they cannot control.

Review Questions

• How does naturalistic critique differ from traditional literary critiques in its approach to characters and plot?
  • Naturalistic critique differs from traditional literary critiques by emphasizing the influence of environment, heredity, and societal conditions on characters and their actions. While traditional critiques may focus on character development and moral choices, naturalistic critiques explore how external factors dictate behavior. This perspective highlights the deterministic nature of human experience, suggesting that individuals are shaped more by circumstances than by personal choices.
• In what ways does determinism serve as a foundation for naturalistic critique in literature?
  • Determinism is fundamental to naturalistic critique as it underscores the idea that human behavior is governed by external influences rather than free will. In naturalistic literature, characters often find themselves trapped by their environment or hereditary traits, which leads to predictable outcomes. This deterministic framework challenges readers to consider how societal and biological forces shape personal destinies, prompting deeper reflections on the nature of agency and accountability.
• Evaluate how the principles of naturalistic critique can be applied to analyze specific works of American literature from the late 19th century.
  • Applying the principles of naturalistic critique to late 19th-century American literature allows for an in-depth analysis of works like 'Maggie: A Girl of the Streets' by Stephen Crane or 'McTeague' by Frank Norris. By examining how these authors portray their characters as products of their environments and social conditions, one can see how determinism influences their fates. This analysis reveals that these characters often face bleak realities shaped by poverty or societal expectations, illustrating how naturalism serves as both a reflection of contemporary issues and a critique of the illusion of free will.

Related terms

Determinism:

The philosophical belief that all events, including moral choices, are determined completely by previously existing causes.

Realism: A literary movement that focuses on depicting everyday life and society as it is, often serving as a precursor to naturalism.

Environment: The surroundings or conditions in which a person lives or operates, significantly influencing behavior and development in naturalistic literature.