Realism vs. Naturalism

Definition

Realism and naturalism are two literary movements that emerged in the late 19th century, often overlapping but distinct in their approaches. Realism focuses on depicting everyday life and ordinary characters with a truthful representation, while naturalism extends this by emphasizing a more scientific and deterministic view of human behavior, often influenced by heredity and environment. Both movements sought to challenge romantic ideals by portraying life as it truly is, but naturalism often portrays a harsher, more deterministic perspective on existence.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Realism emerged as a reaction against romanticism in literature, aiming for a more accurate portrayal of life and society.
2. Naturalism is often seen as an extension of realism but incorporates scientific principles, viewing characters as products of their environment and biology.
3. Prominent authors associated with realism include Mark Twain and Henry James, while naturalism is represented by writers like Stephen Crane and Frank Norris.
4. Naturalist writers often explored themes of survival, fate, and the influence of the environment on individuals, reflecting a darker view of life.
5. While realism focuses on moral ambiguity and the complexity of life, naturalism tends to emphasize how people are controlled by forces beyond their control.

Review Questions

• Compare and contrast the main themes found in realism and naturalism. How do they differ in their portrayal of characters and society?
  • Realism focuses on everyday experiences and ordinary characters, presenting a nuanced view of life that highlights moral complexity and social issues. In contrast, naturalism delves deeper into the factors that shape human behavior, such as environment and heredity, often portraying characters as victims of circumstance. While both movements aim to reflect reality, realism tends to emphasize individual agency within societal constraints, whereas naturalism suggests that individuals have limited control over their destinies.
• Evaluate how the principles of determinism shape the narrative style of naturalistic writers compared to realist authors.
  • Determinism in naturalism leads writers to create narratives that illustrate how characters are shaped by external forces like nature, society, and genetics. This often results in stories where characters face insurmountable challenges due to factors beyond their control. In contrast, realist authors typically focus on character development through personal choices and moral dilemmas within their social contexts. This difference in narrative style illustrates how naturalists present a more pessimistic view of human existence compared to the more optimistic perspectives often found in realism.
• Analyze how the evolution from realism to naturalism reflects broader cultural shifts in society during the late 19th century.
  • The transition from realism to naturalism mirrors significant cultural shifts in society during the late 19th century, particularly advancements in science and psychology. As industrialization changed social structures and economic realities, writers began to grapple with the implications of these changes on human nature. Naturalism's emphasis on deterministic views reflects a growing belief in scientific explanations for human behavior, suggesting that individual choices were overshadowed by inherited traits and environmental influences. This shift also indicates a move towards a more critical examination of societal conditions and human suffering, aligning with contemporary movements advocating for social change.

Related terms

Determinism:

The philosophical belief that all events, including human actions, are ultimately determined by causes regarded as external to the will.

Naturalistic Novel: A type of novel that employs the principles of naturalism, focusing on the influence of environment and heredity on human behavior.

Social Realism: An artistic movement that aims to highlight social issues and the conditions of the working class, often intertwined with realism.