Environment

Definition

In the context of naturalism, the term 'environment' refers to the physical and social surroundings that influence human behavior and experiences. This includes everything from natural landscapes to social conditions, emphasizing the idea that individuals are shaped by their environments, which in turn impacts their actions and choices. Naturalism draws heavily on scientific understanding to illustrate how environmental factors play a crucial role in human development and societal dynamics.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Naturalism suggests that environment significantly influences behavior, proposing that factors like geography, socio-economic status, and climate shape individual destinies.
2. In naturalistic works, characters often struggle against their environments, highlighting the theme of conflict between human will and external circumstances.
3. Naturalist playwrights used detailed descriptions of setting to create a vivid sense of place, reinforcing the importance of environment in shaping narrative outcomes.
4. The environment is not just a backdrop; it actively participates in the story, affecting character motivations and relationships.
5. Scientific advancements during the 19th century, particularly in biology and psychology, informed naturalist perspectives on how environment affects human life.

Review Questions

• How does the concept of environment shape character development in naturalistic works?
  • In naturalistic works, the environment plays a pivotal role in shaping character development by influencing their choices and behaviors. Characters are often depicted as products of their surroundings—social conditions, economic status, and physical landscapes shape their identities and actions. For example, a character raised in poverty may have different values and motivations compared to one from a wealthy background, illustrating how deeply intertwined environment is with personal development.
• Discuss the relationship between environment and determinism as presented in naturalist literature.
  • The relationship between environment and determinism in naturalist literature highlights the belief that human actions are largely determined by environmental factors beyond individual control. Naturalist writers argue that characters are trapped by their circumstances—be it social class, geography, or familial obligations—suggesting that free will is an illusion. This perspective challenges traditional notions of individual agency, emphasizing how external conditions dictate life outcomes.
• Evaluate how advancements in science during the 19th century influenced the portrayal of environment in naturalistic literature.
  • Advancements in science during the 19th century had a profound impact on how environment was portrayed in naturalistic literature. With emerging fields like psychology and sociology providing insights into human behavior, writers began to incorporate scientific principles into their narratives. This shift led to a more rigorous examination of how environmental factors—such as genetics, social conditions, and ecological influences—interact to shape individual lives. As a result, naturalist literature became more focused on realism and the complexities of human experience within specific environments.

Related terms

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

Realism: A literary movement that seeks to portray everyday life accurately, focusing on ordinary characters and events without idealization.

Setting:

The time and place in which a story unfolds, often intertwined with the environment to influence plot and character development.