Environmental Influence

Definition

Environmental influence refers to the impact that surroundings, including nature, society, and culture, have on individuals and their development. In literature, especially within the context of naturalism, this concept underscores how characters are shaped by their environments, which can include geographical features, socio-economic conditions, and cultural norms.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Naturalist writers often depict characters whose lives are dictated by their social environment, illustrating how poverty or wealth shapes their destinies.
2. Environmental influences in literature can include both physical landscapes and societal structures that constrain or dictate characters' choices and actions.
3. In many naturalist works, characters are often portrayed as products of their environment rather than as independent agents with free will.
4. Naturalism often highlights the struggles of individuals against their environmental constraints, showcasing themes of survival and determinism.
5. The concept of environmental influence is essential for understanding how naturalist writers aimed to present a scientific approach to storytelling, using observation and detail to depict life accurately.

Review Questions

• How does environmental influence shape the characters in naturalist literature?
  • In naturalist literature, environmental influence is crucial in shaping characters' identities and fates. The surroundings—whether it's the harshness of nature, poverty-stricken neighborhoods, or oppressive societal norms—dictate how characters think and behave. For example, a character raised in a poor environment may develop traits of desperation or resilience based on their circumstances. This reflects the naturalist view that individuals are not solely responsible for their choices but are deeply affected by external factors.
• Discuss how naturalist authors utilize environmental influence to convey themes of determinism in their works.
  • Naturalist authors employ environmental influence to illustrate themes of determinism by portraying characters whose lives are predetermined by their surroundings. These authors highlight how factors such as socio-economic status, geographic location, and cultural norms limit characters' choices and define their paths. Through vivid depictions of struggles against these influences, naturalists reveal that human behavior is often a response to external conditions rather than an expression of free will, emphasizing the impact of environment on personal agency.
• Evaluate the significance of environmental influence in understanding the broader implications of naturalism within American literature.
  • Evaluating the significance of environmental influence in American naturalism reveals its critical role in reflecting societal issues and human experiences. Naturalism examines how environment shapes character behavior and outcomes, serving as a lens through which readers can analyze themes like social inequality, survival, and human suffering. This emphasis on environmental influence aligns with historical contexts such as industrialization and urbanization in America, demonstrating how literature mirrors real-life challenges faced by individuals. By understanding this interplay between environment and character development, readers gain deeper insights into the complexities of human nature and societal structures depicted in naturalist works.

Related terms

Naturalism:

A literary movement that portrays life with a focus on realism and emphasizes the role of environment and heredity in shaping human behavior.

Determinism: The philosophical idea that all events, including human actions, are determined by previously existing causes, often influenced by environmental factors.

Setting:

The time and place in which a story unfolds, which plays a crucial role in shaping the narrative and influencing characters' actions.