Urban environments

Definition

Urban environments refer to areas characterized by high population density and vast human-built features in comparison to areas surrounding it. These settings typically include cities and towns where social, economic, and cultural activities are concentrated, influencing the lives of their inhabitants. In the context of literature, especially within naturalism, urban environments highlight the struggle of individuals against societal forces and their impact on human behavior.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Urban environments emerged as centers of industrialization in the late 19th century, leading to rapid population growth and significant social changes.
2. Naturalist writers often depicted urban life as harsh and oppressive, illustrating how individuals struggle against the forces of society, environment, and fate.
3. The depiction of urban settings frequently serves as a backdrop for exploring themes of poverty, class conflict, and moral ambiguity in naturalist literature.
4. Urban environments are portrayed as contributing to the decline of traditional values and communities, fostering isolation among individuals despite physical proximity.
5. The challenges faced by characters in urban environments reflect broader societal issues such as economic inequality and systemic injustice.

Review Questions

• How do naturalist authors use urban environments to reflect the struggles of individuals within society?
  • Naturalist authors depict urban environments as settings that amplify the struggles faced by individuals against societal pressures. They illustrate how characters are often overwhelmed by their circumstances, with urban life presenting challenges like poverty and competition. This emphasis on environment as a determining factor in human behavior showcases the belief that people are shaped by their surroundings rather than by individual choices.
• Discuss the impact of industrialization on urban environments and how this is reflected in naturalist literature.
  • Industrialization significantly transformed urban environments, leading to increased population density and a concentration of economic activities. Naturalist literature reflects this transformation by portraying cities as bustling yet challenging spaces where characters navigate complex social dynamics. The struggles against dehumanizing labor conditions, overcrowding, and environmental degradation highlight the consequences of rapid industrial growth on individuals' lives.
• Evaluate how urban environments influence character development in naturalist works by Crane, Dreiser, and Norris.
  • In the works of Crane, Dreiser, and Norris, urban environments play a crucial role in shaping character development. These authors illustrate how the harsh realities of city life affect individuals’ aspirations, choices, and moral dilemmas. Characters often experience conflict between personal desires and societal expectations, leading to tragic outcomes that highlight the deterministic view central to naturalism. The interactions with their urban surroundings reveal deeper themes of alienation, resilience, and existential struggle faced by those navigating these complex settings.

Related terms

Industrialization: The process of economic and social transformation that occurs when a society moves from an agrarian economy to one based on the manufacturing of goods, leading to the growth of urban centers.

Social Darwinism: A theory that applies the concept of 'survival of the fittest' to social contexts, suggesting that social and economic challenges in urban environments reflect a natural order where only the strongest survive.

Urbanization: The increase in the population of urban areas, resulting from migration from rural areas and natural population growth, often linked to industrial and economic development.