Naturalism

Definition

Naturalism is a literary movement that emerged in the late 19th century, emphasizing a realistic portrayal of life by depicting everyday situations, characters, and their environments with a focus on the influence of environment, heredity, and social conditions on human behavior. This approach often presents humans as products of their surroundings, akin to how scientists observe and study nature, and it seeks to illustrate the struggles and harsh realities faced by individuals.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Naturalism emphasizes scientific principles and objectivity in literature, treating characters as subjects influenced by their environment and circumstances.
2. The movement sought to explore darker themes such as poverty, addiction, and societal issues, often reflecting the harsh realities of life.
3. Naturalist writers typically believed that free will was an illusion, asserting that human behavior was largely dictated by genetic and environmental factors.
4. Important figures in naturalism include Émile Zola, who is considered a key proponent of the movement, and American authors like Stephen Crane and Frank Norris.
5. Naturalism paved the way for later literary movements by influencing writers to adopt a more empirical approach to storytelling, focusing on the relationship between individuals and their surroundings.

Review Questions

• How does naturalism differentiate itself from realism in literature?
  • Naturalism extends beyond realism by not only portraying life as it is but also attributing human behavior to environmental and hereditary influences. While realism focuses on accurate representations of everyday life without idealization, naturalism incorporates a more scientific approach, suggesting that characters are shaped by forces beyond their control. This distinction highlights naturalism's interest in the darker aspects of life and how circumstances can dictate individual fate.
• In what ways does the concept of determinism play a role in naturalistic literature?
  • Determinism is central to naturalistic literature as it suggests that human actions and outcomes are predetermined by environmental conditions and hereditary traits. Characters in naturalistic works often find themselves trapped by their circumstances, illustrating how societal pressures and genetic predispositions can limit individual choices. This philosophical underpinning deepens the themes explored in naturalism, revealing the struggles individuals face against their predetermined paths.
• Evaluate the impact of naturalism on modern literature and its legacy in contemporary storytelling.
  • Naturalism has significantly influenced modern literature by encouraging writers to adopt an empirical perspective when crafting narratives. Its emphasis on the complexities of human experience and societal challenges has inspired contemporary authors to explore themes related to identity, class struggles, and environmental issues. The legacy of naturalism is evident in various genres today, from gritty realism in novels to socially-conscious storytelling in film, demonstrating its lasting impact on how stories are told and understood.

Related terms

Realism:

A literary movement preceding naturalism that focused on representing everyday life accurately and truthfully without idealization.

Determinism: The philosophical idea that all events, including human actions, are determined by previously existing causes, often used in naturalistic literature to explain characters' fates.

Gritty Realism: A style of writing that presents the harsher aspects of life and society, often emphasizing the struggles of ordinary people against adversity.