Naturalism

Definition

Naturalism is a literary movement that emphasizes a detailed, realistic depiction of life, focusing on the influence of environment, heredity, and social conditions on human behavior. This approach often portrays characters as products of their circumstances, often highlighting the darker aspects of existence and the deterministic forces at play in their lives.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Naturalism emerged in the late 19th century as a reaction to Romanticism, which focused more on emotion and individualism.
2. Key authors associated with naturalism include Émile Zola, Stephen Crane, and Frank Norris, who explored themes of survival and societal challenges.
3. Naturalistic literature often uses a scientific lens to analyze human behavior, treating characters like subjects in a lab experiment influenced by their environment.
4. Common themes include poverty, addiction, and the struggle for survival, with a focus on how these elements affect people's choices and fates.
5. Naturalism often blurs the line between fiction and reality, pushing readers to confront uncomfortable truths about society and human nature.

Review Questions

• How does naturalism differentiate itself from realism in literature?
  • While both naturalism and realism focus on depicting life accurately, naturalism takes it a step further by emphasizing the influence of environmental and hereditary factors on characters' lives. Realism aims to portray everyday situations and characters without embellishment, whereas naturalism often highlights the darker aspects of existence, suggesting that human behavior is determined by forces beyond individual control. This distinction leads to a more deterministic view of human fate in naturalist works compared to the more neutral stance of realism.
• In what ways do naturalist authors explore the theme of determinism through their characters?
  • Naturalist authors illustrate determinism by crafting characters whose lives are shaped by their environment, social status, and genetic background. They depict how these factors limit personal choice and influence outcomes, showing characters often trapped in cycles of poverty or addiction. By emphasizing that characters are products of their circumstances rather than free agents making independent decisions, naturalism presents a stark view of human existence where individuals are largely at the mercy of external forces.
• Evaluate how Cheryll Glotfelty’s perspective contributes to our understanding of naturalism in literature.
  • Cheryll Glotfelty’s work provides valuable insights into how naturalism relates to environmental literature by emphasizing the interconnectedness of humans and nature. She explores how naturalist writers reveal the impact of environment on human behavior, aligning with broader ecological concerns. This perspective allows readers to see naturalism not just as a literary style but also as a commentary on our relationship with nature and the consequences of ignoring environmental influences on society. Glotfelty's ideas expand our appreciation for naturalism's depth and relevance in contemporary discussions about environmental issues.

Related terms

Realism: A literary movement that aims to represent everyday life and society as it is, often focusing on the mundane aspects of life without idealization.

Determinism:

The philosophical concept that all events, including human actions, are determined by previously existing causes, often explored in naturalist literature.

Environmental Influence: The idea that a person's surroundings and social conditions significantly shape their character and choices, a key focus in naturalist works.