Naturalism

Definition

Naturalism is a literary movement that emphasizes a realistic portrayal of life, often focusing on the influence of environment, heredity, and social conditions on human behavior. It seeks to depict life as it is, without idealization or romanticism, often showcasing the darker aspects of existence and human struggle. This approach can deeply impact dialogue and scene tightening, ensuring that every element reflects a truthful representation of reality.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Naturalism often features characters who are influenced by their environment and social conditions, making their choices seem predetermined rather than free-willed.
2. This movement emerged in the late 19th century as an extension of realism, emphasizing a more scientific approach to literature.
3. Naturalistic works often include themes of poverty, addiction, and violence to portray the harsh realities of life.
4. In naturalistic writing, dialogue is crafted to sound authentic and reflects the characters' backgrounds and circumstances, enhancing scene realism.
5. Scene tightening in naturalism focuses on eliminating unnecessary elements to maintain a gritty and honest atmosphere that reflects the struggles of the characters.

Review Questions

• How does naturalism influence the portrayal of characters in a narrative?
  • Naturalism shapes character portrayal by emphasizing how environment and heredity impact their actions and decisions. Characters are often depicted as products of their circumstances, facing challenges that arise from their social background and physical environment. This focus leads to deeper exploration of human struggles and motivations, making characters feel more authentic and relatable within their harsh realities.
• In what ways does naturalism differ from realism in terms of thematic content and character development?
  • While both naturalism and realism aim for an accurate representation of life, naturalism takes it a step further by emphasizing the darker aspects of existence and the deterministic nature of human behavior. Realism typically focuses on everyday events and ordinary characters without delving deeply into environmental or hereditary influences. In contrast, naturalistic characters often face dire situations shaped by uncontrollable factors, highlighting themes of survival against overwhelming odds.
• Evaluate the role of dialogue in naturalistic works and its effect on scene tightening.
  • In naturalistic literature, dialogue plays a crucial role in enhancing authenticity by reflecting the true speech patterns, dialects, and experiences of characters based on their backgrounds. This authenticity helps tighten scenes by ensuring that every spoken line contributes meaningfully to character development and plot progression. By eliminating extraneous dialogue and focusing on realistic interactions, writers can create intense emotional impacts that resonate with audiences while maintaining a stark reflection of life's challenges.

Related terms

Realism: A literary movement that aims to represent everyday life and society as accurately as possible, often focusing on ordinary characters and events.

Determinism: The philosophical concept that suggests that all events, including human actions, are determined by previously existing causes, emphasizing the influence of environment and heredity.

Characterization:

The process by which an author conveys information about characters through their actions, dialogue, thoughts, and interactions with others.