5.6 Rural naturalism

Rural naturalism emerged in late 19th century America, focusing on realistic portrayals of rural life and landscapes. It developed as a response to rapid industrialization, seeking to document and critique changing social conditions in rural areas.

This literary movement drew inspiration from French naturalist writers and adopted deterministic philosophies. It addressed economic struggles of farmers, technological impacts on agriculture, and the isolation faced by rural communities during a time of significant social change.

Origins of rural naturalism

• Emerged as a literary movement in late 19th century America, focusing on realistic portrayals of rural life and landscapes
• Developed as a response to rapid industrialization and urbanization, seeking to document and critique the changing social conditions in rural areas

Influence of European naturalism

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• Drew inspiration from French naturalist writers like Émile Zola and his emphasis on scientific objectivity
• Adopted the deterministic philosophy that human behavior results from heredity and environment
• Incorporated detailed observations of social conditions and human behavior in rural settings

American social conditions

• Responded to the economic struggles of farmers during the late 19th century (Panic of 1893)
• Addressed the impact of technological advancements on traditional agricultural practices
• Explored the isolation and hardships faced by rural communities in the rapidly changing American landscape

Literary predecessors

• Built upon the regional writing tradition established by authors like Bret Harte and Mark Twain
• Expanded on the realistic portrayals of rural life found in local color fiction
• Incorporated elements of social criticism from earlier reform-minded literature (Uncle Tom's Cabin)

Key characteristics

• Rural naturalism focused on depicting the harsh realities of rural life in America during the late 19th and early 20th centuries
• Aimed to provide an unvarnished portrayal of rural society, challenging romanticized notions of pastoral life

Determinism and environment

• Emphasized the role of heredity and environment in shaping human behavior and fate
• Portrayed characters as products of their genetic inheritance and social circumstances
• Explored how natural forces and economic conditions constrained individual choices and opportunities

Objective observation

• Strived for scientific detachment in describing characters and events
• Employed detailed, unembellished descriptions of rural life and landscapes
• Avoided moral judgments, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions from the presented facts

Focus on rural settings

• Centered narratives around farms, small towns, and rural landscapes
• Depicted the daily routines and challenges of agricultural life
• Explored the relationship between humans and the natural environment in rural areas

Social critique

• Exposed the harsh realities of poverty, inequality, and limited opportunities in rural communities
• Challenged idealized notions of rural life promoted by earlier romantic literature
• Addressed issues of class, gender, and economic disparity in rural society

Major authors and works

• Rural naturalism encompassed a diverse group of writers who focused on different aspects of rural life and regional experiences
• These authors contributed to the development of a distinctly American literary voice rooted in rural experiences

Hamlin Garland's contributions

• Pioneered the "veritism" movement, emphasizing truthful depiction of rural life
• Wrote

  Main-Travelled Roads

  (1891), a collection of short stories about Midwestern farm life
• Explored themes of economic hardship and disillusionment in rural communities
• Criticized the exploitation of farmers by banks and railroads in his works

Sarah Orne Jewett's stories

• Focused on the coastal communities of Maine in her regional fiction
• Wrote

  The Country of the Pointed Firs

  (1896), a novel-like collection of sketches
• Depicted the decline of rural New England and the impact on its inhabitants
• Explored themes of community, nature, and the changing roles of women in rural society

Mary E. Wilkins Freeman's fiction

• Portrayed the lives of women in rural New England communities
• Wrote

  A New England Nun and Other Stories

  (1891), exploring themes of independence and social constraints
• Depicted the psychological struggles of characters facing economic and social pressures
• Challenged traditional gender roles and expectations in her stories

Themes in rural naturalism

• Rural naturalist writers explored a range of interconnected themes reflecting the complexities of rural life
• These themes often highlighted the tensions between traditional ways of life and modernizing forces

Economic hardship

• Depicted the financial struggles of farmers and rural workers
• Explored the impact of crop failures, market fluctuations, and debt on rural families
• Addressed the exploitation of rural communities by urban-based economic interests (banks, railroads)

Gender roles in rural society

• Examined the traditional expectations placed on men and women in rural communities
• Portrayed the limited opportunities for women in rural settings
• Explored the changing dynamics of gender roles as rural society evolved

Man vs nature

• Depicted the constant struggle of rural inhabitants against natural forces (droughts, floods, harsh winters)
• Explored the psychological impact of isolation and the unforgiving natural environment
• Portrayed nature as both a source of beauty and a formidable adversary

Social class disparities

• Highlighted the economic and social divisions within rural communities
• Explored the tensions between landowners, tenant farmers, and laborers
• Addressed the limited social mobility and opportunities for advancement in rural settings

Literary techniques

• Rural naturalist writers employed various literary devices to create vivid, authentic portrayals of rural life
• These techniques aimed to immerse readers in the rural experience and convey the complexities of rural society

Dialect and regional language

• Incorporated local speech patterns and colloquialisms to create authentic character voices
• Used dialect to reflect social class, education level, and regional identity
• Balanced regional language with standard English to maintain readability for a broader audience

Detailed descriptions of landscape

• Provided vivid, sensory-rich depictions of rural environments
• Used landscape descriptions to reflect characters' emotional states and experiences
• Explored the relationship between characters and their natural surroundings

Character-driven narratives

• Focused on in-depth character studies rather than plot-driven stories
• Explored the psychological motivations and inner lives of rural characters
• Used characters to represent broader social and economic issues in rural communities

Symbolism in nature

• Employed natural elements as symbols for human experiences and emotions
• Used seasonal changes to reflect character development and thematic progression
• Incorporated animal imagery to represent human traits or social dynamics

Impact on American literature

• Rural naturalism played a significant role in shaping the direction of American literature in the late 19th and early 20th centuries
• Its influence extended beyond its immediate time period, contributing to the development of various literary movements

Shift from romanticism

• Challenged the idealized, romantic portrayals of rural life in earlier American literature
• Introduced a more critical, realistic approach to depicting rural society and landscapes
• Paved the way for a broader acceptance of realistic and naturalistic writing styles

Influence on realism

• Contributed to the development of American literary realism
• Expanded the scope of realistic fiction to include diverse rural experiences and perspectives
• Influenced urban realist writers in their approach to social critique and character development

Legacy in regional literature

• Established a strong tradition of regional writing in American literature
• Inspired subsequent generations of writers to explore and document local cultures and landscapes
• Contributed to the preservation of rural American experiences and dialects in literature

Critical reception

• The reception of rural naturalism evolved over time, reflecting changing literary tastes and social attitudes
• Critical perspectives on rural naturalist works have expanded to include diverse interpretations and analytical approaches

Contemporary reviews

• Initially met with mixed reactions from literary critics and readers
• Praised for its authentic portrayals of rural life and social issues
• Criticized by some for its perceived pessimism and focus on negative aspects of rural society

Modern scholarly interpretations

• Recognized for its contributions to the development of American literary realism and naturalism
• Analyzed for its depiction of social, economic, and environmental issues in rural America
• Studied as a valuable historical record of rural life during a period of significant social change

Feminist perspectives

• Examined the portrayal of women's experiences and gender roles in rural naturalist works
• Highlighted the contributions of female authors to the rural naturalist movement
• Analyzed the intersection of gender, class, and rural identity in naturalist literature

Rural naturalism vs urban naturalism

• While sharing some common principles, rural and urban naturalism developed distinct characteristics reflecting their different settings and concerns
• The comparison highlights the diversity within the broader naturalist movement in American literature

Setting and environment

• Rural naturalism focused on farms, small towns, and natural landscapes
• Urban naturalism centered on city streets, tenements, and industrial settings
• Rural works emphasized the relationship between humans and nature, while urban works explored the impact of the built environment

Character archetypes

• Rural naturalism often featured farmers, farm wives, and small-town inhabitants
• Urban naturalism depicted factory workers, immigrants, and city dwellers from various social classes
• Rural characters often struggled against nature and economic forces, while urban characters faced social pressures and industrial challenges

Thematic differences

• Rural naturalism explored themes of isolation, tradition vs. progress, and the decline of agricultural communities
• Urban naturalism focused on issues of poverty, social mobility, and the impact of industrialization
• Both shared concerns about determinism and social critique, but applied them to different contexts

Decline and evolution

• Rural naturalism as a distinct movement gradually gave way to new literary trends, but its influence persisted in various forms
• The themes and techniques of rural naturalism evolved and adapted to changing literary and social landscapes

Transition to modernism

• Modernist writers incorporated elements of rural naturalism while experimenting with new narrative techniques
• The focus shifted from detailed external descriptions to more subjective, psychological explorations of rural experiences
• Rural settings and themes continued to appear in modernist works, often as counterpoints to urban experiences

Lasting influence on regionalism

• Rural naturalism's emphasis on local color and regional identity influenced subsequent regional literature
• Contemporary regional writers continue to draw on the tradition of detailed, authentic portrayals of rural life
• The legacy of rural naturalism can be seen in the ongoing interest in documenting diverse American experiences

Neo-naturalism in later literature

• Elements of rural naturalism resurfaced in mid-20th century works (John Steinbeck's

  The Grapes of Wrath

  )
• Contemporary authors have revisited naturalistic themes in rural settings, addressing modern social and environmental issues
• The enduring appeal of rural naturalism lies in its ability to critique society through the lens of rural experiences