Naturalism

Definition

Naturalism is a literary movement that emerged in the late 19th century, emphasizing a realistic portrayal of life through a scientific lens. It focuses on the influence of environment, heredity, and social conditions on human behavior, often suggesting that individuals are shaped by forces beyond their control. This approach reflects a shift from romantic ideals to a more deterministic view of existence, showcasing the complexities of Victorian values and the inevitability of fate in literature.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Naturalism is often seen as an extension of realism, focusing more on the darker aspects of life and human nature.
2. Key naturalist writers include Émile Zola, Stephen Crane, and Thomas Hardy, who depict characters struggling against their environments.
3. Naturalistic literature frequently addresses themes such as poverty, social injustice, and the struggles of the lower class.
4. Unlike romanticism, which focuses on idealism and emotion, naturalism emphasizes observation and scientific inquiry into human behavior.
5. Hardy's works illustrate naturalistic ideas through fatalistic elements, suggesting that characters are trapped by their circumstances and cannot escape their fates.

Review Questions

• How does naturalism differ from realism in its approach to character development and themes?
  • Naturalism differs from realism primarily in its emphasis on the influence of environment and heredity on characters. While realism focuses on depicting life accurately and often highlights moral choices made by individuals, naturalism portrays characters as products of their circumstances, with limited agency. This means that naturalistic works often explore themes of determinism and social conditions that dictate characters' fates, rather than showcasing their moral dilemmas or personal growth.
• Discuss how Victorian values and moral codes intersect with the themes presented in naturalistic literature.
  • Victorian values often emphasized morality, individual responsibility, and social propriety. However, naturalistic literature challenges these ideals by presenting characters whose lives are heavily influenced by external forces like poverty and societal expectations. This intersection leads to a critique of Victorian moral codes, as naturalism exposes the harsh realities faced by individuals who cannot conform to societal standards due to circumstances beyond their control. The resulting tension between societal expectations and individual experiences highlights the limitations of Victorian ideals.
• Evaluate how Thomas Hardy's works exemplify the principles of naturalism and fatalism in their portrayal of human existence.
  • Thomas Hardy's works exemplify naturalism through his exploration of characters whose lives are profoundly affected by their environments and inherited traits. His narratives often illustrate fatalism by portraying human beings as caught in the web of circumstances they cannot escape. For instance, in novels like 'Tess of the d'Urbervilles,' characters face relentless societal pressures and personal tragedies that lead to their downfall. Hardy's focus on these deterministic elements underscores a bleak view of life where human struggles are largely futile against the forces at play.

Related terms

Determinism: The philosophical belief that all events, including human actions, are determined by external causes, leaving little room for free will.

Realism: A literary movement that aims to depict everyday life and society as it truly is, often contrasting with romanticism's idealized portrayals.

Pessimism: A worldview that emphasizes the negative aspects of life, often associated with the belief that suffering is inherent to the human experience.