1865 –1900

Naturalism in American Literature

Beginnings

Naturalism evolved as an extreme form of Realism.

It was heavily influenced by Darwin’s theory of evolution, suggesting that heredity, environment, and social conditions shaped human character.

Beginnings

While Naturalism was a philosophy, Naturalism in literature began in France.

French critic and journalist Emile Zola is considered the founder of Naturalism.

Characteristics

The main characteristic of literary naturalism is pessimism, emphasizes the inevitability and quality of death.

The author tries to maintain an objective tone and sometimes achieves detachment or change by introducing nameless characters.

In determinism, the third characteristic of naturalism in literature, the notion that individual characters have a direct influence on their lives is replaced by a focus on fate or nature and is the opposite of the belief of free will.

One common characteristic of literary naturalism is the surprising twist at the end of the plot. There is a strong sense in the naturalist stories and novels that nature is not affected by human struggle.

Themes

Survival, determinism, violence, and taboo are key themes.

The conflict in naturalistic novels is often "man against nature" or "man against himself" as characters struggle to retain a "veneer of civilization" despite external pressures that threaten to release the "brute within."

Nature as an indifferent force acting on the lives of human beings.

The forces of heredity and environment as they affect--and afflict--individual lives.

An indifferent, deterministic universe. Naturalistic texts often describe the futile attempts of human beings to exercise free will, often ironically presented, in this universe that reveals free will as an illusion.

Realism vs. Naturalism

As compared to romanticism and realism, naturalism is a more recent movement in the literary cycle.

The focus of realism is on literary technique, whereas naturalism connotes a philosophical pessimism.

Realism portrays things the way they might appear to be, while naturalism shows a deterministic view of a person's life and actions.

Realism shows that a person's decision is based upon his response to the situation, whereas naturalism concludes that a person's decision is predetermined by natural forces that make him act in a certain way.

Famous American Naturalists

Stephen Crane Jack London Theodore Dreiser

Works Cited

Alphonse, Marlene. “Naturalism in Literature.” Buzzle.com. 26 Feb. 2010 <www.buzzle.com /articles/naturalism-in-literature.html> 20 Jan. 2010.

Campbell, Donna. “Naturalism in American Literature.” Literary Movements. Dept. of English, Washington State U. 27 July 2010 <www.wsu.edu/ ~campelld/amlit/natural.htm 20 Jan. 2010

Liukonnen, Petri. “Emile Zola.” Books and Writers. 2008 <www. Kirjatso.sci.fi/ezola.htm> 20 Jan. 2010