Naturalism (literature)

Naturalism was a literary movement that emerged in the late 19th century, primarily in France, and later spread to other countries. It is often considered an offshoot or extreme form of realism, but with distinct philosophical and methodological differences. While realism sought to depict life as it truly was, naturalism aimed to portray the deterministic forces that shaped characters and their destinies.

Core Principles and Characteristics:

• Determinism: Naturalism emphasizes the influence of environment, heredity, and social conditions on human character and behavior. Characters are often depicted as being controlled by forces beyond their control, lacking free will in any meaningful sense.

• Objectivity and Scientific Method: Naturalistic writers attempted to apply scientific principles of observation and analysis to their fiction. They sought to portray characters and events with detachment and impartiality, as if conducting a sociological or biological experiment.

• Pessimism and Social Critique: Naturalistic works often present a pessimistic view of human nature and society, highlighting the harsh realities of poverty, disease, violence, and exploitation. They frequently offer critiques of social institutions and the failings of human morality.

• Focus on the Lower Classes: Naturalistic narratives frequently centered on characters from the lower classes, depicting their struggles for survival and their degradation by adverse circumstances.

• Detailed and Realistic Description: Naturalistic authors employed meticulous detail and vivid imagery to create a sense of authenticity and immediacy in their settings and character portrayals. They often described the grittier aspects of urban and rural life, avoiding sentimentality or romanticism.

• Frankness and Impartiality: Naturalism presented difficult and taboo subjects with a forthrightness that could be shocking to audiences accustomed to more restrained literary conventions.

Relationship to Realism:

Naturalism built upon the foundations of realism by adopting its commitment to depicting everyday life without idealization. However, it went further by incorporating deterministic philosophies and scientific methods, leading to a more pessimistic and fatalistic worldview. While realism focused on portraying the surface reality of human experience, naturalism sought to uncover the underlying forces that shaped that reality. Naturalism also often incorporated a more pronounced social critique than many realist works.

Key Figures:

Émile Zola is widely regarded as the leading figure of the naturalist movement. Other important naturalistic writers include:

• Guy de Maupassant
• Joris-Karl Huysmans
• Theodore Dreiser
• Stephen Crane
• Frank Norris
• Jack London

Legacy:

Naturalism has had a lasting impact on literature and other art forms. Its emphasis on social issues, psychological realism, and the deterministic forces shaping human lives continues to resonate with contemporary readers and writers. While the movement itself declined in popularity in the early 20th century, its influence can still be seen in contemporary literature that explores themes of social inequality, environmental degradation, and the limitations of human agency.