Naturalism in Literature

Naturalism: Etymology/Term, Definition, and Concept

Etymology/Term:

The term “naturalism” traces its roots to the Latin word “natura,” meaning nature. Emerging in the 19th century, particularly in the realm of literature and philosophy, naturalism sought to explore and depict the human experience through a lens that emphasized the influence of external forces and environmental determinism on individuals.

Definition:

Naturalism is a philosophical and artistic movement that posits a deterministic view of human existence, emphasizing the impact of biology, environment, and heredity on individuals. It rejects supernatural explanations and underscores the idea that human behavior is governed by natural laws. In literature, naturalistic works often delve into the darker aspects of life, portraying characters as products of their circumstances and subject to the inexorable forces of nature.

Concept:

• Determinism: Naturalism emphasizes the deterministic nature of human actions, asserting that individuals are shaped and constrained by external factors beyond their control.
• Environmental Influence: The movement highlights the significance of the environment in shaping character and behavior, emphasizing the impact of surroundings on human development.
• Scientific Method: Naturalism often aligns itself with a scientific approach, seeking to understand human behavior through observation, analysis, and the application of natural laws.
• Pessimistic Outlook: Naturalistic works often adopt a pessimistic tone, portraying a world where individuals are at the mercy of their environment and biological predispositions, leading to a bleak view of human existence.
• Objective Realism: Naturalism strives for objective realism in its portrayal of life, aiming to present an unvarnished and unromanticized view of the human condition, devoid of idealism or moralizing tendencies.

Naturalism: Theorists, Works, and Arguments

Theorists:

• Émile Zola: A prominent French novelist and theorist, Zola played a pivotal role in shaping naturalism. His work, “Les Rougon-Macquart,” is a series of novels that exemplifies naturalistic principles.
• Henrik Ibsen: The Norwegian playwright, known for works like “Ghosts” and “A Doll’s House,” incorporated naturalistic elements, challenging societal norms and exploring the consequences of heredity and environment.
• Stephen Crane: An American author, Crane’s “Maggie: A Girl of the Streets” and “The Red Badge of Courage” are considered early examples of naturalistic literature, exploring the impact of environment on characters.

Works:

• “Germinal” by Émile Zola: Zola’s novel “Germinal” vividly portrays the harsh lives of coal miners in France, emphasizing the brutal conditions and the determinism of social class.
• “The Call of the Wild” by Jack London: London’s novel follows the journey of a domesticated dog returning to a wild state, embodying naturalistic themes of survival and the primal instincts within individuals.
• “Sister Carrie” by Theodore Dreiser: Dreiser’s novel explores the life of a young woman in Chicago, illustrating how societal forces and economic pressures shape her choices and destiny.

Arguments:

• Determinism and Environmental Influence: Naturalism argues that individuals are products of their environment and are subject to deterministic forces, shaping their actions and destinies.
• Scientific Observation: Naturalistic works often incorporate a scientific approach to human behavior, employing detailed observation and analysis to depict characters and situations realistically.
• Pessimism and Social Critique: Naturalistic literature often presents a pessimistic view of human existence, critiquing social structures and highlighting the oppressive influence of external factors on individuals.
• Rejection of Idealism: Naturalism rejects idealized portrayals of characters and situations, opting for a more objective and unvarnished representation of the complexities of life.
• Focus on Social Issues: Many naturalistic works address social issues such as poverty, class disparity, and the harsh realities of industrialization, reflecting a concern for the societal context in which characters exist.

Naturalism: Key Principals

Key Principles of Naturalism	Literary Examples
Determinism	Germinal by Émile Zola – Characters’ destinies shaped by inescapable social and economic forces.
Environmental Influence	The Call of the Wild by Jack London – The protagonist’s transformation influenced by the harsh wilderness environment.
Scientific Observation	Sister Carrie by Theodore Dreiser – Meticulous portrayal of characters and their actions through a scientific lens.
Pessimism and Social Critique	Maggie: A Girl of the Streets by Stephen Crane – A pessimistic portrayal of urban poverty and societal oppression.
Rejection of Idealism	An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser – Characters face real consequences, rejecting idealized outcomes.
Focus on Social Issues	The Jungle by Upton Sinclair – Addresses societal issues such as labor exploitation and unsanitary working conditions.

Naturalism: How to Critique a Literary Work

1. Examine Deterministic Elements:
   • Identify how the characters’ lives are shaped by external forces, such as societal expectations, economic conditions, or biological factors.
   • Assess whether the characters’ actions and outcomes align with the naturalistic principle of determinism.

Example: In Émile Zola’s “Germinal,” the protagonist, Étienne Lantier, is inevitably drawn into the harsh world of coal mining, and his fate is determined by the socio-economic conditions of the mining community.

2. Evaluate Environmental Influence:
   • Analyze how the environment depicted in the work affects the characters’ behavior, decisions, and overall development.
   • Consider whether the setting plays a significant role in shaping the narrative and the characters’ responses to their surroundings.

Example: Jack London’s “The Call of the Wild” showcases how the hostile wilderness profoundly influences Buck, the domesticated dog, as he adapts to the challenges of the natural environment.

3. Assess Scientific Observation:
   • Look for instances where the author employs a scientific and objective approach to portray characters and events.
   • Evaluate whether the narrative is grounded in realistic observations, avoiding idealized or romanticized depictions.

Example: Theodore Dreiser’s “Sister Carrie” meticulously observes the protagonist’s journey through the urban landscape, employing a detailed and impartial lens to present a realistic depiction of the character’s life choices.

4. Consider Pessimistic Elements and Social Critique:
   • Examine the overall tone of the work and whether it reflects a pessimistic outlook on life.
   • Evaluate how the narrative critiques societal structures and highlights the struggles and hardships faced by the characters.

Example: Stephen Crane’s “Maggie: A Girl of the Streets” offers a bleak portrayal of urban poverty, emphasizing the oppressive social conditions and the tragic fate of the protagonist.

5. Analyze Rejection of Idealism:
   • Determine whether the work rejects idealized portrayals of characters and situations, opting for a more realistic and unvarnished representation of life.
   • Look for instances where characters face genuine consequences rather than conforming to idealized resolutions.

Example: In Theodore Dreiser’s “An American Tragedy,” the protagonist’s actions lead to real and tragic consequences, challenging the notion of idealized outcomes.

6. Explore Focus on Social Issues:
   • Investigate how the work addresses and critiques broader social issues such as class disparities, industrialization, or societal norms.
   • Assess whether the narrative contributes to a deeper understanding of the social context in which the characters exist.

Example: Upton Sinclair’s “The Jungle” explores the harsh realities of labor exploitation and unsanitary working conditions in the meatpacking industry, serving as a powerful commentary on societal issues.

By employing these criteria, a naturalistic critique provides a nuanced analysis of how the literary work aligns with the principles of naturalism, offering insights into the deterministic, observational, and socio-critical aspects of the narrative.

Naturalism: Similar Terms

Naturalism	Similar Terms
Determinism	Inevitability of outcomes based on forces beyond individual control.
Social Realism	Depiction of societal issues and realities in a straightforward manner.
Scientific Realism	Application of scientific principles to literary portrayal.
Environmental Determinism	Emphasis on the impact of surroundings on human behavior.
Social Darwinism	Application of Darwinian principles to societal structures and evolution.
Mimetic Realism	Imitation of real-life situations and characters in literature.
Objectivism	Presentation of events and characters without subjective bias.
Positivism	Reliance on observable and verifiable phenomena in literature.
Sociological Fiction	Exploration of social structures and their impact on individuals.
Fatalism	Belief in the inevitability of predetermined outcomes in life.

Naturalism: Suggested Readings

1. Crane, Stephen. Maggie: A Girl of the Streets. Dover Publications, 2009.
2. Dreiser, Theodore. An American Tragedy. Vintage, 2010.
3. London, Jack. The Call of the Wild. Dover Publications, 1990.
4. Sinclair, Upton. The Jungle. Dover Publications, 2001.
5. Zola, Émile. Germinal. Oxford University Press, 2008.