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Explores the darker extension of realism where characters are shaped by heredity, environment, and social conditions.
If you were caught in a life-threatening blizzard, would your survival depend on your 'inner strength,' or would the cold simply not care who you are? Naturalism suggests that the universe is a machine, and you are just a small, replaceable part.
Quick Check
In the 'formula' of Naturalism, why is free will excluded?
Answer
Because Naturalists believe human behavior is strictly determined by biology (heredity) and surroundings (environment), leaving no room for independent choice.
Environmental Determinism is the idea that a person's physical and social environment dictates their character and ultimate destiny. In Naturalist literature, if a character is born into poverty or a harsh wilderness, they are 'determined' to struggle or fail regardless of their hard work. Unlike Realism, where a character might learn a lesson and improve their life, Naturalist characters are often trapped in a downward spiral. The setting isn't just a backdrop; it is an active, often hostile force that shapes the protagonist's every move.
In Jack London's 'To Build a Fire,' we see environmental determinism in action: 1. The Setting: The Yukon Territory at . 2. The Conflict: A man attempts to travel through the sub-zero wilderness. 3. The Outcome: Despite his technical skills, the environment is too powerful. His fire is extinguished by falling snow, and he freezes to death. 4. The Lesson: The man's 'will' to live is irrelevant compared to the physical laws of thermodynamics.
Quick Check
How does 'To Build a Fire' demonstrate that the environment is a 'hostile force'?
Answer
The extreme temperature acts as a physical antagonist that systematically strips away the character's ability to survive, regardless of his intentions.
A key theme in Naturalism is the indifferent universe. In Romanticism, nature was often seen as a spiritual or benevolent force. In Naturalism, nature is neither good nor evil—it is simply uncaring. This is often called 'Cosmic Irony.' Whether a character is a saint or a sinner, the ocean will still drown them, and the sun will still burn them. This lack of divine justice or 'poetic justice' is what makes Naturalist texts feel so bleak. Characters are subject to the same laws of physics and biology as any other animal.
In Stephen Crane's 'The Open Boat,' four men are stranded at sea: 1. They look to the shore for help, but find none. 2. One character, the 'Oiler,' is the strongest and most hardworking. 3. Paradoxically, the Oiler is the only one who drowns before reaching land. 4. This illustrates that the universe does not reward 'merit' or 'effort'; it operates on random chance.
The biggest difference between these two movements is agency (the ability to act and make choices). In Realism, characters have a high degree of agency; they face moral dilemmas and their choices have consequences. In Naturalism, agency is near zero. Characters are driven by 'blood lust,' hunger, or fear. They are often described as 'pawns' on a chessboard moved by invisible hands. While a Realist novel might end with a marriage or a moral realization, a Naturalist novel often ends in death, madness, or total degradation.
Compare two characters: 1. Realist (Huck Finn): Huck chooses to 'go to hell' rather than betray his friend Jim. His individual conscience triumphs over social norms. 2. Naturalist (McTeague): In Frank Norris's 'McTeague,' the protagonist is driven by an inherited 'foul stream' of alcoholism and a primitive temper. When social pressures mount, he inevitably reverts to violence. He doesn't 'choose' to be a murderer; his biology and poverty-stricken environment trigger his collapse.
Which 'formula' best represents the philosophy of Naturalism?
How does the 'Indifferent Universe' affect a Naturalist plot?
Naturalist characters typically have more agency and control over their lives than Realist characters.
Review Tomorrow
In 24 hours, try to explain the concept of 'Environmental Determinism' to someone else using the example of a character in a storm.
Practice Activity
Find a news story about a natural disaster. Write a short paragraph describing the event from a 'Naturalist' perspective, focusing on the indifference of the environment.