Definition of Naturalism

The literary genre of Naturalism is a subgenre of Realism, but it seems to contain traits of other different literary periods such as Rationalism. Naturalism is heavily based on the scientific findings of Charles Darwin in his book, "On the Origin of Species" and on the French writer Emile Zola (Werlock). This writing is an attempt to once again depict real life as it truly happens but on a deeper level which can be analyzed scientifically. For example, nature plays a large role in Naturalist literature such as in the works of Jack London. Many of his novels are set in the deep, harsh wilderness; this greatly affects the characters because he is exhibiting the sheer power of nature over human beings (Realism 496). In most of the writing, it seems as though the author as an almost depressed outlook on society and life in general, but this is not true. This is due to the "real" sense in which the writer sees the world, or at least attempts to. Also, since Naturalism is based on depicting human behavior and nature, it reflects a pessimistic sort of view towards humanity and society. Naturalism was truly a direct response to Romanticism in the sense that it was reaching for a more direct correlation between real life and literature (Diamond). Maybe without Romanticism, this genre may have never evolved, but it is quite possible that it still would have because these Naturalist authors seem to be a breed of their own. They try to speak the truth in a straightforward and scientific way, and at the same time, they make larger and more important assumptions from it all. Similar to the genres of Realism and Regionalism, the "hero" of the Naturalist style would be the average middle class or poor citizen (Werlock). This goes hand in hand with depicting society as it really is because there is not a harsher truth than normality or poverty in the American streets. Of course, along with this "hero," the dream is a rags to riches type scenario in which the character ultimately succeeds. However, this does not happen too often in Naturalist literature because it does not happen very often in real life, and when writers do decide to allow their protagonist to succeed, it is in a much more subtle way than one would imagine.

Diamond, Marie Josephine, ed. "naturalism." Encyclopedia of World Writers, 19th and 20th Centuries. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2003.Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&SID=5&iPin= GEWW410&SingleRecord=True (accessed February 1, 2011).

"Regionalism and Realism." American Literature. Comp. Jeffery D. Wilhelm. Columbus: McGraw Hill, 2009. 486-494. Print. 01 Feb 2011.

Werlock, Abby H. P. "naturalism." The Facts On File Companion to the American Short Story, Second Edition. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2009. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&SID=5&iPin= Gamshrtsty0501&SingleRecord=True (accessed February 1, 2011).