Realism Project: Naturalism

Naturalism is a sub-genre of the Realism literary period. "A product of the late 19th century and sometimes seen as an extension of or successor to realism, naturalism was a literary movement based on the writings of the scientist Charles Darwin, author of Origin of Species (1859)" (Sommers). Charles Darwin said that evolution applied to human life--even though humans were considered "'merely higher-order animals'" (Sommers) by Darwin--, and that the "fittest" would be successful throughout their lives, whether it was in business, money, or social status. Those who would prevail would go off of their instinct, that inner gut feeling. This would enable them to succeed, however, it was still up to fate. "Under this framework, a story's character operates by compulsion and drive but cannot control his own destiny" (Sommers). In other words, those who were meant to prevail would.

This type of literature started as the American economy started to develop in the late nineteenth century. Large businesses grew around the oil, steel, and railroad industries, and this growth and competition started the idea of "survival of the fittest." With this came along the American Dream and the view of the Hero at this point in time. The American Dream was to become successful, through any means possible. When one became successful, they became part of the higher social class--which can be considered as the top class, or the "fittest"--and therefore a survivor. They had reached the top, and this meant that they were part of the "fittest" group. The Hero of this time would be one who reached the top and was successful. For example, a business owner of a famous company would be considered a hero, because they have done what they could to reach the top, and being one of the "fittest," they achieved that goal, the American Dream.

A similar literary period to Naturalism, is Rationalism, the literary period that was based on facts, science, and logic, rather than emotions, morality, and the soul. Naturalism is literature based on the science of man, which can be connected to the writing style of Rationalism. "...Zola wrote that the novelist should approach the craft of writing in the same manner as the scientist approaches the study of nature" (Diamond). With this in mind, one can better understand naturalism, and by further extent, realism.




Works Cited

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 8, 2011).

Sommers, Joseph Michael. "naturalism." In Maunder, Andrew. Facts On File Companion to the British Short Story. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2007. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&SID=5&iPin= CBSS450&SingleRecord=True (accessed January 31, 2011).