1. Naturalism and its Influences on Steinbeck’s Work
What is Naturalism?
Naturalism and its
Influences on Steinbeck’s Work

2. First, Realism: Realism is
the quality of representing a person, thing or situation accurately or in a way that is true to life
an attempt to depict subjects truthfully
Notice language (inappropriate by today’s standards), attitudes toward drinking, other character traits

3. Naturalism Naturalism is an extreme form of realism:
“Human beings are animals in a natural world, responding to environmental forces and internal stresses and drives, over none of which they have control and none of which they fully understand.”1
In other words humans are animal-like, following their instincts to survive.
1. C. Hugh Holman and William Harmon. A Handbook to Literature, 5th ed. (New York: Macmillan, 1986).

4. Naturalists Believed that:
Everything that exists is a part of nature—and can be explained by natural causes
Men’s (and women’s) lives and actions are determined by impersonal natural forces, such as social conditions, the environment, and heredity
Life is seen as merely cause and effect; nature is indifferent to our struggle

5. Naturalists Are said to “pull no punches” (and thus, may seem cold)
Tell it like it is
May be considered pessimistic
APPRECIATE nature; LOVE natural beauty

6. Question
How does this understanding of naturalism connect to what we know about Steinbeck’s belief about the purpose of literature and the job of the writer?

7. “Johnny Bear” Watch for naturalistic elements
Descriptions of humans as animals
Straightforward descriptions and/or tell-it-like-it-is characterization
Love of natural beauty
Record words and phrases in your packet,
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