Realism and Naturalism

Realism 1860-1914 Opposed to Romanticism, Realism advocated writing about life as it actually is. Focus on realistic people, realistic events, and tell it in a realistic manner.

Realism (cont.) Objective narrator (third person point of view) OR a realistic first person narrator Characters not idealized, but have normal human flaws and virtues; they are often from the lower class (immigrants, laborers, homeless, etc.). Sometimes their choices fail, sometimes their endeavors are unsuccessful Moral of the story is not directly stated; it must be inferred from the reading.

Realism (cont.) “Local color”/ Regionalism: Dialogue includes vernacular diction from specific locations around the country; landscape and values of each locale also captured in print Nature is a powerful and indifferent force beyond human control Society often shown to be corrupt and rejected materialism

Naturalism 1880-1920 A harsher, more pessimistic form of Realism, Naturalists believed the universe was unpredictable and uncaring. Naturalism is “deterministic”: humanity has no free will, for we are victims of our heredity, environment, or just sheer blind chance. Quite often, Naturalists show life to be a cruel joke.

Naturalism (cont.) Many Realism traits, especially in style of writing (vernacular use, lower class characters, etc.) Dominant subject is the violent struggle to survive in a cold, uncaring universe—a struggle the individual often loses. Antagonists are chance, one’s heredity, nature, or other humans. “Brute within” idea: each individual is comprised of strong and warring emotions such as greed, ambition, hatred, narcissism; which will emerge depends upon the circumstance. We are like dumb animals when it comes to emotion.

Naturalism (cont.) Universe is unpredictable Fate is determined by chance Free will is an illusion; determinism based on environment, genetics Tries to approach characters scientifically Concerned with issues of survival, violence, fate Often addresses a specific social problem