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

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

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).

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

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

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?

“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, p. 10