1. Created by: Loki, Li Jun and Raquel.
Naturalism
Created by: Loki, Li Jun and Raquel.

2. What is Naturalism?
Dealt with the application of scientific principles of detachment and it’s relation to human beings
Very anti-romantic
- depicts the surface reality just like realism
- devalues the imaginations within the reality
Believes in the limited ability for humans to
impose will upon their own destiny

3. Origin of Naturalism Originated from France in the late 1880’s
Came across to America in the 1890’s up to the 1920’s
Influenced by many of the ideas of Charles Darwin.
An outgrowth of Realism in American Literature

4. How does Nature play a role?
Humans are being studied within the natural environment, whether it be at a workplace, at home or in the wild. We are deemed “human beasts” by one writer, Emile Zola, and so we are easily influenced by our surroundings.

5. This sounds familiar...
It may seem like Realism, because of the pessimistic view towards people and their true selves. Only, there’s one main quality about Naturalism that separates it from Realism and that’s its’ focus on nature as well as people!

6. This is different, I promise.
There is a scientific approach taken when studying humans in their habitat. Observations are taken of what governs a human’s thinking and physical action. Thus, the scientific method is used when writing a novel, blending a science experiment with a story. An interesting concoction.

7. Who are these guys? George Baker: Transactions of the Royal Society
Emile Zola: The Fortune of the Rougons
Stephen Crane: Maggie, a Girl of the Streets: a Story of New York
Henry James: Daisy Miller
Jack London: The Sea Wolf

8. Specific Beliefs of Naturalist Writers
limited ability for humans to impose will upon their destiny (sociobiology)
human behavior is influenced by forces beyond the individual’s power, especially by biology and environment
see human life as a “grim losing battle”
view that humans are driven by animal instincts

9. Styles in Naturalist Writings
Use nature’s characteristics to guide the characters of a story in hidden ways (similar to Realism)
mainly focus on the inner feelings of the characters rather than the plot of the story
Very pessimistic in general
Dominant theme: people are fated to their life due to their heredity, environment, and social conditions