All terms

What is naturalism?

Naturalism is a literary movement that portrays characters and events in a manner similar to how they would occur in real life, focusing on the scientific and objective aspects of human behavior and experience.

Naturalism in Creative Writing: When Reality Meets Fiction

Naturalism is a literary movement which originated in the late 19th century, and is characterized by its attempt to depict human beings and their actions in a manner similar to how they would occur in real life. Naturalist writers often use everyday language, and their characters and actions are portrayed without sentimentality, as if observed under a microscope.

The naturalists believed that people were shaped by their environment, and that human behavior was the result of biological, social, and economic determinism. This deterministic view of human behavior often results in characters who are not in control of their own lives, and who are often driven by forces beyond their control. The naturalists believed that it was the writer's job to reveal the reality of life, and that there was no need to add any moralizing or idealization of the characters and their actions.

In terms of grammatical style, naturalism is often characterized by a focus on objective descriptions and detailed observations of human behavior, building a picture of the world that is scientific and precise. Because of this, naturalist writers often avoid using metaphors or poetic language, preferring instead to focus on simple, concrete details. Naturalism also often involves a rejection of traditional narrative structures, with events unfolding as they would in real life, without the use of traditional plot devices such as foreshadowing, ironies or melodramatic scenes.

Naturalism in Literature: Realism at its Rawest

Naturalism is characterized by its attempt to depict human beings and their actions in a manner similar to how they would occur in real life. Let's take a look at some examples:

The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane

In this novel, Stephen Crane portrays the experiences of a young Union soldier, Henry Fleming, during the American Civil War. The novel is characterized by its unflinching portrayal of the gruesome realities of war, and its exploration of the psychological effects of combat on soldiers.

To Build a Fire by Jack London

This short story by Jack London is a classic example of naturalism in literature. It tells the story of a man in the Yukon who attempts to survive in extremely cold weather, but whose lack of survival skills ultimately leads to his death. The story is characterized by its objective descriptions of the man's physical sensations and his struggle for survival.