Naturalism Literary Movement
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Questions and Answers

What is the central idea behind Naturalism?

  • Humans are free agents with complete control over their lives
  • Humans are driven by their chemistry, heredity, and environment (correct)
  • Nature is always kind to humans
  • Life is simple and easy for everyone

    • Which of the following authors is NOT associated with Naturalism?

  • Jane Austen (correct)
  • Edith Wharton
  • Henrik Ibsen
  • John Steinbeck

    • What is a common theme in Naturalist works?

  • The ease of achieving the American Dream
  • The struggle between man and nature (correct)
  • The importance of wealth and social status
  • The power of love to overcome all obstacles

    • How do Naturalist authors employ symbolism?

    <p>Through minimalistic imagery and language</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of Naturalist subject matter?

    <p>It deals with raw and unpleasant experiences</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common feature of Naturalist characters?

    <p>They belong to the lower middle or lower classes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a goal of Naturalism?

    <p>To improve the human condition worldwide</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common ending in Naturalist works?

    <p>Tragic and devastating</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the primary inspiration for the Naturalist literary movement?

    <p>Scientific principles and ideas</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key characteristic of Naturalist writers' portrayal of characters?

    <p>Portraying characters driven by their animalistic impulses and urges</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key principle of Naturalism?

    <p>Human nature is the sum of heredity and environment</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary focus of Naturalist narratives?

    <p>Character-driven narratives</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the typical view of a character's decisions in Naturalism?

    <p>A character's choices are predetermined by natural forces</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key difference between Naturalism and Realism?

    <p>Naturalism employs scientific techniques, while Realism primarily focuses on literary techniques</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is considered the greatest achievement of the Naturalist movement?

    <p>The novel An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When did the Naturalist movement reach its peak?

    <p>In the late 19th century</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Naturalism

    • A literary movement emerging in the late 19th century, inspired by scientific principles and ideas like instinct and Darwin's theory of evolution.
    • Portrays characters driven by their animalistic impulses and urges, often struggling for survival in an unforgiving environment.
    • Focuses on human nature, leading to character-driven narratives rather than plot-driven ones.

    Key Principles of Naturalism

    • Consistency in natural law: Truth lies in consistent principles, patterns, and laws governing nature.
    • Human nature as the sum of heredity and environment: Characters are shaped by their genetic makeup and environment.
    • Determinism: A person's fate is determined by external factors beyond their control, such as heredity and environment.

    Naturalism vs. Realism

    • Naturalism is characterized by philosophical pessimism and employs scientific techniques to depict characters objectively.
    • Realism primarily focuses on literary techniques and represents things as they appear.
    • Naturalism views a character's decisions as predetermined by natural forces, whereas Realism attributes a character's choices to their response to specific situations.

    Function of Naturalism

    • Exposes harsh realities of life, including prejudice, racism, poverty, and disease.
    • Aims to improve the human condition worldwide despite its pessimism.

    Representative Works

    • The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton
    • The Call of the Wild by Jack London
    • Jude the Obscure by Thomas Hardy
    • Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway
    • The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
    • As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner
    • Plays by Henrik Ibsen

    Themes

    • Scientific principles
    • Ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances
    • An indifferent universe
    • Tragic endings
    • Survival

    Style

    • Employs symbolism to convey profound meanings through minimalistic imagery and language.
    • Features coarse language and subject matter dealing with raw and unpleasant experiences.
    • Reduces characters to degrading behavior in their fight for survival.

    Subject Matter in Naturalism

    • Centers around raw and unpleasant experiences that push characters to desperate measures in their fight for survival.
    • Focuses on characters from the lower middle or lower classes, characterized by poverty, lack of education, and lack of sophistication.
    • Uncovers qualities in these characters that are usually associated with heroic or adventurous figures, such as violence and passion.

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    Learn about the literary movement that emerged in the late 19th century, inspired by scientific principles and ideas like instinct and Darwin's theory of evolution.

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