Naturalism
(1890's -1920's) The pessimistic Branch of Realism
What Is Naturalism?
Naturalism influences authors to write about real people in situations where uncontrollable forces are in charge of individual fate ("Division" 470). The authors show us the relationship between actions and environment (Public.wsu.edu). It suddenly becomes the battle of instincts; no longer the battle of human emotions. This period is filled with dark, pessimistic views and stories based off of scientific ideas.
Events & Impacts
- War- After the Civil War there was a post-depression which put several families in bad economic situations.
- Theories-This is the period when Darwinism is first introduced; therefore, aspects of social-Darwinism are incorporated into the literature (Online-literature). It becomes more philosophical than Realism (Public.wsu.edu).
- Poverty- Influenced author's outlook on life.
The Main Authors
Jack London
Growing up in poverty in San Francisco, Jack London worked various jobs over the course of his adolescent years; he soon turned to writing. He submitted story after story to be published although his stories were rejected numerous times (London.sonoma). After an unsuccessful trip to Alaska as a gold miner, Jack London realized the human desire for wealth and power ("Read" 606). Many of his stories took place in harsh climates such as To Build a Fire ("Division" 471).
Edwin Arlington Robinson
The most successful American poet of the 1920's, Robinson also grew up in poverty and had an unhappy childhood. His poems tended to be very pessimistic and focused on people's inner struggles and losses ("Read" 664-667). At first, his writing went unnoticed. Robinson's fame wasn't until Theodore Roosevelt highly recommended his poems in a magazine article (Poet.org).
Theodore Dreiser
"Nature, fate, and heredity"( "Division" 470). - Themes of Naturalism
Genres and Themes
Fate, struggle, and endurance in nature all play the themes throughout the Naturalism period ("Division" 470-471). Fate is determined not by a god, but by natural causes such as weather, incidents, or death. The character's struggle against the uncontrollable nature leads to internal conflicts. Endurance and instincts are shown through the character's response to the environment and situations.
Stylistic Approaches and Devices
- Dramatic Irony
- Naturalism vs. Realism
- Speaker
- Attitude
- Conflict (Internal & External)
- Scientific method/theories
By Yours Truly
Erin Dickman, Perri Rabbitt, and Lindsey Tart