Naturalism: Depicting Life Through Scientific Objectivity

Naturalism is a philosophical approach that portrays human life with the objectivity and scientific precision found in the natural sciences. Emerging in the late 19th century as a literary and artistic movement, naturalism sought to depict human beings not as individuals defined by free will or moral choice, but as products of their environment, biology, and social conditions. Unlike romanticism or realism, which often idealized or depicted life with some degree of emotional distance, naturalism aimed to show the raw and sometimes harsh realities of life.

Key to naturalism is the belief that human behavior is shaped by heredity, environment, and social circumstances. The movement sought to explore the darker, often gritty side of human existence, highlighting struggles with poverty, disease, and the influence of social forces over personal fate. Writers and artists working in the naturalistic tradition often emphasized determinism, the idea that human actions and decisions are shaped by forces beyond their control.

The Roots of Naturalism

1. Scientific Influence and the Rise of Determinism

The naturalist movement was influenced by advancements in the natural sciences, particularly Darwin’s theory of evolution and the rise of sociology and psychology. Just as scientists were studying the natural world with increasing precision, naturalist artists and writers sought to depict human life with the same objectivity and rigor.

The scientific developments of the 19th century encouraged thinkers to see human beings as subjects of biological and environmental forces, rather than autonomous agents. Charles Darwin’s groundbreaking work on evolution and natural selection illustrated how the environment plays a crucial role in shaping life. Similarly, sociologists like Emile Durkheim began studying how social structures and conditions influence human behavior. This scientific framework formed the backbone of naturalism.

2. Philosophical and Literary Foundations

Naturalism can be seen as an extension of realism, a literary movement that sought to portray life accurately and without embellishment. While realism focused on ordinary people and events, naturalism took it a step further, incorporating the scientific viewpoint that human beings are largely shaped by biological and social forces. Naturalist writers, influenced by the theories of Darwin and French philosopher Émile Zola, often portrayed human beings as products of their heredity and environment—trapped by circumstances beyond their control.

Émile Zola is often considered the father of naturalism in literature, and his work helped formalize the movement’s principles. In his novels, such as “Germinal” and “Thérèse Raquin”, Zola explored how poverty, social inequality, and heredity shape the lives of his characters, often leading them to tragic fates. Zola famously argued that literature should serve as a laboratory for observing the influence of environment and biology on human behavior.

Key Features of Naturalism

1. Scientific Objectivity and Observation

Naturalist works are marked by a detached, observational tone, with the author or artist attempting to capture life as it is, without idealization. This scientific approach to art and literature emphasizes precision and detail, much like an experiment or case study. Characters are often depicted in a way that focuses on their physical and psychological traits, with little attention given to personal morality or free will.

The naturalist artist or writer focuses on the external and internal forces that influence characters, whether it’s the oppressive conditions of the environment, the genetic inheritance they receive, or the social class into which they are born. For example, Zola’s characters often find themselves in desperate situations because of factors such as poverty, illness, or class struggle, which leave them little room to act freely or ethically.

2. The Role of Environment and Heredity

One of the core tenets of naturalism is the belief that human behavior is largely determined by external forces. In this worldview, people are products of their environment and genetic inheritance. Writers and artists working within this tradition show how characters are often trapped by circumstances such as poverty, class, education, and family background. There is a sense of inevitability in naturalistic works, where characters are unable to escape the conditions that shape their lives.

For example, a naturalist novel might feature a character born into extreme poverty, whose biological inheritance (e.g., a predisposition for alcoholism) and environment (e.g., a toxic family or harsh living conditions) limit their opportunities and choices, resulting in a tragic life.

3. Determinism and Tragedy

Determinism plays a central role in naturalism. Unlike in traditional literature, where characters might experience growth or redemption, naturalist stories often have tragic endings because the characters’ lives are shaped by factors beyond their control. The naturalist hero (if one can be called a hero) typically struggles against forces they cannot overcome, and their efforts to change or improve their circumstances are usually futile.

For instance, in naturalist literature, characters often seem to be doomed by their inherited traits or by the social and environmental conditions they face. As a result, these stories can carry a sense of pessimism, as they highlight the harsh realities of life and the limited agency of individuals.

Naturalism in Literature and Art

1. Literary Naturalism

In literature, naturalism was popularized in the late 19th and early 20th centuries by writers such as Stephen Crane, Frank Norris, and Jack London, in addition to Zola. These authors were concerned with the way that environment, heredity, and social structures influence individuals. They depicted characters facing grim situations, often with tragic results, and explored issues such as poverty, violence, and survival.

• Stephen Crane: His novel “The Red Badge of Courage” captures the emotional and physical turmoil of a soldier during the American Civil War. Crane’s work, though not explicitly naturalistic, is heavily influenced by naturalist principles, focusing on the psychological forces that drive individuals during war and survival.
• Jack London: London’s works, such as “The Call of the Wild”, explore the struggle of humans and animals against the brutal forces of nature. His characters are often shaped by their harsh environments and must rely on their instincts to survive.

2. Naturalism in Art

In visual art, naturalism focuses on accurately representing the world, often with a focus on the human form and natural landscapes. Artists in the 19th century, such as Jean-François Millet and Gustave Courbet, depicted scenes of everyday life, including rural labor, poverty, and social inequality, with a focus on realistic detail. Like the naturalist writers, they were committed to portraying life as it really was, with little idealization or romanticization.

The Realist and Naturalist movements in art rejected the dramatic emotionalism of earlier movements like Romanticism and instead aimed to depict subjects truthfully, even if that meant focusing on uncomfortable or unsettling aspects of life. The gritty realism of these works reflects the naturalist belief that art should serve as a means of observing and depicting the world as it truly is.

The Legacy of Naturalism

1. Influence on Modern Literature

While the naturalist movement has faded in prominence, its influence can still be seen in contemporary literature and cinema. Writers like John Steinbeck in “The Grapes of Wrath” and Richard Wright in “Native Son” explored themes of social inequality, race, and poverty, much in the spirit of naturalism. The portrayal of characters as products of their environments and social circumstances remains a key feature of literature focused on social issues and systemic inequality.

2. Impact on Modern Media

In cinema, particularly in the neo-realism of the mid-20th century, the naturalist ethos of depicting life with objectivity and stark realism carried on in films that focused on the struggles of ordinary people. Movies like “The Bicycle Thief” and “The Grapes of Wrath” are examples of how the naturalist approach to storytelling was adapted to the visual medium.

Conclusion: The Power of Naturalism in Understanding Human Nature

Naturalism offers a powerful lens through which we can examine human behavior, society, and the forces that shape our lives. By portraying the complexities of heredity, environment, and social forces, naturalist writers and artists challenge us to confront the harsh realities of life, often depicting the struggle of individuals trapped by forces beyond their control.

While naturalism may not offer the optimism or moral uplift found in other literary movements, it provides an unflinching look at the world, revealing the ways in which we are shaped by circumstances—and sometimes, how we are powerless to escape them. Through this lens, naturalism continues to influence how we think about human nature, society, and the role of the individual in an often indifferent world.