Naturalism

Naturalism in literature does not have much at all to do with nature, as the Romantic writers proclaimed it. Rather “natural” instincts were focused on,and nature was usually seen as a negative force, one often opposed to mankind.

Partly because of Charles Darwin’s idea that man evolved from a lower life form, partly because Christian hope had been clouded out by the horrors of war and other terrible things mankind is capable of, partly because of science’s influence on American thought, NATURALISM grew out of REALISM and took it to darker depths.

Writers who tended toward NATURALISM, rather than REALISM, included at least some of the characteristics below in their stories:

The characters are often of the poorer classes, especially those who live on the fringes of mainstream culture.
They are usually struggling against cultural, social, and physical forces that are much stronger than they are.
Nature seems to be indifferent or hostile to the characters.
Heredity and determinism often prevent these characters from exercising free will or controlling their lives.
If God is present at all in the plot, He is indifferent or toying with mankind, whimsically allowing misfortune and tragedy.

Popular naturalist writers were Emile Zola (French), Stephen Crane (American author of The Red Badge of Courage), Jack London, and Edith Wharten.