Naturalism in Literature: Defining Features and Impact

Understanding Naturalism: A Literary Movement

Origins and Core Principles of Naturalism

Naturalism is a significant literary current that developed during the last third of the nineteenth century, primarily in France. It was championed by the renowned novelist Émile Zola, who asserted that literature, much like the natural sciences, should become another science. Its object of study was to be the social environment. Naturalist literature aimed to analyze human behavior scientifically, rigorously following the principles of observation and experimentation.

This approach was premised on the idea that humanity was not truly free, but rather determined biologically and socially. Individuals were seen as conditioned by their genetic heritage and the social environment in which they existed. This perspective explains the naturalists' profound interest in depicting miserable, marginalized, or afflicted individuals—such as alcoholics, brutalized characters, or victims of various diseases. These cases allowed them to better demonstrate the powerful influence of biology and the social environment on human lives.

Key Characteristics of Naturalist Literature

• Linear Narrative Structure

  Events in Naturalist works tend to occur in a linear progression in time. While flashbacks or recounting past episodes are not uncommon, they only temporarily interrupt the main narrative thread.

• Extremely Detailed Descriptions

  Descriptions in Naturalist novels are exceptionally detailed. This meticulous attention to detail allows for the capture of specific features of numerous characters, often sufficient to distinguish them individually. This explains the abundance of both physical and meticulous psychological portraits.

• Authentic Use of Colloquial Language

  Naturalism employs language that closely mirrors everyday conversation, elevating it to the status of literary expression. Authors meticulously adapt the language to their characters, ensuring they speak according to their social standing, geographical origin, or unique personal particularities.

• Impersonal and Objective Narration

  Technically, a key feature of Naturalism is its extreme realism. Just as a scientist's role was to present and analyze facts, the novelist was expected to act similarly: they should not intervene in the narrative. This defended the ideal of an impersonal and objective narrator, presenting events without overt authorial commentary.