What Specific Literary Techniques Do Naturalist Authors Use To Depict The Lives Of Working-class Characters During The Industrial Revolution?
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Introduction
Naturalism in literature is a significant literary movement that arose as a reaction to realism, primarily during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This movement emphasizes a scientific and deterministic approach to character development and environmental impact. Naturalist authors skillfully depict the harsh and often unforgiving realities faced by the working class, employing various literary techniques to illustrate the struggles and social conditions affecting their characters.
Characterization in Naturalism
Naturalist authors are renowned for their meticulous characterization, where characters are profoundly shaped by their environment, heredity, and social conditions. These protagonists often encounter formidable obstacles imposed by socioeconomic challenges, which deeply influence their decisions and lifestyles.
- Characters frequently emerge as victims of their circumstances, battling against uncontrollable societal forces.
- Authors often include comprehensive backstories to demonstrate how environmental factors and genetics distinctly influence character development and life choices.
The Role of Descriptive Imagery
Naturalist literature is characterized by vivid and often stark descriptive imagery. Authors utilize strong visual elements to portray urban landscapes, focusing on problems such as pollution, overcrowded tenements, and the relentless toil of working-class existence.
- Descriptions of factories, heavy with smoke and noise, evoke a sense of despair and hardship that permeates the narrative.
- Naturalist writers often juxtapose dark and oppressive settings with their characters' aspirations, underscoring the futility of hope in seeking a better life.
Understanding Determinism in Naturalism
A core principle of naturalism is the concept of determinism, where characters’ destinies are influenced by factors outside their control. This idea profoundly affects the structure and resolution of naturalist narratives.
- Characters often face tragic fates, reinforcing the view that their struggles are predetermined by the harsh realities of society and their environment.
- The application of social Darwinism in naturalist literature highlights the brutal realities of survival within the lower classes, showcasing the extreme nature of 'survival of the fittest'.
Social Commentary in Naturalist Literature
Naturalist authors frequently weave incisive social commentary into their narratives, emphasizing the injustices endured by the working class. This critique aims to engage readers and advocate for social reform.
- Plot developments reveal the exploitation of laborers and highlight moral dilemmas within society, exposing deep inequalities in wealth and power.
- Naturalism often illustrates the lack of social mobility, suggesting that diligence does not guarantee success or improvement of one’s circumstances.
Conclusion
By employing techniques such as comprehensive characterization, impactful descriptive imagery, the motif of determinism, and insightful social commentary, naturalist authors vividly portray the difficult realities faced by working-class characters during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These literary strategies not only immerse readers in the narratives but also prompt them to consider enduring social issues that resonate today.
Expert Quote
Dr. Richard Stang, Professor of English at Harvard University
Naturalist literature exposes the relentless struggle of individuals against societal forces, emphasizing how environment and heredity create unyielding barriers for the working class during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The Naturalist Movement in American Literature, Cambridge University Press, 2019
Relevant Links
Naturalism - (Art and Literature) - Vocab, Definition, Explanations ...
https://fiveable.me/key-terms/art-and-literature/naturalismSocial realism | American Literature – 1860 to Present Class Notes ...
https://library.fiveable.me/american-literature-since-1860/unit-5/social-realism/study-guide/UH6ZTdGgplmoCxMgRealist and Naturalist fiction | English Literature – 1850 to 1950 ...
https://fiveable.me/literature-in-english-the-mid-19th-through-the-mid-20th-century/unit-2/realist-naturalist-fiction/study-guide/g2Bf2X6QJXvHemNLNaturalism | American Literature – 1860 to Present Class Notes ...
https://library.fiveable.me/american-literature-since-1860/unit-1/naturalism/study-guide/hzDBa0v79YV2NeWHRealism in Literature | Overview & Writers - Lesson | Study.com
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