As a literature expert, I am well-versed in the various schools of thought that have shaped the literary landscape over the centuries. One such influential movement is naturalism, which emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a response to the prevailing romantic and idealistic views of the time. Naturalism, as a literary movement, is characterized by several key features that distinguish it from other literary approaches.

Naturalism is a movement in literature that seeks to depict life and human experiences as they are, without romanticizing or idealizing them. It is a reflection of the belief that individuals are shaped by their environment, heredity, and social conditions, and that they have limited control over their own destinies. Here are some of the major characteristics of naturalism:


1. Realism: Naturalist works are often characterized by a detailed and unembellished representation of reality. The movement emphasizes the mundane and the harsh aspects of life, rather than the ideal or the beautiful.


2. Narrative Detachment: Naturalist authors tend to maintain a certain distance from their characters, presenting them as products of their circumstances rather than as individuals with unique personalities or free will.


3. Determinism: A central tenet of naturalism is the belief that people's lives are largely predetermined by forces beyond their control. This includes social, economic, and biological factors that dictate the course of their lives.


4. Pessimism: Naturalist literature often portrays a bleak and hopeless view of the world. It suggests that humans are at the mercy of their circumstances and that there is little room for optimism or happiness.


5. Social Environment: The social context in which characters live is a critical element in naturalist fiction. It is believed that society and its structures have a profound impact on individuals' lives.


6. Heredity and Human Nature: Naturalism posits that human behavior is largely a result of heredity and that people are driven by instinctual and biological impulses.

7.
Poverty and Struggle: Many naturalist works focus on the lives of the poor and the downtrodden, highlighting the struggles they face in a society that offers them few opportunities for improvement.

8.
Survival: The theme of survival is prevalent in naturalist literature, with characters often fighting against the odds to stay alive or maintain some semblance of dignity.

9.
Lack of Individual Agency: Characters in naturalist fiction rarely have the power to change their circumstances or to significantly influence the outcome of their lives.

10.
Environmental Influence: The environment is seen as a powerful force that shapes individuals' lives, often in negative ways.

Naturalism, with its stark portrayal of life, offers a counterpoint to more optimistic or romanticized views of human existence. It challenges readers to confront the harsh realities of the world and the limitations of human agency within it.

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Naturalism CharacteristicsNovel. More bigger, more better. ... Narrative Detachment. Keep those characters at arms' length, Naturalists. ... Determinism. People don't have much control over their fate in Naturalist fiction. ... Pessimism. The glass is totally half empty, guys. ... Social Environment. ... Heredity and Human Nature. ... Poverty. ... Survival.More items...read more >>