Similarities and Differences Between Realism and Naturalism Adapted

Similarities and Differences Between Realism and Naturalism Adapted from a Letter. Pile submission by Sans. Guilt titled: Compare and Contrast: The Similarities and Differences Between Realism and Naturalism

Realism and Naturalism While being two separate literary movements, realism and naturalism have been at times used as interchangeable terms, sharing some deep-running similarities:

1) Both styles are basic, unromanticized views of humanity without being written through the idealized, flattering lense that characterized previous literature. They avoid artificial, fantasy, or supernatural elements.

2. ) Both styles of literature arose during the 19 th century, a time characterized by much turmoil.

3) God is absent from most of the writing in either category, with writers opting for a focus on the real world.

But despite these similarities, these two literary movements are separate for a reason. . .

1) Realism sought to be a faithful representation of life, while naturalism was more like a "chronicle of despair. " In a way, naturalism proceeded from realism, and can be seen as an exaggerated form of realism; it shows humans as being determined by environment, heredity, and social conditions beyond their control, and thus rather helpless to escape their circumstances.

2) Realism focuses on the middle class and its problems. Naturalism often focuses on poorly educated or lower-class characters, as well as themes involving violence and taboo activities.

3) While in realism, faithful representation of reality including the details of nature is important, in Naturalism, nature itself is a force, generally powerful, and indifferent to human condition.

Recap:

Realism: True and Faithful representation of Life Main Focus was on the Middle Class Includes very specific details about surroundings/nature

Naturalism: People possess their traits according to their environment, genetics, and social condition and as such are not in control of their own fate. Revolves around poorly-educated or impoverished characters. Nature is a force of it’s own. It is unchangeable and indifferent to characters within a story. Science not superstition

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