Comparison of Naturalism and Realism in Literature

Naturalism is a literary genre that began its motion in the nineteenth century in film, theater, art, and literature. This motion managed to make an impact in character’s role in their family, public environment and personality traits. As a result, writers began to make the characters surroundings a major key factor on how a character may act upon different situations. Naturalism would not be considered it’s on genre. Naturalism and “new” realism are very similar however at the same time different. The two terms can bring different aspects in a author’s stories that may allow readers to understand and be capable to distinguish between the two terms. Realism focuses more on the “hard-truth” of life. Realism is used to stress the reality and morality of a person life and how a person takes upon the challenge of life without using imagery or figurative language, similar to similes and metaphors. This type of realism make readers more intrigued on the character’s story and how they will overcome adversity. Realism is very important in today’s literature world. Many authors have learned this way of writing and has thrived in this portion of literature. Naturalism basically is the assumption that everything happens for a reason. A person may not be able to escape fate rather fate will face you at any moment given in one’s lifetime. Naturalism has left a big impact on the literary world. It is also used and have made author’s stories more interesting to read. Naturalism may include the failures one may have in their life, such as racism, disease, death and outspoken rudeness. Although it may seem negative there is a reason for the downside of life. In these type of stories the reader will realize that these story are written to better the future and make this world more of a peaceful place to live in. Naturalism and the term “new” realist are very similar literary movements. Both movements made a tremendous effect that ruled the literary world. Without each term the literary world would be chaos and today’s writing structure would be completed different in many differ ways. So naturalism is a derivative term because without “new” realism a reader may not be able to spot key components in an author’s story.

Theodore Dreiser has an outstanding example of realism in his story “Sister Carrie”, that helps a reader identify what type of author he is. On pg. 597 he states, “When Caroline Meeber boarded the afternoon train for Chicago her total outfit consisted of a small trunk, which was checked in the baggage car, a cheap imitation alligator skin satchel holding some minor details of the toilet, a small lunch in a paper box and a yellow leather snap purse, containing her ticket, a scrap of paper with her sister’s address in Van Buren Street, and four dollars in money.” If the reader attentively read this part of the passage, the reader would realize all the contemptuous adjectives Dreiser is using, such as small, cheap , snap, and scrap. These derogative terms helps the reader to picture the character and also make a connection between the reader and character. Also it contributes tons of background to the reader to make it more clear why a character act and perform the way they do.

Realism again is used by Henry James in his story “Daisy Miller”. In this story a young man named Winterbourne meets a rich pretty American girl named Daisy Miller in a resort town of Vevey, Switzerland who is traveling with her young brother and mother. Winterbourne becomes captivated with Daisy because of how different she is from the other European girls. Winterbourne aunt Mrs. Costello heartlessly criticize Daisy Miller by stating to her nephew Winterbourne, “But I really think that you had better not meddle with little American girls that are uncultivated, as you call them. You have lived too long out of the country. You will be sure to make some great mistake. You are to innocent.” This is a great example of realism, reason being, the author is giving straight forward response from Mrs. Costello on how she genuinely feel about the situation with her nephew Winterbourne and the American girl Daisy Miller. An additional example of realism in this story is a dialogue between Winterbourne and Daisy, “I am afraid your habits are those of a flirt,” said Winterbourne gravely. “Of course they are,” she cried, giving him her little smiling stare again. “I’m a fearful, frightful flirt! Did you ever hear of a nice girl that was not? But I suppose you will tell me now that I am not a nice girl.” “You’re a very nice girl, but I wish you would flirt with me, and me only,” said Winterbourne. This discussion between the two characters was very impactful towards Winterbourne because he obtained a true glimpse of Daisy feelings towards him. At the end of the story Daisy becomes very ill and ends up dying. Her death also made the assumption that naturalism is also part of the story because she soon regrets her decision at the end of her lifetime. Before she died she left a message for Winterbourne that she told Mrs. Miller stating, “She told me to tell you that she was never engaged to that handsome Italian. I am sure I am very glad; Mr. Giovanelli hasn’t been near us since she was taken ill. I thought he was so much of a gentleman; but I don’t call that very polite!” This is a very unfortunate ending that could of went in a completely different direction. However, this story magnifies how actions of a character can deeply impacted one’s life.

Naturalism is simpler to identify in an author story. Naturalism builds the character role and how a character may react in different situations. Case in point, Booker T. Washington was a slave who conquered many battles in his lifetime to become one of the most influential African-Americans authors of his lifetime. From 1865 to 1872, Washington worked as a salt packer, coal miner, and a house servant while attending school in the off-hours. After much dedication and grit, Washington graduated from Hampton in 1875. This was the beginning of the many great achievements and great tasks he soon accomplish later in life. Washington additionally help build and became principle at Tuskegee Institute, a school established byt he Alabama legislature to train African American men and women in agricultural and mechanical trades and teaching .In Booker T Washington story “Up From Slavery”, Washington is a well-respected man who gained influence on numerous notable people. After giving a great speech at the Atlanta Cotton Exposition, Washington was cheered by many, even Governor Bullock and other eminent white males were impressed on his great put together speech. Also later on after giving the speech and receiving encouraging feedback Washington receives a letter from President Grover Cleveland and becomes very acquainted with him. Washington also states that President Grover Cleveland contributes in the making of Tuskegee. This story relates to naturalism because a reader can sense the fight and motivation Washington had to want more for himself and those around him.

Sarah Orne Jewett was born in South Berwick, Maine. Jewett and her two sisters had great childhoods. Jewett loved her father and would accompany him on business trips. As time goes on Jewett mother passed and it was tough without her. Though after her mother death, Jewett admitted to editor and friend Thomas Bailey Aldrich, that “I never felt so near to my mother as I have since she died.” After years passed Jewett became part of a circle of prominent writers, artists, and editors who lived in or near Boston. In “A White Heron” a little girl named Sylvia meets a hunter who is looking for a rare bird. Sylvia recognizes the bird that the hunter is looking for but she does not want to be the reason the bird dies. The hunter offers money if she can help find the bird, yet the little girl is still hesitant. Wondering off by herself one day Sylvia climbs a tree and spots the rare bird. Sylvia decides on not telling the hunter what she saw and he becomes disappointed and leaves. Now Sylvia ponders on if this was the right decision or not. This relates to Naturalism because Sylvia became attached to natures many beauty and could not help commit such of an act.

Naturalism and realism has a great way of coming together and making stories connects. Even though the terms have differences, the two terms will always lean on each other and make stories and novel more comprehensible to a reader. Realism and naturalism are closely associated terms in American literary history, terms that authors, editors, and critics used in the late nineteenth century and earlier twentieth centuries. Sometimes they are used interchangeably; sometimes they appear as opposites. Because they are so close alike, realism and naturalism can be better understood as a set of attitudes and tendencies rather than as clearly distinct literary periods or categories.