Exploring Naturalism: A Journey through Scientific and Deterministic Literature

Objectives

1. Characterize the naturalist movement and differentiate it from romanticism and realism.

2. Learn about the characteristics of the main naturalist writers.

Contextualization

The naturalist movement, which emerged in the late 19th century, reflects a more scientific and deterministic view of reality. Through an objective and detailed analysis, naturalist authors explored the darkest and cruelest aspects of the human condition, often addressing themes such as heredity, environment, and social influences on individuals. For example, Émile Zola, one of the main writers of Naturalism, compared his writing method to that of a scientist conducting experiments. This perspective allows for a deeper and more realistic understanding of behaviors and social relationships, distinguishing it from romantic idealism and the impartial observation of realism.

Relevance of the Theme

The study of Naturalism is relevant in today's context, as the themes addressed by naturalists, such as the influence of environment and heredity on human behavior, continue to be discussed in various fields such as psychology, sociology, and even data science. Moreover, the ability to critically analyze and observe in detail developed through the study of Naturalism is highly valued in the job market, especially in fields that require investigation and precise interpretation.

Origin and Historical Context of Naturalism

Naturalism emerged in the late 19th century as a branch of Realism, influenced by the advancement of natural and social sciences. This literary movement sought to portray reality objectively and scientifically, addressing themes such as heredity, determinism, and social influences on human behavior.

• Influence of natural and social sciences.

• Search for an objective and scientific representation of reality.

• Central themes: heredity, determinism, and social influences.

Characteristics of the Naturalist Movement

Naturalist authors were distinguished by their detailed and objective analysis of reality, portraying the dark and cruel aspects of the human condition. Naturalist narrative is marked by determinism, where characters' behavior is influenced by biological and social factors.

• Detailed and objective analysis of reality.

• Portrayal of the dark and cruel aspects of the human condition.

• Determinism: influence of biological and social factors on characters' behavior.

Differences between Naturalism, Realism, and Romanticism

While Romanticism prioritizes subjectivity and idealism, Realism and Naturalism seek to portray reality with greater objectivity. Realism focuses on the impartial observation of facts, while Naturalism delves into scientific and deterministic analysis, addressing the darker aspects of human existence.

• Romanticism: subjectivity and idealism.

• Realism: impartial observation of reality.

• Naturalism: scientific and deterministic analysis, with a focus on dark aspects of human existence.

Practical Applications

• Investigative Journalism: The detailed and objective analysis of reality, characteristic of Naturalism, is essential for investigative journalism, where precise and thorough investigation of facts is crucial.
• Psychology: Understanding the hereditary and environmental factors that influence human behavior, addressed by Naturalism, is fundamental in psychological practice.
• Data Analysis: The ability to observe in detail and interpret precisely, developed through the study of Naturalism, is highly valued in fields involving data analysis.

Key Terms

• Naturalism: A literary movement of the late 19th century that seeks to portray reality in a scientific and objective manner, addressing themes such as heredity, determinism, and social influences.

• Determinism: A central concept in Naturalism suggesting that human behavior is determined by biological and social factors.

• Heredity: A recurring theme in Naturalism that explores how biological and genetic characteristics influence the behavior of individuals.

Questions

• How can the deterministic view of Naturalism be observed in today's society?

• In what ways are hereditary and environmental factors still relevant in contemporary discussions about human behavior and social inequality?

• How can the skills of critical analysis and detailed observation developed through the study of Naturalism be applied in your future professional career?

Conclusion

To Reflect

Throughout this lesson, we explored the naturalist movement, one of the most fascinating and complex periods in literature. Naturalism offers us a lens through which we can observe the human condition objectively and scientifically, highlighting the influence of hereditary and environmental factors on individuals' behavior. This perspective allows for a deeper understanding of social relationships and human behaviors, bringing to light questions that remain extremely relevant in contemporary society. The ability to critically analyze and observe in detail, characteristics developed through the study of Naturalism, are valuable not only for literary analysis but also for various professional fields. We hope this journey through Naturalism has provided an enriching and critical view of reality, encouraging reflection and the practical application of learned concepts.

Mini Challenge - Creation of a Naturalist Microfiction

Practical challenge to consolidate understanding of Naturalism through the creation of a microfiction that reflects the characteristics of the literary movement.

• Divide into groups of 3 to 4 students.
• Choose a theme relevant to Naturalism, such as poverty, addiction, or violence.
• Create a short narrative that explores the chosen theme, incorporating the characteristics of Naturalism.
• The microfiction should be a maximum of 200 words and must be written in an objective and detailed manner.
• Use precise descriptions and highlight elements of determinism and social influences.
• Present the microfiction to the class and explain how you incorporated naturalist elements into your writing.