Naturalism and Realism in Literature

Paper Summary:

The paper relates that naturalism and realism are two closely related literary movements that focus on the unique human experience. The paper examines Stephen Crane's "Maggie: A Girl of the Streets" and "The Red Badge of Courage" as well as John Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men" and "The Grapes of Wrath" and shows how they are symbols of the naturalist literary movement. The paper highlights how naturalistic thinking is more pessimistic and is tied to thoughts that individuals are not in control of their environment. The paper then looks at Mark Twain's "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" as an example of the realistic literary movement that deals with similar types of issues without delving so deeply into the dark areas of life.

From the Paper:

"Naturalism and Realism are two movements of American literature that explore the human experience. Naturalism literature is often slightly darker in nature than Realism literature. Realism is similar to Naturalism in that it attempts to explore the human experience. In the Naturalist world, people are often controlled by their environment and become victims of circumstance. From this perspective, free will does not play a significant role in the characters' lives. Characters are not simplified nor are they exaggerated. Social conditions are important aspects of Naturalist literature as they are with Realistic literature. Realism focuses on characters and their experience - keeping that experience as close to the character's real experience as possible."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Crane, Stephen. Maggie, A Girl of the Streets. New York: Random House. 2001.
• ---. The Red Badge of Courage. New York: Aerie Books Ltd. 1986.
• Steinbeck, John. Of Mice and Men and Cannery Row. New York: Penguin Books. 1986.
• Clemens, Samuel. "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn." The Heath Anthology of American Literature. Lauter, Paul, ed. Lexington: D. C. Heath and Company. 1990.

More papers on Naturalism and Realism in Literature:

• Analytical Essay # 1667 : "The Beginning of Modernism in Literature After World War I"
• Analytical Essay # 56244 : "Effi Briest" and Realism"
• Analytical Essay # 24885 : "Naturalism Movement In Literature"

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