Realism and Naturalism Background

Realism and Naturalism Background
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation
Realism involves displaying the real-life situation as it looks. Realists had one motive in common which was to truthfully represent the contemporary life in literature (Lehan, 2005). They were able to show that even those living an ordinary life were part of the society and deserved rights. The period that the term evolved was a period of significant changes where industrialization, significant political and social changes were taking place, and a way had to be found to represent them in literature. The period was characterized by end of social classes and diminishing of power from the aristocrats to attain democracy and equality among the people. In literature, the writers were required to leave their personality behind to achieve the realness that was needed and illustrate it fully. The plots represented in the works were those of simple or those less essential life incidents.
Naturalism came to life as a result of realism. The writers were required to picture themselves as experimental scientists and not just as writers (Lehan, 2005). Naturalism viewed characters as prisoners of their own lives and the ways that they chose to follow to live a successful life. According to the naturalists, the effects of the most natural environment could be felt more by the lowest social class as compared to other classes. The lowest social class gave way to the innermost depths which was facilitated by the people in this class who were mostly casual workers.

Naturalism exposed people to the harshest form of nature that one can think of which made the community appreciate those people living in such conditions. It resulted mostly from the significant scientific discoveries which were happening in the period around the 1870s. The discoveries required those taking part to have a connection with the natural environment for them to make the best and most valid conclusions.
Reference
Lehan, R. D. (2005). Realism and Naturalism: The Novel in an age of Transition. Univ of Wisconsin Press.