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Naturalist Movement in American Literature

Introduction

Naturalism, a literary movement, is a logical outgrowth of literary Realism. This expression or perception is evident in the works of Stephen crane's an open boat and Jack London's “to build a fire”. The similarities that fit these stories in the naturalistic movement, in American literature, during the 18th century are primarily indifference of environment, or man vs. nature conflict, determinism or free of will and intellect usage for survival.

Discussion

The story that signifies the role of the universe on the human is considered to be a story possessing literary naturalism, portraying universe as indifferent and uncaring, lack of human will and nature as a determinant factor, and the human intellect usage for survival (The American novel, 2007, pp. 1). All three similarities or characteristics of naturalist movement in American literature are evident in the stories.

Indifference of environment

The naturalistic movement in American literature encompasses the universe is completely undaunted of human activities, reactions or will, an environment in which man is bound to live, irrespective of its indifferent attitude. The naturalist approach is reflected when the characters in the story confront the unconcerned universe. In the story, open boat, the four men in boat confronted the relentless sea waves, but the nature's indifferent and uncaring attitude continues towards the men, inconsiderate of their will. The men were desperate condition, but the universe (sea waves) did not show any sensitivity towards the human will and how they might be affected by the harsh environment. Crane pictures universe as indifferent and unforgiving as he states that the unfavorable sea characteristic was that the successive surmounting waves to do something to swamping boats (Crane, 1898, pp. 97). The sea showed no mercy and the waves were relentless towards the men in boat, regardless of the fact that men are exhausted in the battle against universe. Since naturalistic movement primarily focuses on the one of the oldest conflicts in literature, i.e. man vs. nature, in the masterpiece “To build a fire” by Jack London, man was at continuous battle against the merciless cold. The Yukon would be utterly cold without the man, and it shows no concern when the man struggles hard to stay alive. Later man changes his plans from reaching goals for the purpose of staying alive (London, 1908).

Intellect for survival

The naturalistic movement in the American literature propagates that ...