PROJECT BASED LEARNING
Realism and Naturalism In US 19th Century Literature
May 2025
1. Warm up:
In groups of 4, write two paragraphs narrating the morning routine of a 19th century worker.
The first one focused on his routine, appearance and personality, keeping it neutral.
The second one, focused on the worker’s struggles, the harsh environment and poverty.
2. Lead-in: Questions
Have you noticed any differences between the texts?
Naturalism: A literary movement that emerged in the late 19th century, naturalism focuses on the
influence of environment, heredity, and social conditions on human behavior. It often portrays
life with a detached, scientific accuracy.
Realism: Emerging in the mid -19th century, realism seeks to depict everyday life and society with
fidelity and truthfulness. It focuses on ordinary characters and events, avoiding the idealization
and romanticization typical of earlier literature.
Khudoyberdiyeva, G. S. (2024). ROMANTICISM: THE LITERATURE OF NATURALISM
AND REALISM. International Scientific and Current Research Conferences, 1(01), 115–117.
3. Diagnostic assessment:
Read these two excerpts.
Which one would you say is realism and which one naturalism?
When she abandoned herself a little whispered If I am going to be drowned—if I am going to be
word escaped her slightly parted lips. She said it drowned—if I am going to be drowned, why, in
over and over under her breath: 'free, free, free!' the name of the seven mad gods who rule the
The vacant stare and the look of terror that had sea, was I allowed to come thus far and
followed it went from her eyes. They stayed keen contemplate sand and trees?
and bright. Her pulses beat fast, and the coursing When it occurs to a man that nature does not
blood warmed and relaxed every inch of her body. regard him as important, and that she would not
maim the universe by disposing of him, he at
She knew that she would weep again when she
first wishes to throw bricks at the temple... Any
saw the kind, tender hands folded in death; the
visible expression of nature would surely be
face that had never looked save with love upon
pelleted with his jeers.
her, fixed and gray and dead. But she saw beyond
Crane, S. (1897). The open boat. In The open boat and other tales
that bitter moment a long procession of years to
of adventure. Doubleday & McClure Co.
come that would belong to her absolutely. And
she opened and spread her arms out to them in
welcome.
Chopin, K. (1894). The story of an hour. In P. Seyersted (Ed.), The
complete works of Kate Chopin (pp. 352–354). Louisiana State
University Press.
4. Theory:
REALISM:
Focuses on depicting life accurately and objectively without an overarching philosophical framework.
Often centers on middle-class life and the moral complexities of ordinary individuals.
Employs detailed, objective descriptions and complex character development.
Themes on realism
Societal Influence, Moral Ambiguity, Class Struggle.
Notable Authors
Mark Twain: “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. ”
Henry James: “The Portrait of a Lady.”
Kate Chopin: “The Story of an Hour.”
REALISM NATURALISM
Detailed descrpitions Determinism
Complex Characters Objective Narration
Social Commentary Pessimistic Viewpoint
Ordinary Settings
NATURALISM:
Emphasizes determinism and the influence of environment and heredity on human behavior.
Typically explores the lives of people in extreme situations, emphasizing the struggle for survival.
Uses a more clinical, detached tone, often with a focus on the darker aspects of human existence.
Themes on naturalism
Survival and Fate, Nature's Indifference, Impact of Environment.
Notable Authors
Stephen Crane: “The Red Badge of Courage.”
Theodore Dreiser: “Sister Carrie.”
Jack London: “The Call of the Wild.”
When Frank Norris declared in 1896 that ‘ terrible things must happen to the characters in the
naturalistic tale. They must be twisted from the ordinary… and flung into the throes of a vast and
terrible drama that works itself out in unleashed passions, in blood, and in sudden death’ (Norris
1107).
Campbell, D. (2011), American Literary Naturalism: Critical Perspectives. Literature Compass, 8: 499-513.
5. Controlled practice:
Crane, S. (2000). Maggie: A girl of the streets (M. J. Parisi, Ed.). Bedford/St. Martin’s.
(Original work published 1893)
Is it a novel or a novela?
What does the narration create?
What is it characterized by?
What do we know about the characters?
Naturalism or realism?
What does the title really mean?
Analysis:
Context
Narration and tone
Themes
Structure
Summary
Symbolism