Realism and Naturalism in Literature: A Detailed Overview
General Characteristics of Realism
Definition and Origin
Realism emerged as a movement opposed to Romanticism and sought to portray reality in art as closely and truthfully as possible. It originated in France in the early 19th century with authors like Balzac and Stendhal, and was further developed by Flaubert. In Spain, the rise of Realism coincided with historical events, emerging around 1870 after “The Glorious Revolution” and reaching its peak in the 1880s before declining in the 1900s.
The Realist Mindset
In mid-19th century Europe, a new current of thought prevailed, combining ideas with a different worldview. This new thinking was based on scientific and philosophical principles:
- Positivism: This philosophy considered only what could be observed and experienced as true.
- Theories of biological inheritance.
- Theories of the evolution of species (Darwin).
- Psychology: Significant advancements were made, suggesting that the soul and feelings could and should be studied scientifically.
- Sociology (Study of Societies): Society could be studied as a complex organism.
The term “Realism” refers to the literary movement that developed in the second half of the 19th century, characterized by the objective representation of reality. In this sense, Realism is closely linked to the social events of this period, particularly the rise of the bourgeoisie, which gained economic and social power, becoming the ruling class. This movement is based on scientific principles, with observation as its primary method.
Characteristics of Realism
Since Realism aims to reflect external reality as it is, the novel became its most cultivated literary genre. It is in this genre that the fundamental characteristics of this literary current are most apparent:
- Focus on the external world: It emphasizes objective, fair, and accurate depiction.
- Focus on contemporary society: Authors concentrate on the familiar reality, resulting in descriptions of the society they lived in.
- Direct observation and documentation: Writers employ meticulous observation, note-taking, and thorough research.
- Accurate portrayal of environments and characters: Writers realistically depict both settings (customs, places, clothes, etc.) and characters.
- Abundant descriptions.
- Objective and impersonal authorial attitude: Authors act as neutral observers, often employing a third-person narrator.
- Natural style and language: Language is adapted to the characters’ situations and living conditions, ranging from cultured to popular and even vulgar.
- Varied themes: Politics, work, life in slums, etc.
- Moralizing and critical intention: The purely aesthetic intention of Romantic authors gives way to a focus on moral and social critique.
- Preference for the novel: This genre allows for detailed analysis of the aspects that concern the author.
Common Features in the Realist Novel
Realist writers rely on observation and documentation to reflect reality and society with the aim of transforming it. This explains the emergence of two opposing ideological trends within the movement. On one hand, conservatives favored a return to a pre-industrial world, defending rural life and portraying its realities. On the other hand, liberals advocated for the prevailing industrial society but sought to make it more just and equitable.
Themes
The realist novel often revolves around middle-class life (their behavior, concerns, anxieties, marriages, finances, etc.). However, it also portrays the poorest sectors of urban and rural society. Its characters tend to be individuals (misfits) who confront society and are ultimately defeated by the world around them. They are usually numerous and represent different social classes.
Form
From a formal perspective, the defining feature of the realist novel is the search for verisimilitude. It employs various techniques to achieve this, such as detailed descriptions, characters who evolve throughout the book and appear in several works by the same author. For the same reason, the realist novel blends historical facts with fiction, and real characters with invented ones. The action often takes place in familiar locations, refers to dates that coincide with the time of writing, and features characters who speak in accordance with their social status. Another formal characteristic is the use of an omniscient narrator (acting as a reporter). Apart from traditional narrative and reported speech, dialogue (characterization of characters) and interior monologue (subjectivity) stand out. The style is generally natural.
Naturalism
Naturalism is a literary movement that takes the principles of Realism to their extreme. It sought to apply a scientific method to the portrayal of reality, making observation and experimentation central to its approach. Naturalists concluded that humans are purely material beings with no free will, as their existence is determined by heredity (Mendel) and social conditions. Consequently, naturalistic novels often featured characters who were intellectually disabled, alcoholics, psychopaths, or individuals driven by primal instincts, dominated by their biology or the oppressive society they lived in. Its foundations were laid by the French author Emile Zola, drawing from two scientific and philosophical currents of the time:
- Materialism: This philosophy believes that everything has a physical explanation and denies the existence of a Supreme Being.
- Determinism: This perspective attributes social problems to the environment and individual behavior to biological inheritance.
Naturalistic settings tend to be miserable, populated by characters, many of whom are intellectually disabled, alcoholics, and psychopaths, marked by society or their families. While the realist writer acts as a notary, recording what happens, the naturalist works as a judge, investigating the roots and causes of society’s problems. The language tends to be natural, vulgar, and even obscene.