Introduction

Relevance of the Theme

This summary refers to the relevant literary pillar known as Naturalism, which gained strength in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. A current that carries in its lines the force of scientific determinism, pessimism, and commitment to verisimilitude. By studying Naturalist Literature, we dive into an approach that seeks, not without controversy, to portray the raw and gloomy reality of human and social existence. This is a significant thematic evolution, and many of the ideas worked on during this period still echo today.

Contextualization

The Naturalist current emerges as a logical unfolding of Realism, with the French Émile Zola and the Portuguese Eça de Queirós as its main exponents. Delving even deeper into the portrait of society and the human being, naturalists place emphasis on the influence of the environment and hereditary factors in shaping the individual, molding their actions and destinies in an almost irremediable way.

This study is part of the broader context of the Portuguese curriculum for the 2nd year of high school, where students delve into the literary complexities of the fin de siècle, deepening their knowledge about literary schools, their characteristics, and contributions to the development of literature. Thus, an adequate understanding of Naturalism and the nuances that characterize it contribute to the formation of critical and analytical readers, capable of understanding and interpreting different forms of literary expression.

Theoretical Development

Components of Naturalism

• Determinism: This key component of Naturalism manifests in the idea that the human being is a "product" of the environment in which they live, being strongly influenced by their instincts and basic needs, which leads to an unfavorable social environment.
• Experimentalism: Naturalist experimentalism is marked by the use of meticulous details in the description of environments, people, and situations, demonstrating the influence of Positivism, a contemporary philosophical current of naturalist texts.
• Pessimism: The inherent pessimism of Naturalism revolves around the concept that human progress is limited, as humans are, in essence, animal beings subjected to natural laws.
• Verisimilitude: The pursuit of verisimilitude is a striking characteristic of Naturalism. Naturalist authors were concerned with making their plots and characters as truthful as possible, reflecting the social reality of their time.

Key Terms

• Experimentalist attitude: The experimentalist attitude is the pursuit of knowledge through observation and experimentation, which is a striking characteristic of naturalist authors. This attitude demonstrates the influence of Positivism, a contemporary philosophical current of naturalist texts.
• Determinism: A concept that states that human action is the result of previous causes, whether hereditary, physical, social, or psychological. In the naturalist context, determinism is key to understanding how the environment influences the individual.
• Pessimism: A worldview that believes in a predominance of evil, pain, and suffering, which is reflected in the naturalists' perspective on the human condition.
• Verisimilitude: A characteristic of a text that seems true, real, although it is fiction. In the naturalist context, it is the pursuit of portraying reality in a raw and unadorned way.

Examples and Cases

• "O Cortiço" (1890), by Aluísio Azevedo: This Brazilian naturalist classic portrays life in a tenement in Rio de Janeiro, exploring themes such as misery, prejudice, and the struggle for survival. Through determinism, the author demonstrates how the environment influences and shapes the character of the characters.
• "Germinal" (1885), by Émile Zola: Perhaps the epitome of Naturalism, "Germinal" recounts the harsh life of coal miners in 19th-century France. The author uses experimentalism to describe in detail the working and living conditions of the characters, and pessimism to portray the oppression and exploitation of the working class.
• "The Crime of Father Amaro" (1875), by Eça de Queirós: This Portuguese naturalist novel addresses controversial issues of the time, such as corruption in the clergy and societal hypocrisy. The author uses determinism to explore how the environment influences the characters, and verisimilitude to portray the social reality of the time.

Detailed Summary

Relevant Points

• Naturalism as an unfolding of Realism: By understanding that Naturalism is a current that originated from Realism, we understand that the portrait of society and the human being is even deeper and rawer, focusing on determinism and living conditions.
• Determinism in Naturalism: The main factor that influences human action, according to Naturalism, is the environment in which one lives. This view aligns with the philosophical current of determinism, which argues that human action is guided by factors beyond individual control.
• Experimentalism and Pessimism: The use of experimentalism, characterized by meticulous and detailed description, and pessimism, which reflects a gloomy worldview, are fundamental aspects to understand Naturalism and distinguish this school from other literary currents.
• The Search for Verisimilitude: Naturalism is concerned with portraying reality with the utmost fidelity, using characters and settings that could very well exist or have existed. This exaggerated realism is what is called verisimilitude.

Conclusions

• The influence of Naturalism: The ideas and techniques of naturalism had a significant impact on 20th-century literature and are still relevant today for understanding human nature and modern societies.
• Naturalism and society: This literary period provides a critical, sometimes pessimistic, view of society and living conditions. Naturalist literature thus contributes to the analysis and reflection on the human condition and society.
• The importance of context: Naturalism developed in a historical moment marked by great social, scientific, and technological transformations. For a deeper understanding of Naturalism, it is essential to understand this context.

Exercises

1. Text Analysis: Given a passage from a naturalist novel, identify and explain the use of naturalist components (determinism, experimentalism, pessimism, and verisimilitude).
2. Comparison of Works: Compare the book "O Cortiço" by Aluísio Azevedo with the book "Germinal" by Émile Zola. Identify the main similarities and differences in the naturalist approach between these two works.
3. Contextualization: Discuss the influence of the historical context of the late 19th century on the development of Naturalism. How could the social, scientific, and technological changes of this period have influenced the main characteristics of Naturalism?