Naturalism and realism are two literary movements that were popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. While they have some similarities, they also have some important differences.
Naturalism is a literary movement that emphasizes the role of nature and the natural world in shaping human behavior and experiences. Naturalistic writers often depict characters as being driven by their instincts and desires, and their stories often focus on the harsh realities of life, such as poverty, crime, and violence. Naturalistic writers often believe that human beings are at the mercy of natural forces and that free will is an illusion.
Realism, on the other hand, is a literary movement that emphasizes the depiction of everyday life and the accurate representation of social, political, and economic conditions. Realistic writers often strive to create characters and situations that are true to life, and they often depict ordinary people in ordinary situations. Realistic writers often believe that human beings have the ability to make their own choices and shape their own lives, and they often use their writing to critique social and political issues.
One key difference between naturalism and realism is the role of the natural world in shaping human behavior. Naturalistic writers often see nature as a powerful force that shapes human behavior, while realistic writers tend to see human behavior as being shaped more by social, cultural, and economic forces.
Another difference between the two movements is their focus on the individual versus society. Naturalistic writers often depict characters as being driven by their own desires and instincts, while realistic writers tend to focus more on the ways in which individuals are shaped by the society they live in.
Finally, naturalistic writers often depict characters as being trapped by their circumstances, while realistic writers often depict characters as having the ability to make choices and shape their own lives.
In conclusion, while naturalism and realism are both literary movements that focus on the depiction of everyday life and the representation of social, political, and economic conditions, they have some important differences. Naturalism emphasizes the role of nature in shaping human behavior and often depicts characters as being driven by their instincts and desires, while realism emphasizes the role of social, cultural, and economic forces and often depicts characters as having the ability to make their own choices and shape their own lives.