Contextualization

Literature, besides being a form of expression of a people's culture, is also a mirror of society. Each literary movement reflects the reality, aspirations, and challenges of its time. Naturalistic literature emerges in the second half of the 19th century as a reaction to romantic ideals, proposing an objective and scientific approach to reality.

In this stage of our learning, we will address the naturalistic movement in literature. Naturalism is a literary movement characterized by an objective and detailed portrayal of reality, using natural and social sciences to analyze individuals and society. This movement opposes romanticism, which values subjectivism and idealism, and realism, which, although shares with naturalism the objective of portraying reality, does so in a less detailed manner and without rigorous application of science.

Naturalism proposed a literature that represented reality objectively, seeking a faithful representation of human behavior and social phenomena, exploring themes such as poverty, labor exploitation, alcoholism, prostitution, and various other social ills, often considered taboo.

Importance and Application in the Real World

Studying Naturalism goes beyond knowing a literary movement. It is understanding how literature can be an instrument of reflection and social transformation. Naturalism is emblematic for its narratives that highlight social and human conditions, functioning as a magnifying glass that amplifies social inequalities and injustices. It is an invitation to reflect on how our actions, our environment, and our heredity influence who we are.

Furthermore, Naturalism brought important contributions to literature, such as a more realistic representation of characters and society and the use of colloquial language, contributions that influenced later literary movements.