1. Determinism and the Power of Environment: Naturalism emphasizes the influence of heredity and environment on human character and actions, often presenting characters as products of their circumstances with little to no free will.
* Stephen Crane's "The Open Boat": The four men on the lifeboat are at the mercy of the unforgiving sea and the relentless forces of nature. Their survival depends entirely on their physical strength and the unpredictable whims of the environment, highlighting the power of nature over human agency.
* Jack London's "Call of the Wild": Buck, the protagonist, is stripped of his domesticated life and thrust into the harsh Alaskan wilderness. His transformation into a savage, instinct-driven animal is attributed to the primal forces of nature that dominate his existence.
2. Social Darwinism and the Struggle for Survival: Naturalism often reflects the principles of Social Darwinism, portraying life as a brutal struggle for survival where only the strongest and most adaptable individuals succeed.
* Stephen Crane's "Maggie: A Girl of the Streets": Maggie, a young woman trapped in poverty and societal neglect, is driven to prostitution as a means of survival. Her tragic downfall is depicted as a direct consequence of the harsh realities of her environment and the brutal realities of a Darwinian struggle.
* Jack London's "The Iron Heel": The novel explores the class struggle and the relentless pursuit of power by the wealthy elite, who exploit the working class for their own benefit. The depiction of society as a battlefield where only the strongest survive reflects the core tenets of Social Darwinism.
3. Realistic and Often Grim Portrayal of Life: Naturalistic writing is characterized by a focus on realistic and often bleak depictions of life, including violence, poverty, and the darker aspects of human nature.
* Stephen Crane's "The Red Badge of Courage": The novel depicts the brutal reality of war, focusing on the physical and psychological impact of battle on young soldiers. The visceral descriptions of violence and fear create a stark and unflinching portrayal of the horrors of war.
* Jack London's "Martin Eden": This novel presents a stark portrayal of the struggle for success in a society that often rewards only the privileged few. The protagonist, Martin Eden, faces immense challenges, including poverty, rejection, and the harsh realities of the literary world. The novel ultimately portrays the difficult realities of achieving success and the bleakness that can accompany the pursuit of dreams.
These three characteristics - determinism, social Darwinism, and realistic portrayal - form the core of naturalistic literature in America, evident in the works of Stephen Crane and Jack London. While these writers are often categorized as naturalists, they also introduced their own unique perspectives and styles to the genre, pushing the boundaries of realism and exploration of human nature.