Here's why:
* Naturalism focuses on depicting life realistically, emphasizing the influence of heredity and environment on characters. It often portrays characters as victims of circumstance, trapped by societal forces and biological drives.
* Stockton was known for his whimsical, humorous, and often fantastical stories. His work is characterized by:
* Humor and satire: He used wit and absurdity to explore social and human foibles.
* Fantasy and the supernatural: He incorporated elements of magic, the fantastic, and the unexpected.
* Intriguing plots and twists: He enjoyed playing with narrative conventions, creating surprise endings and unexpected situations.
Some of Stockton's famous stories, like "The Lady or the Tiger?" and "The Casting Away of Mrs. Lecks and Mrs. Aleshine," are filled with imaginative scenarios and characters that defy straightforward naturalistic representation.
While naturalism aims to be realistic and bleak, Stockton's work is playful, imaginative, and often optimistic. His focus lies on entertaining and engaging the reader through clever storytelling and humorous observations.