The Crane And Garland Stories Both Reflect Naturalism Charac

The Crane And Garland Stories Both Reflect Naturalism Characteristic

The Crane and Garland stories both reflect Naturalism characteristics. Using the Naturalism lecture, choose six of the twelve characteristics and explain how each story reflects them. To assist with organization, I recommend that you discuss each story in a separate paragraph. Length of response commiserate with comprehensive application and exploration of the material (usually two typed doubled spaced pages). Remember: your goal in critical analysis is to stay focused on the concepts / characteristics. Write a purpose statement, state and explain a concept, explain how it is apparent, and integrate textual support as appropriate.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Naturalism, as a literary movement, emphasizes a deterministic view of human life, portraying individuals as shaped by environmental and hereditary forces beyond their control. The stories "The Crane" and "Garland" exemplify several key characteristics of Naturalism, illustrating how characters are often powerless against societal, environmental, or biological forces. This paper aims to analyze six of these characteristics—determinism, realism, the influence of environment, the portrayal of violence and tragedy, the depiction of social conditions, and characters' moral ambiguity—to demonstrate how both stories embody the core ideals of Naturalist literature.

Characteristic 1: Determinism

A fundamental aspect of Naturalism is the belief in determinism—the idea that human actions are determined by antecedent factors such as heredity and environment. In "The Crane," the protagonist’s actions are heavily influenced by poverty and social circumstances, limiting his agency and resulting in tragic consequences. Similarly, in "Garland," the character's fate appears preordained by his environment, with his choices seemingly dictated by societal pressures and hereditary traits. Both stories portray characters whose lives are governed by forces beyond their control, emphasizing the Naturalist view that free will is limited.

Characteristic 2: Realism in Detail

Naturalism strives for a realistic depiction of life, emphasizing detailed descriptions of everyday circumstances. "The Crane" presents a vivid portrayal of rural life, focusing on the hardships faced by its characters, including their work, environment, and social interactions. "Garland" also employs detailed settings and dialogues that reflect real social conditions, such as economic struggles and familial relationships. These realistic descriptions serve to ground the stories in authentic experiences, reinforcing Naturalism's emphasis on truthfulness and objectivity.

Characteristic 3: Environment's Influence

In both stories, the environment—whether rural, socio-economic, or cultural—plays a pivotal role in shaping characters’ lives. "The Crane" depicts a rural setting that influences characters’ behaviors and choices, illustrating how environment constrains their opportunities. "Garland" highlights the impact of societal and economic environments on individual destiny, portraying how social conditions limit mobility and shape moral development. Naturalist literature often underscores that environment exerts a powerful, deterministic force on human life, which is clearly exemplified in these stories.

Characteristic 4: Violence and Tragedy

Naturalism often explores themes of violence, suffering, and tragedy as inevitable outcomes of characters’ circumstances. "The Crane" features scenes where characters endure physical and emotional hardship, highlighting the brutal realities of their lives. "Garland" presents tragic elements, including loss and moral decay, underscoring the inescapability of suffering within the social fabric. These portrayals serve to illustrate the harsh realities faced by individuals living within deterministic systems.

Characteristic 5: Social Conditions and Class

Both stories emphasize the significance of social class and conditions in determining characters’ lives. "The Crane" portrays the struggles of rural or lower-class individuals caught in cycles of poverty, emphasizing social disparity. "Garland" reflects the influence of societal expectations and economic challenges, suggesting that social structures heavily influence moral and personal choices. Through these depictions, the stories demonstrate how social conditions act as forces that limit personal agency, aligning with Naturalist principles.

Characteristic 6: Moral Ambiguity and Lack of Free Will

A hallmark of Naturalism is the portrayal of characters as morally ambiguous, often lacking free will due to external influences. In "The Crane," characters are depicted as victims of circumstance, acting instinctively rather than morally decisively. "Garland" likewise presents characters making morally complex decisions shaped by their environment, which challenges notions of free choice. Both stories reinforce the concept that morality is often compromised by external, deterministic forces.

Conclusion

The stories "The Crane" and "Garland" serve as illustrative examples of Naturalist literature by highlighting key characteristics such as determinism, realism, environmental influence, themes of violence and tragedy, social class impact, and moral ambiguity. Through their detailed portrayal of characters and circumstances, these stories convey the bleak worldview inherent to Naturalism—that human lives are ultimately shaped and constrained by forces beyond individual control. Analyzing these characteristics deepens our understanding of how Naturalist writers seek to depict a raw, unvarnished reality of human existence, often emphasizing the struggle against inexorable social and environmental forces.

References

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