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The Naturalism and Realism of Mark Twain and Jack London

1. Naturalism and realism of Mark Twain

Mark Twain is one of the most popular representatives of American naturalism. In his works, he reflects the problems of poverty, racism, and social inequality that were so relevant in the USA at the end of the 19th century. The writer was not afraid to show the dark side of American society and human nature. One of the most famous novels by Mark Twain is “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” The book caused a lot of controversy when it was first published because it featured a lot of swear words and racial slurs. However, it is still considered to be one of the greatest American novels ever written.

2. Jack London’s naturalism

Jack London was another great American writer who used naturalism in his works. He was mostly known for his short stories and novels about the life of ordinary people in the USA. Just like Mark Twain, London did not shy away from depicting the hardships and difficult choices that people had to make in order to survive. One of his most famous stories is “To Build a Fire.” It is a story about a man who tries to walk across the Yukon Territory in sub-zero temperatures without proper equipment. Even though he knows that it is almost impossible to survive in such conditions, he still decides to go ahead with his plan.

3. The connection between naturalism and realism

Naturalism and realism are two literary movements that are often confused with each other. Both genres reflect reality in a very accurate way and they both focus on ordinary people. However, there is one key difference between them. Realism focuses on showing things as they are, without any embellishments, while naturalism goes a step further and tries to explain why things are the way they are.

4. The difference between naturalism and realism

Even though naturalism and realism are similar in many ways, there are some key differences between them. Realism is more focused on everyday life and mundane problems, while naturalism often deals with more extreme situations that can lead to violence or death. Naturalistic writers were also more interested in depicting humans as victims of their environment or social conditions, while realistic writers tended to show them as capable of overcoming these obstacles.

In conclusion, naturalism and realism are two literary movements that have a lot in common. Both genres focus on ordinary people and try to show things as they really are. However, there is one key difference between them. Realism is more focused on everyday life and mundane problems, while naturalism often deals with more extreme situations that can lead to violence or death.

FAQ

Realism is defined as "the faithful representation of reality" while naturalism is defined as "a literary style that emphasizes objectivity and the scientific method." In other words, realism seeks to portray things as they actually are, while naturalism takes a more objective approach, focusing on the scientific explanations for events.

Mark Twain's work is often considered to be more realistic than naturalistic, as he was known for his humor and satire. However, there are elements of naturalism in his work as well, such as in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn where he discusses the societal ills of slavery and racism. Jack London's work is often seen as more naturalistic than realistic, due to its focus on survival and the struggles of everyday life. However, there are also elements of realism in his work, such as in The Call of the Wild where he paints a picture of life in the Alaskan wilderness.

Realism tends to focus on human relationships and social issues while naturalism focuses on survival and the environment.

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