SPECIFIC FEATURES OF NATURALISM IN LITERATURE

Аннотация

This article is devoted to the specific aspects of the naturalistic literary movement that emerged at the end of the 19th century. Naturalistic works show how human behavior, life, and destiny are shaped by external factors — environment, heredity, and society. A person often seems helpless in front of forces beyond his control. The article analyzes importantaspects of naturalisticliterature withexamples. Key words:Naturalism, determinism, heredity, environment, objectivity, pessimism,lower class, darwinism, Émile Zola, Frank Norris, Theodore Dreiser, Stephen Crane, Jack London, Upton Sinclair, animal instinct, social pressure, biological influence, realism, fate, human behavior Naturalism is a literary movement that developed and expanded on realism in the late 19th century. While realism sought to portray life as it is, naturalism studied man on a scientific and deterministic basis, showing him as dependent on heredity, environment, and social circumstances. This movement was inspired by the ideas of Charles Darwin, Auguste Comte, and especially Emile Zola. Naturalist writers emphasized that human destiny is determined by external and internal factors, and that man cannot fully control his own life. This article will highlight the main features of naturalism - determinism, heredity, environmental influence, objectivity, pessimistic views, and reflection of the life of the lower classes. One of the main aspects of naturalism is the concept of determinism. In naturalistic works, characters are often depicted as being subject to forces beyond their control. These forces may be biological instincts, societal pressures, economic circumstances, or environmental influences. In romantic or realist works, characters often act based on their own moral judgments and personal values, while in naturalistic literature, their lives are often determined by external circumstances. In naturalism, determinism is associated with scientific theories, particularly Darwin's ideas of evolution and "survival of the fittest." Human actions and decisions are not driven by free will, but by internal and external factors. For example, in Frank Norris's novel McTeague, the protagonist's crisis is the result of his animalistic nature and his inability to adapt to social life. His downfall is gradual and inevitable due to his inability to control himself. Thus, naturalist writers show that people are trapped in a chain of cause and effect and that they have very limited opportunities for spiritual or moral growth. In naturalistic literature, heredity, or inheritance, is shown as an important factor determining the fate of heroes. According to this theory, people inherit not only physical but also mental characteristics from their ancestors. These hereditary characteristics shape the behavior of heroes, their place in life, and their fate. In some cases, this heredity can be negative conditions such as mental illness, a tendency to violence, or drug addiction. The founder of naturalism, Emile Zola, pays great attention to the issue of heredity in his series “Rougon-Maccard”. He shows the fate of different generations of one page960 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ISSN:2692-5206,ImpactFactor:12,23 AmericanAcademicpublishers,volume05,issue04,2025 Journal: https://www.academicpublishers.org/journals/index.php/ijai family and describes how inherited characteristics affect their lives. Naturalist writers also argue that no matter how much effort or education a person has, they cannot completely escape their biological inheritance. In American literature, this idea is also expressed in Theodore Dreiser's Sister Carrie, where Carrie experiences the pursuit of wealth as a natural instinct, which leads her to make morally questionable decisions. Similarly, in Jack London's The Call of the Wild, Buck the dog is shown reverting to his primitive nature. In this case, it is argued that the hereditary instincts for survival are stronger than growth. In naturalism, the role of the environment in shaping human life is important. Naturalist writers often depict harsh, indifferent, or oppressive conditions, showing how they shape the behavior and fate of their characters. This environment includes not only the physical setting, but also social systems, economic structures, and cultural norms. Depictions of urban conditions, especially poverty, crime, and social inequality, are common in naturalist literature. Writers often depict poor neighborhoods, factories, or working-class areas, showing how external factors cause people to suffer. The environment does not support people or provide justice; it acts only as an indifferent force that causes human suffering. Stephen Crane's Maggie: A Girl of the Streets illustrates the influence of the environment well. Maggie is born in a poor neighborhood in New York City and cannot escape her environment. Although he strives to improve his life, his environment drags him down again, and his tragic end