According to the literary and philosophical movement of Naturalism, the two primary forces that control human lives are nature and fate.
Naturalism posits that individuals are largely determined by external and internal forces beyond their control, often portraying human beings as insignificant in the face of these overwhelming powers.
Understanding the Controlling Forces in Naturalism
Naturalism, distinct from Romanticism, often depicts humanity as subject to the same indifferent laws of the universe as other animals. Human free will is often seen as an illusion or severely limited, with characters' destinies shaped by their environment, heredity, and circumstances.
1. Nature
In Naturalist literature, nature is not a benign or spiritual force but an immense, indifferent, and at times, hostile entity. It represents the brutal, uncaring aspects of the natural world, including the harsh physical environment, biological urges, and the struggle for survival.
- Characteristics of Nature in Naturalism:
- Indifferent: Nature does not care about human aspirations or suffering; it simply exists and operates according to its own laws.
- Hostile: At times, nature actively works against human endeavors, presenting formidable obstacles like blizzards, floods, or disease that can lead to human downfall.
- Overwhelming: Human efforts often seem futile when confronted with the raw power and scale of natural forces.
- Primitive: It also encompasses the innate, animalistic drives within humans, which can override societal norms or moral choices.
2. Fate
Fate in Naturalism is often intertwined with determinism, suggesting that an individual's destiny is largely predetermined by a combination of heredity, social circumstances, and environmental factors. This force implies a lack of significant free will, as characters are swept along by events beyond their control.
- Manifestations of Fate in Naturalism:
- Heredity: Characters' traits, weaknesses, and even destinies can be seen as inherited predispositions that are difficult or impossible to overcome.
- Environment: The social, economic, and physical environment in which a character lives heavily dictates their opportunities, struggles, and ultimate outcome. Poverty, social class, and lack of education can act as inescapable prisons.
- Circumstance: Unforeseen or uncontrollable events, often tragic, can drastically alter or end a character's life, highlighting the vulnerability of humans to external occurrences.
- Loss of Free Will: Individuals are often portrayed as victims of their circumstances, with their choices having minimal impact on their inevitable fate.
Summary of Forces
The following table summarizes the two controlling forces in Naturalism:
| Force | Description | Impact on Human Lives |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | The indifferent, powerful, and often hostile external environment and inherent biological drives. | Individuals are challenged by overwhelming natural phenomena and primitive instincts; survival is paramount. |
| Fate | A predetermined destiny shaped by heredity, socio-economic factors, and uncontrollable circumstances. | Characters often lack free will, becoming victims of their background and external events. |
These two forces combine to present a worldview where human beings are ultimately small, vulnerable creatures striving against an immense, deterministic universe.
