Word
naturalism
Meanings
a style in literature and art that depicts life realistically, often stressing the influence of environment and heredity on people
the philosophical view that everything can be explained by natural causes rather than supernatural ones
Definition
Naturalism is a style in art and literature that aims to portray life with close, realistic detail and an emphasis on how environment and heredity shape people.
Naturalism is an artistic and literary approach that tries to represent the world as it appears in everyday life, without idealizing it. It often focuses on ordinary settings and precise detail. In many works, naturalism also highlights how social conditions, environment, and inherited traits influence human behavior and outcomes.
Examples
- In her thesis, Maya argues that naturalism turns the city itself into a force that shapes every character’s choices.
- I used naturalism in my short story to show how poverty and routine can narrow a person’s sense of possibility over time.
- The director’s commitment to naturalism is obvious in the unpolished lighting and the actors’ restrained, everyday gestures.
- You can hear naturalism in the dialogue, which avoids witty punchlines in favor of awkward, realistic pauses.
- They discussed naturalism in the seminar as a reaction against romanticized heroes and neatly resolved endings.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse naturalism with “nature writing,” but naturalism usually means a realist style or a philosophy, not simply writing about the outdoors.
More at C1 level
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More nouns
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