Naturalism in theater emerged in the late 19th century, aiming to portray life with scientific objectivity and extreme realism. It emphasized heredity, environment, and social conditions as key factors in human behavior, rejecting artificial conventions for a more spontaneous, lifelike performance style.

Scientific theories, particularly determinism, heavily influenced naturalistic drama. Playwrights explored how genetics, environment, and unconscious drives shape human behavior, often portraying characters as products of their circumstances with limited free will. This approach led to gritty, unflinching depictions of social issues and human nature.

Naturalism as a theatrical movement

Origins and characteristics of naturalism

• Naturalism emerged as a theatrical movement in the late 19th century aimed to portray life with scientific objectivity and extreme realism
• Movement created a "slice of life" on stage presented characters and situations without idealization or romantic subjectivity
• Emphasized heredity, environment, and social conditions as determining factors in human behavior
• Rejected artificial conventions of traditional theater strived for spontaneous and lifelike performance style
• Influenced playwriting, acting techniques, directing approaches, and stage design principles
  • Acting: Encouraged more natural, less stylized performances
  • Directing: Focused on creating authentic environments and situations
  • Stage design: Emphasized hyper-realistic sets and props (period-accurate furniture, real food on stage)

Naturalism in production and performance

• Featured detailed, authentic settings and costumes aimed for complete verisimilitude in production design
  • Example: Accurately recreated tenement apartments for plays about urban poverty
• Utilized real-time staging techniques to enhance realism
  • Example: André Antoine's production of "The Butchers" included real sides of beef on stage
• Employed natural lighting and sound effects to create immersive environments
  • Example: Use of actual rainfall sounds and dimmed lighting for storm scenes
• Encouraged actors to use their own dialects and mannerisms rather than affected stage speech
• Experimented with non-traditional performance spaces
  • Example: Staging plays in actual locations like factories or street corners

Scientific influence on naturalism

Determinism and its impact on naturalistic drama

• Determinism philosophical idea that all events are predetermined by prior causes shaped portrayal of character fate
• Concept of environmental determinism led naturalists to emphasize impact of social and physical surroundings on characters' actions and choices
  • Example: Depicting characters trapped by their socioeconomic circumstances
• Psychological determinism explored how unconscious drives and instincts shape human behavior
  • Example: Characters driven by repressed desires or childhood traumas
• Naturalistic drama often portrayed characters as products of their genetics and environment with limited free will
  • Example: Eugene O'Neill's "Long Day's Journey into Night" explores addiction as a result of heredity and family dynamics

Influence of scientific theories on naturalistic themes

• Charles Darwin's theory of evolution and natural selection influenced naturalists' view of human behavior as biologically determined
  • Example: Characters struggling against their "animal nature" or inherited traits
• Heredity theories particularly those of Gregor Mendel informed exploration of genetic inheritance in character development
  • Example: Plays depicting generational cycles of alcoholism or mental illness
• Scientific method's emphasis on observation and experimentation influenced approach to character study and plot development
  • Example: Playwrights conducting extensive research on social conditions for their works
• Naturalistic playwrights frequently drew upon contemporary scientific and sociological studies to inform depictions of human nature and society
  • Example: Incorporating theories of criminal behavior from Cesare Lombroso's studies

Naturalistic playwrights and their works

Émile Zola and the foundations of naturalism

• "Thérèse Raquin" (1873) considered a seminal work of naturalism explored themes of adultery, murder, and guilt through a deterministic lens
  • Plot revolves around characters driven by primal instincts and environmental factors
• "Le Naturalisme au théâtre" (1881) outlined principles of naturalism in drama influenced subsequent playwrights and directors
  • Advocated for scientific approach to character development and plot construction
• Zola's novels also significantly influenced naturalistic theater
  • Example: "L'Assommoir" adapted for stage depicted the destructive effects of alcoholism in working-class Paris

Key figures and their contributions to naturalistic drama

• August Strindberg's "Miss Julie" (1888) exemplifies naturalistic drama examined class conflict, gender roles, and psychological determinism
  • Used single, uninterrupted act reflected naturalism's aim for unbroken realism and temporal continuity
• Henrik Ibsen incorporated naturalistic elements in plays like "Ghosts" (1881) explored hereditary disease and societal taboos
  • Controversial for its time due to frank discussions of venereal disease and euthanasia
• Gerhart Hauptmann's "The Weavers" (1892) represented naturalism's focus on social issues depicted struggles of working-class characters against economic determinism
  • Based on historical events provided detailed portrayal of impoverished weavers' revolt
• Anton Chekhov's later works such as "The Cherry Orchard" (1904) blended elements of naturalism with symbolism showcased movement's evolution
  • Incorporated subtle symbolism and atmospheric elements while maintaining naturalistic character portrayals

Naturalism vs Realism

Similarities and differences in approach

• Both naturalism and realism aim to portray life accurately but naturalism takes more extreme, scientific approach to representation
• Realism focuses on middle-class characters and everyday situations while naturalism often explores lower-class struggles and taboo subjects
  • Example: Realism (Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman") vs. Naturalism (Maxim Gorky's "The Lower Depths")
• Naturalistic plays tend to have more pessimistic outlook emphasizing inescapable influence of heredity and environment whereas realism allows for more character agency
• Language in naturalistic plays often more colloquial and crude compared to more polished dialogue found in realistic drama
  • Example: Use of slang, dialects, and profanity in naturalistic works

Thematic and stylistic distinctions

• Naturalism employs more deterministic approach to plot development while realism allows for greater complexity in character motivation and choice
• Both movements reject artificial conventions of earlier theatrical styles but naturalism pushes further in pursuit of absolute verisimilitude in staging and performance
  • Example: Naturalistic productions might use real food and drink on stage while realistic ones might use convincing props
• Realism often includes elements of social criticism while naturalism tends to present social issues as inevitable consequences of biological and environmental factors
  • Example: Realism (Ibsen's "A Doll's House" critiques societal norms) vs. Naturalism (Strindberg's "Miss Julie" presents characters as products of their social class and biology)
• Naturalism often focuses on the darker aspects of human nature and society while realism may present a broader range of human experiences
  • Example: Naturalism's exploration of poverty, addiction, and violence vs. realism's depiction of family dynamics and social relationships