The Piano Lesson | Style

Naturalism
Naturalism is often confused with realism; however, although the two styles both represent ‘‘real life,’’ there are important differences between them. Naturalist writers were influenced by scientific and evolutionary theories of human character and of social interaction. One of the central motifs of Naturalist writing is the individual’s struggle to adapt to an often hostile environment. Indeed, most Naturalist writers emphasize their characters’ environment to such an extent that it becomes an integral element in their narratives....

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