American Naturalist

American Naturalism is a literary movement that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, characterized by its focus on realism and a belief that human behavior is shaped by environment, heredity, and social factors. Writers like Stephen Crane, Frank Norris, and Theodore Dreiser depicted characters whose lives were influenced by forces beyond their control, highlighting struggles against nature, societal constraints, and economic conditions. Naturalism often emphasizes a deterministic view of life, where individuals are seen as products of their circumstances, exploring themes of survival, fate, and the harsh realities of existence.