Naturalism As a Mirror In The 1930s

   

www.olystudio.com

 Literature is often a reflection of the time period in which it was written or, in the case of historical fiction, of the time period it is focused on.  Authors will often find sneaky little ways to demonstrate the dominant characteristics of the time period by blending in details, that, at a closer glance, reveal these hidden themes.

     In class, we viewed several videos (in the LitByFleming blog video bar) that gave us a look at some major events and common themes or characteristics of the 1930s.  John Steinbeck certainly considered these elements when writing Of Mice and Men.  In fact, it might be said, his writing style intentionally made use of naturalism in order to capture and expose some of the attitudes and characteristics of the American 1930s.

www.dailymail.co.uk

     Let's see if you can make the connection!  Think about some of  the naturalistic elements we identified in class (Chapter 1).  What aspects or characteristics of the 1930s are being demonstrated to us at those moments in the text?  What do you believe John Steinbeck was trying to show us or expose about the way people, life, or society was during this time in American history? 

Naturalism is defined as detailed realism to suggest that social conditions, heredity, and environment had inescapable force in shaping human character.In class we discussed that naturalism  would be ill educated,lack of manners and etc. In this case in the book naturalism was demonstrated as uneducated,no manners and etc. I believe that John Steinbeck is trying to tell us that everyone acted like beast because of the surroundings they were in.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naturalism_(literature)