What is Naturalism?
Naturalism is a philosophy and an approach to literature and other artistic works which seeks to explore and understand the complexities of the human experience through the natural world and its environment This approach emphasizes the idea that humans are fundamentally part of the same, ever-changing and ever-evolving nature, not separate from it. Naturalists explore the implications of this connection by examining the ways in which our relationships with the environment and the environment’s influence on our behavior, decisions, and beliefs shape our lives. Naturalism strives to depict life in all its messiness, beauty, and chaos.
Naturalism can be found in the works of many authors including Jack London, who embraced this philosophy in his novels and short stories that focused on the harshness and beauty of life in the wild. Naturalism can also be seen in the works of Zora Neale Hurston, who sought to capture the fullness and texture of African American life, as well as in the works of Henry David Thoreau, who wrote of his own experience living in the wilderness and exploring the environment’s influence on his life.
The five best examples of naturalist interesting essay topics are:
1. Exploring the Influence of Natural Phenomena on Human Behavior: This essay topic could explore how natural phenomena such as the weather, seasons, or animal behavior can shape human behavior, including how people interact with each other or the natural world around them.
2. Examining the Impact of Human Activity on the Environment: This essay topic could examine how human activity can have long-term consequences on the environment, including how pollution, urbanization, and the use of resources can cause the environment to degrade and eventually become unsustainable.
3. Investigating the Effects of Human Impact on Wildlife: This essay topic could look at the ways that human activity can affect animal populations and habitats, such as how deforestation and poaching impact the local ecology.
4. Examining the Relationship Between Nature and Identity: This essay topic could explore the ways in which a person’s connection to the natural world shapes their identity and the way they view themselves and their place in the world.
5. Exploring the Role of Literature in Communicating Naturalism: This essay topic could investigate how literature, particularly works of fiction, can be used to communicate ideas about naturalism and can be a powerful tool for educating readers about the complexities of human-environmental relationships.