1、英语短篇小说教程英语短篇小说教程Short Stories in English:A Reading Course虞建华 编写Unit TenNaturalistic FictionReading:“The Law of Life”by Jack London Naturalism:a few key wordsnaturalism（自然主义）；（自然主义）；heredity（遗传）；（遗传）；environment（环境）；（环境）；determinism（宿命论）；（宿命论）；amoral（超道德）（超道德）Literary Naturalism:lAs a literary moveme
2、nt,it was most active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in France,America and England.lNaturalism is a type of literature that attempts to apply scientific principles of objectivity to its study of human beings.lThe theory of Naturalism affirms that all beings and events in the universe are
3、natural and therefore can be fully known by the methods of scientific investigation.lIn an important sense,naturalism is the writers response to the revolution in thought that modern science has produced.Literary Naturalism:Emile Zola:The ideal of a Naturalist was the selection of truthful instances
4、 to be placed in the“laboratory conditions”of fiction,where the hypotheses of the theories about the nature and operation of the forces that worked on human beings could be put to the test.Human beings and their relations to the surroundings:lNaturalism is a type of literature that attempts to apply
5、 scientific principles of objectivity and detachment to its study of human beings;that characters can be studied through their relations to their surroundings.The achievement in natural and social sciences and their influence on the writers attitudes:lNewton:mechanistic determinismlDarwin:biological
6、 determinism (1)theory of evolution(Origin of Species)(2)survival of the fittest (3)the metaphor of Jungle (4)Herbert Spencers Social DarwinismlMarx:economic determinismlFreud:psychological determinismlComte:social and environmental determinismDarwin and Literary Naturalism:lDarwins theory of evolut
7、ion provided an entirely new explanation of the origin of human beings,not as special creation by God,but as the result of evolution,gradual changes from lower species of animals to todays form.lThe theory told the Naturalistic writers that mans existence was shaped by heredity and environment,over
8、which he had little control.lTherefore,Naturalists are pessimistic,holding a view of determinism,regarding human beings as passive victims of biological nature and social environment.A short poem by American naturalistic writer Stephen Crane:A man said to the universe:“Sir,I exist!”“However,”replied
9、 the universe,“The fact has not created in meA sense of obligation.”Literary Naturalism and Amoralism:Therefore the Naturalists are often amoral in their attitude,neither condemning nor praising their characters for actions over which they have little control.Characteristics of NaturalismA Brief Sum
10、mary:A Naturalist writer generally lstrives to be honest and objective and aims at a“scientific”representation of the materials;lis pessimistic about human capabilities,holding a deterministic view of life;ltries to be amoral in their judgment of human behavior;lis frank in the portrayal of human be
11、ings driven by fundamental urges fear,hunger and sex;ltends to place characters in controlled environment,giving them“experimental conditions.”The Story :Jack London:The Law of Life Questions for Discussion:lWhat do you think of the Indian tradition of abandoning their sickly elders?Was it the write
12、rs intention to reveal and condemn the inhumane and inhuman practice?lWhat has the setting to do with the theme of the short story?lWhat is“the law of life”?Can you underline some of the words in the story that explain what the“law”is?lOn what basis can we categorize this short story as a piece of N
13、aturalistic writing?Reading Tips:Jack Londons Naturalistic fiction is most typically represented by his“Northland tales”set in the Arctic region（北极圈）.For a Naturalist,this setting provides ideal“experimental condition”as it highlights the overwhelming power of natural forces and incapability of huma
14、n beings.Life is portrayed according to Darwins theory of survival of the fittest or rather,the survival of the tribe.Please note the elements of amoralism and determinism in the short story.The appalling tale is told in a matter-of-fact manner,allowing little room for human sentiments or moral judgment.This is not because Jack London was heartless and inhuman,but because he imagined a situation in which some of the basic ideas of Naturalism could be explored,magnified and discussed.
