Naturalism In Edwin Arlington Robinson's Cliff Klingenhagen
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Naturalism - Literary Philosophy
Naturalism was a literary movement from 1890 to 1915. Naturalism sparked many American authors such as Jack London, Stephen Crane, Edwin Arlington Robinson, Ellen Glasgow, John Steinbeck, Richard Wright, and many others to pursue the naturalistic view of the world in their works of literature. Naturalistic writers are commonly seen as applying relationships to their characters through the character’s surroundings. European naturalist, Emile Zola once put into words the naturalistic view of human beings into two simple words, “human beasts.” I also believe that this accurately describes how naturalists viewed human beings because naturalists are known to draw the surrounding environment and nature itself into play in their novels. As the vast majority of literary analysts have knowledge of, naturalism, as a literary…show more content… There are many different angles by which to approach Cliff Klingenhagen. Two of them being: The pessimistic, naturalistic side, and the other being the literal viewpoint. From a pessimistic view, Cliff Klingenhagen seems to accept that dark times are around him and will be around him for the rest of his life. Instead of looking for a happier outcome in life, he learns to live with it and accept it, even going as far as welcoming the bitterness that life grants him, by drinking the bitter wormwood. From a naturalist’s standing, he (Cliff Klingenhagen) deserves all of life’s bitterness, and he becomes a martyr. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the literal reading of this story leads us to believe that Cliff Klingenhagen is a very happy man. Cliff Klingenhagen is happy because he has learned to be unselfish. His “way” is his way of reminding himself that he is put on this planet to serve others, not the other way around. He should expect nothing from others, but should be able to give happiness to