186k views
5 votes
"How is the story 'One Summer Night' by Ambrose Bierce an example of naturalism?"

A) It portrays characters as products of their environment and heredity.
B) It focuses on the moral and ethical development of the protagonist.
C) It centers around supernatural events and elements.
D) It emphasizes the power of individual will and choice.

1 Answer

5 votes

Final answer:

The story 'One Summer Night' by Ambrose Bierce is an example of naturalism (Option A) because it illustrates characters as victims of their environment and heredity, aligning with the naturalist belief that human behavior is determined by factors beyond individual control.

Step-by-step explanation:

The story 'One Summer Night' by Ambrose Bierce is an example of naturalism because it portrays characters as products of their environment and heredity (Option A). Naturalism in literature often involves the depiction of characters as being influenced by their genetic traits and outside forces, with individuals frequently shown as small, insignificant, and unable to summon the will to change their predetermined outcomes. In 'One Summer Night,' these themes are evident, as characters are depicted as part "brute" with strong impulses and subconscious drives. This adheres to the naturalistic approach of presenting human beings as fundamentally controlled and determined by forces of heredity and environment beyond their understanding or control.

User Biplav
by
6.6k points