Final answer:
To adeptly use an animal as a main character in realistic literature, authors often employ anthropomorphism or place the animal within a factually accurate setting to make their stories relatable. Naturalistic elements are also used to highlight the struggle of characters against powerful and indifferent natural environments.
Step-by-step explanation:
Using an animal as a main character in realism presents unique difficulties because animals do not share human thoughts, motivations, or behaviors, which are central to the realistic depiction of life in literature. To overcome these difficulties, an author can employ several literary techniques. Among them is anthropomorphism, which involves attributing human traits, emotions, or intentions to the animal character, thereby making their actions and reactions more relatable to human experiences. Another approach is the use of a factual setting with an animal character that mirrors human society, similar to how the desert is characterized in 'Bajadas' by Francisco Cantú. Additionally, in naturalistic works, the portrayal of animal characters often highlights the indifferent or hostile nature of the environment, reflecting the natural world and its effects on characters without freewill, trapped by their instincts and social or natural environments.
For instance, in Grense Jacobselv by Kjartan Fløgstad, the use of a historical backdrop allows the author to present a fictional story that nevertheless reflects real-life issues and human experiences. Similarly, the depiction of characters as nameless entities in naturalistic works, as described within the passage, can be applied to animal characters, reinforcing their role as victims or participants in the struggle against nature without assigning them specific human-like identities.