The influence of heredity and environment

Definition

The influence of heredity and environment refers to the interplay between genetic factors and external conditions in shaping individual behavior, personality, and circumstances. This concept suggests that both inherited traits and environmental influences contribute significantly to who we are, reflecting a broader understanding of human nature in literature and life.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In literature, characters are often depicted as products of their heredity and environment, showcasing how these forces shape their destinies.
2. Naturalism frequently emphasizes that individuals have limited control over their fates due to the overwhelming power of hereditary traits and societal conditions.
3. Writers such as Stephen Crane and Frank Norris illustrated how environmental factors like poverty or social class can dictate a character's life path.
4. The concept challenges the notion of free will by suggesting that personal choices are heavily influenced by genetic background and environmental context.
5. This influence is critical in understanding character motivations and conflicts within naturalistic literature, often leading to tragic outcomes.

Review Questions

• How does the concept of heredity and environment influence character development in naturalistic literature?
  • In naturalistic literature, characters are often shaped by their heredity and environment, which serve as forces beyond their control. Authors illustrate this by creating characters whose choices are deeply influenced by their genetic traits and social circumstances. For instance, a character from a poor background may struggle against societal limitations while also grappling with inherited traits that affect their decisions.
• Analyze how naturalist writers use the theme of heredity and environment to critique societal structures.
  • Naturalist writers utilize the theme of heredity and environment to critique societal structures by demonstrating how these factors limit individual agency. By presenting characters whose lives are dictated by poverty, class, or biological determinism, authors like Theodore Dreiser highlight the injustices embedded within society. This critique reveals that societal structures often perpetuate cycles of disadvantage, illustrating a need for social reform.
• Evaluate the impact of heredity and environment on the concept of free will in naturalism compared to other literary movements.
  • The impact of heredity and environment on free will in naturalism presents a stark contrast to other literary movements that emphasize individual agency. While romanticism celebrates personal choice and the triumph of the individual spirit, naturalism suggests that characters are more like products of their circumstances than autonomous beings. This deterministic viewpoint raises questions about moral responsibility and human potential, ultimately challenging readers to reconsider the role of choice in the face of powerful external influences.

Related terms

Determinism: A philosophical belief that all events, including moral choices, are determined completely by previously existing causes, often used in discussions of free will.

Natural Selection: A biological process in which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring, emphasizing the role of genetics in evolution.

Socioeconomic Status: An individual’s or family's economic and social position in relation to others, based on income, education, and occupation, highlighting environmental influences.