10/16/23, 9:37 PM
Thesis and Outline for Essay: Realism or Naturalism Assignment
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ENGL 202
T E THESIS AND OUTLINE FOR SSAY: R NEALISM OR ATURALISM EMPLATE
I. First, identify your chosen term (realism or naturalism) and summarize its salient
features as described in one of the videos from Modules 2 or 3.
Literary naturalism can be best defined by its strong belief in the lack of valid free will
and the fight between humanity and survival, highlighted by nature's indifference to man's life.
II. Second, identify your chosen literary text (from Modules 2 or 3) and explain briefly
how its features exemplify your chosen term.
“Chickamauga” by Ambrose Bierce shows naturalism through its themes of man versus
nature, impersonal view of the child, and hints at the core of man.
III. Third, craft a thesis statement that pulls these pieces together to make your claim
(basically, answer this question: How does the video define [realism or naturalism], and
how does [your chosen literary text] exemplify these features?)
Naturalism, defined as the belief in the lack of free will and the fight between man and
nature, is exemplified through the story “Chickamauga” in the narrator’s perspective of the boy,
the desire to fight nature, and the biological will and heart of man.
IV. Fourth, break your thesis statement into about 3 subpoints, the ideas you’ll have to
develop to make your case. These subpoints will become your outline, so turn them into
complete sentences by answering the question: What do I need to explain about this
subpoint to define realism or naturalism or to show how that literary form is manifested in
this literary text? Now flesh out your outline by adding evidence from the video and
literary text to support your subpoints. Retype your thesis statement and type your outline
below:
Thesis Statement: Naturalism, defined as the belief in the lack of free will and the fight between
man and nature, is exemplified through the story “Chickamauga” in the narrator’s perspective of
the boy, the desire to fight nature, and the biological will and heart of man.
Complete sentence outline:
I. Chickamauga shows naturalism through the narrator’s perspective of the boy.
a. The narrator refers to the boy as it (first paragraph, pg. 46)
b. Nartualism often has a less individualistic perspective and more of an overarching and
wholistic perspective
II.Chickamauga shows naturalism through the boy’s desire to fight nature.
a. “victor” against the river (pg. 47)
b. Rabbit (a creature of nature) is seen as a “formidable enemy” (pg. 48)
III. Chickamauga shows naturalism through the emphasis on the nature of man.
a. Like all men… “he could not curb the lust for war” (pg. 48)
b. Implies biological necessity to do what all men do – emphasizes the lack of the boy’s
choice over his actions.
