<P> Naturalism was first advocated explicitly by Émile Zola in his 1880 essay entitled Naturalism on the Stage . </P> <P> Naturalistic writers were influenced by the theory of evolution of Charles Darwin . They believed that one's heredity and social environment determine one's character . Whereas realism seeks only to describe subjects as they really are, naturalism also attempts to determine "scientifically" the underlying forces (i.e. the environment or heredity) influencing the actions of its subjects . Naturalistic works are opposed to romanticism, in which subjects may receive highly symbolic, idealistic, or even supernatural treatment . They often include uncouth or sordid subject matter; for example, Émile Zola's works had a frankness about sexuality along with a pervasive pessimism . Naturalistic works exposed the dark harshness of life, including poverty, racism, sex, prejudice, disease, prostitution, and filth . As a result, Naturalistic writers were frequently criticized for being too blunt . </P> <Ul> <Li> Woyzeck (1837) </Li> <Li> A Bitter Fate (1859) </Li> <Li> A Doll's House (1879) </Li> <Li> The Power of Darkness (1886) </Li> <Li> The Father (1887) </Li> <Li> Miss Julie (1888) </Li> <Li> Creditors (1889) </Li> <Li> The Weavers (1892) </Li> <Li> Drayman Henschel (1898) </Li> <Li> The Cherry Orchard (1904) </Li> </Ul> <Li> Woyzeck (1837) </Li>

The height of naturalism is said to be achieved in the plays of this playwright