Pastoral Literature Versus Naturalism

• What is the origin of the word "pastoral"?

  The word "pastoral" comes from the Latin word "pastor," which means shepherd.
• What was the focus of early pastoral literature?

  Early pastoral literature focused on the lives of shepherds, often highlighting their simple, natural lifestyle.
• Who is considered the first known writer of pastoral literature?

  The Greek poet Theocritus, with his work Idylls, is considered the first known writer of pastoral literature.
• How did pastoral literature evolve by the 19th century?

  By the 19th century, pastoral literature shifted from focusing on shepherds to depicting country folk living idealized, peaceful lives in nature, while still critiquing urban life.
• How is pastoralism linked to naturalism?

  Both pastoralism and naturalism emerged as reactions against romanticism in the late 1800s.
• What is the key difference between pastoralism and naturalism?

  Pastoralism focuses on nature and animals with romantic themes, while naturalism shows life realistically, emphasizing how the environment shapes a person's character.
• What approach does pastoral literature take in depicting life?

  Pastoral literature simplifies complex life, often comparing it to the life of a shepherd, using romantic techniques.
• How does naturalist literature differ from pastoral literature in its approach?

  Naturalist literature uses scientific principles, reason, and objectivity, focusing on how external factors like the environment shape human behavior.
• How did pastoral literature change in the early 1900s?

  It shifted from focusing on nature vs. urban life to exploring the differences between simple and complex cultures.
• How is Thornton Wilder’s Our Town an example of this change in pastoral literature?

  In Our Town, the character Mr. Webb emphasizes simple pleasures, like the sunrise and birds, as more important than cultural sophistication.
• What did William Empson contribute to the understanding of pastoral literature in 1935?

  Empson explained that pastoral literature often compares complex people by examining simple people, highlighting simplicity vs. complexity.
• What themes did American pastoral writers often idealize?

  American pastoral writers often idealized youth and innocence, often contrasting them with the complexities of adulthood.
• How is The Catcher in the Rye an example of modern pastoral literature?

  In The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield wishes to preserve the innocence of children and protect them from the dangers of adulthood.
• What metaphor does Holden Caulfield use to describe his desire to protect children?

  Holden imagines himself standing at the edge of a cliff, catching children before they fall off, symbolizing the dangers of growing up.
• What is a common theme in modern pastoral literature, as seen in works like The Catcher in the Rye?

  A common theme is the idealization of youth and the desire to preserve innocence from the complexities and challenges of adulthood.