Realism, Naturalism, and Expressionism: A Comparative Table of 14 Important Aspects
ByJustin CashUpdated
Here is a comparative table between Realism, Naturalism, and Expressionism for drama and theatre teachers and students. By comparing these three theatre movements/styles side-by-side, one can quickly grasp the key similarities and differences at a glance. I hope it proves helpful in your teaching or studies in theatre. – Justin
While this website is fully responsive for all devices, due to the tables in this post, it is best viewed on a tablet, laptop or desktop.
The fourteen important areas compared for each theatre movement/style are:
Period
Origins
Philosophical Foundations
Purpose of Theatre
Approach to Characterisation
Narrative Structure
Dialogue
Staging and Set Design
Theatrical Innovations
Acting Style
Actor-Audience Relationship
Themes and Subject Matter
Plays and Playwrights
Influence on Later Theatre
I have drawn up two tables below. The advanced version is recommended for teachers, university students, and advanced-level senior high students. The standard version, further down, is more straightforward and recommended for most students. Enjoy!
Comparing Realism, Naturalism, and Expressionism – ADVANCED VERSION
This advanced version of the comparative table is recommended for teachers, university students, and advanced-level senior high students.
Realism, Naturalism, and Expressionism Compared
Aspect
Realism
Naturalism
Expressionism
Period
Late 19th century to early 20th century: Realism emerged in the mid-19th century, gaining prominence in the late 19th century and continuing into the early 20th century. It developed as a response to the excesses of Romanticism and Melodrama, aiming to depict everyday life with greater fidelity and psychological depth.
Late 19th century to early 20th century: Naturalism emerged shortly after Realism, flourishing from the 1870s onwards. It was shaped by the scientific and social theories of the time, particularly Darwinism and positivism, which emphasised the roles of heredity and the environment in shaping human behaviour.
Early to mid-20th century: Expressionism emerged in the early 20th century, particularly in Germany, as a reaction to the constraints of Realism and Naturalism. It reached its peak in the 1920s, influenced by the social and political upheavals of the time, and sought to explore the inner emotional and psychological experiences of characters.
Origins
Realism as a response to Romanticism: Realism originated as a reaction against the idealised and emotional excesses of Romanticism. It sought to bring a more accurate representation of everyday life to the stage, emphasising the lives of ordinary people. This movement was influenced by the works of novelists like Honoré de Balzac and Gustave Flaubert, who focused on the detailed observation of society.
Expressionism as a reaction to industrialisation: Expressionism arose as an artistic response to the dehumanising effects of industrialisation and the alienation of modern society. It sought to depict the inner emotional states of individuals rather than external realities, influenced by the anxieties of the early 20th century, including war and social unrest.
Philosophical Foundations
Empiricism and social observation: Realism is rooted in the idea that art should represent life as closely as possible. It emphasises careful observation of the social environment and the complexities of human behaviour. Realism holds that by depicting the world truthfully, theatre can offer insights into social conditions and human psychology, encouraging audiences to reflect on their own lives.
Determinism and scientific inquiry: Naturalism is based on the belief that human beings are shaped by their environment, heredity, and social conditions, with little room for free will. This movement was influenced by scientific determinism, which suggests that all events, including human actions, are the result of preceding causes. Naturalism sought to apply the principles of scientific observation to the study of human behavior, often portraying characters as powerless against the forces that govern their lives.
Exploration of the subconscious and existential themes: Expressionism is grounded in the exploration of the inner workings of the human mind, particularly emotions, fears, and desires. It rejects the objective reality favored by Realism and Naturalism, instead focusing on the subjective experience of individuals. Expressionism often reflects the existential concerns of the early 20th century, such as the search for meaning in a chaotic and alienating world.
Famed expressionist film, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari.
Purpose of Theatre
To mirror and critique society: Realism aims to provide an accurate depiction of everyday life, often highlighting social injustices and the moral dilemmas faced by ordinary people. The goal is to reflect the real world on stage, prompting audiences to think critically about their own society and the human condition.
To expose the forces shaping human life: Naturalism seeks to delve deeper into the forces that shape human existence, particularly the impact of environment, heredity, and social conditions. The purpose of Naturalist theatre is to present a stark, unembellished view of life, often highlighting the darker aspects of existence, such as poverty, vice, and disease, with the aim of fostering social awareness and reform.
To evoke emotional and psychological truths: Expressionism seeks to transcend the surface reality in order to express deeper emotional and psychological truths. The purpose of Expressionist theatre is to provoke a strong emotional response from the audience, using symbolic and exaggerated representations to explore the inner lives of characters and the existential struggles they face.
Approach to Characterisation
Detailed, psychologically complex characters: Realism is known for its portrayal of characters who are multi-dimensional and psychologically complex. These characters are often shaped by their social environment, but they also have personal agency and face moral dilemmas. Realist characters are typically ordinary people, and their actions reflect the subtleties and contradictions of real human behavior.
Detailed, psychologically complex characters: Realism is known for its portrayal of characters who are multi-dimensional and psychologically complex. These characters are often shaped by their social environment, but they also have personal agency and face moral dilemmas. Realist characters are typically ordinary people, and their actions reflect the subtleties and contradictions of real human behaviour.
Archetypal and symbolic characters: In Expressionism, characters are often symbolic or archetypal, representing universal themes or abstract concepts such as fear, oppression, or the human condition. These characters are not fully developed individuals, but rather exaggerated figures designed to externalise inner psychological states and explore existential themes.
Psychological realism.
Narrative Structure
Linear, cause-and-effect progression: Realist plays typically follow a linear, logical narrative structure, with events unfolding in a cause-and-effect sequence. This approach mirrors the structure of everyday life and is designed to gradually develop character and plot through realistic dialogue and action. The focus is often on the resolution of social or moral conflicts.
Chronological and deterministic narratives: Naturalist plays often adhere to a chronological structure, emphasising a deterministic view of life. The narrative typically follows a straightforward progression, with characters’ fates dictated by external forces such as social environment, heredity, and natural laws. The emphasis is on the inevitability of outcomes, reflecting the harsh realities of life.
Non-linear, fragmented, and symbolic structure: Expressionist plays frequently employ non-linear, fragmented, and episodic narratives. This structure is designed to reflect the chaotic and disjointed nature of the characters’ inner experiences. The narrative may include dream sequences, flashbacks, and abstract scenes that disrupt logical progression, focusing instead on conveying the subjective reality and emotional intensity of the characters’ psychological states.
Dialogue
Colloquial, natural speech patterns: Realist dialogue is crafted to reflect the way people actually speak, including the use of regional dialects, slang, and the natural rhythms of everyday conversation. The goal is to create authentic, believable interactions between characters, where the dialogue reveals personality, social status, and relationships.
Direct, unembellished language: Naturalist dialogue tends to be straightforward and unembellished, reflecting the often harsh realities of the characters’ lives. The language is raw and direct, emphasising the impact of environment and social conditions on the characters’ speech. It often lacks the poetic or heightened language found in other dramatic styles, aiming instead for a gritty, realistic portrayal of human interaction.
Fragmented, symbolic, and heightened speech: Expressionist dialogue often breaks away from conventional speech patterns, using fragmented, symbolic, and heightened language to convey the emotional and psychological states of the characters. Dialogue may be disjointed or repetitive, and it often includes symbolic imagery or exaggerated expressions designed to evoke a strong emotional response from the audience.
Staging and Set Design
Detailed, historically accurate sets: Realism emphasises creating sets that are detailed and historically accurate, reflecting the environment in which the characters live. The design typically includes domestic interiors, with props and furniture that contribute to the authenticity and believability of the world on stage. The set is an extension of the characters’ lives, often revealing their social status and personal circumstances.
Grim, authentic environments: Naturalism demands sets that are as authentic and detailed as possible, often depicting bleak, grim settings that highlight the characters’ socio-economic conditions. The focus is on creating an immersive world that underscores the harsh realities faced by the characters, with an emphasis on the environment as a determining factor in their lives. The design is typically sparse and utilitarian, reflecting the deterministic forces at play.
Abstract, distorted environments: Expressionism uses abstract and distorted sets to reflect the inner emotional landscape of the characters. The design is often symbolic, with exaggerated angles, stark contrasts, and unconventional materials used to evoke feelings of disorientation or anxiety. The set serves as a visual representation of the characters’ psychological states, externalising their inner turmoil and existential struggles.
Theatrical Innovations
Introduction of detailed, lifelike staging and subtle acting techniques: Realism introduced a focus on authenticity in both set design and performance. The innovation of the “box set” (a set with three walls and an invisible “fourth wall” through which the audience views the action) allowed for more realistic acting and interaction. This approach also emphasised the importance of character psychology and motivated actions, moving away from the declamatory style of earlier theatrical traditions.
Non-linear narratives, abstract staging, and psychological focus: Expressionism revolutionised theatre by rejecting realistic conventions in favour of abstract and symbolic representations. Innovations included the use of distorted sets, unusual lighting, and exaggerated acting to convey the internal emotional states of characters. Expressionist theatre often employed non-linear narratives and fragmented dialogue to explore themes of alienation and existential crisis, paving the way for later avant-garde movements.
Non-linear narratives, abstract staging, and psychological focus: Expressionism revolutionized theatre by rejecting realistic conventions in favor of abstract and symbolic representations. Innovations included the use of distorted sets, unusual lighting, and exaggerated acting to convey the internal emotional states of characters. Expressionist theatre often employed non-linear narratives and fragmented dialogue to explore themes of alienation and existential crisis, paving the way for later avant-garde movements.
Acting Style
Subtle, believable performances: Realist acting focuses on creating believable, naturalistic portrayals of characters. Actors aim to embody the character fully, using subtle gestures, realistic speech, and genuine emotional responses that reflect everyday human behavior. The performance is grounded in psychological realism, where the actor’s internal process is just as important as external actions.
Minimalistic and physically grounded: Naturalist acting is characterised by a commitment to realism, often involving minimalistic performances that emphasise the character’s physicality and external influences. Actors may use understated gestures and speech, focusing on how the environment and social conditions shape their characters. The performance is intended to be a direct, unembellished portrayal of human life, often highlighting the physical and social constraints that dictate the characters’ actions.
Exaggerated, symbolic performances: Expressionist acting is highly stylised, with exaggerated physical movements and vocal delivery designed to externalise the characters’ inner emotions and psychological states. The acting style often includes symbolic gestures, distorted facial expressions, and intense vocal tones, aiming to convey the emotional and existential turmoil of the characters. The focus is less on realism and more on expressing the abstract, often intense, inner experiences of the characters.
Actor-Audience Relationship
Engagement through relatability: In Realism, the relationship between actors and the audience is built on the relatability of the characters and situations. The goal is to immerse the audience in a believable world, where they can observe and empathize with the characters’ experiences as if they were real people, prompting reflection on their own lives and societal issues.
Observation and critique: Naturalism positions the audience as observers of the characters’ lives, often placing them in the role of detached onlookers. The audience is encouraged to critically assess the impact of environmental and social forces on the characters, recognizing the deterministic forces at play and reflecting on broader societal implications.
Emotional provocation and psychological impact: Expressionism aims to create a direct and intense emotional connection with the audience. The actors’ exaggerated and symbolic performances are designed to provoke a visceral response, challenging the audience’s perceptions of reality and immersing them in the psychological and emotional turmoil of the characters. The relationship is often one of confrontation, with the audience being drawn into the characters’ inner experiences.
Naturalistic set design.
Themes and Subject Matter
Social issues, everyday life, and moral dilemmas: Realism often explores the complexities of everyday life, focusing on social issues such as class conflict, gender roles, and moral dilemmas. The themes are typically rooted in the struggles of ordinary people, highlighting the subtleties of human relationships and the ethical choices individuals must navigate within their social context.
Determinism, survival, and societal critique: Naturalism delves into themes of determinism, exploring how factors like environment, heredity, and social conditions dictate human behavior. The subject matter often includes survival, poverty, and the darker aspects of existence, with a focus on critiquing the societal structures that perpetuate these conditions.
Alienation, existential angst, and the subconscious: Expressionism frequently tackles themes of alienation, existential angst, and the exploration of the subconscious. The plays often present a distorted reality that reflects the inner emotional and psychological experiences of characters, delving into fears, anxieties, and the search for meaning in a fragmented, modern world.
Plays and Playwrights
Plays:A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen, The Seagull by Anton Chekhov, Ghosts by Henrik Ibsen, The Cherry Orchard by Anton Chekhov, Mrs. Warren’s Profession by George Bernard Shaw. Playwrights: Henrik Ibsen, Anton Chekhov, George Bernard Shaw, Arthur Miller, Tennessee Williams.
Plays:Miss Julie by August Strindberg, The Lower Depths by Maxim Gorky, Therese Raquin by Émile Zola, The Weavers by Gerhart Hauptmann, A Bitter Fate by Aleksey Pisemsky. Playwrights: Émile Zola, August Strindberg, Maxim Gorky, Gerhart Hauptmann.
Plays:The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (film script) by Carl Mayer and Hans Janowitz, The Hairy Ape by Eugene O’Neill, From Morn to Midnight by Georg Kaiser, Woyzeck by Georg Büchner, Murderer, The Hope of Women by Oskar Kokoschka. Playwrights: Georg Kaiser, Ernst Toller, Eugene O’Neill, Georg Büchner, Oskar Kokoschka.
Influence on Later Theatre
Foundation for modern drama: Realism laid the groundwork for a wide range of modern theatrical movements. Its focus on character development, realistic dialogue, and social issues influenced subsequent forms of drama, including Psychological Realism, Social Realism, and even the emergence of television and film as mediums for realistic storytelling. Playwrights such as Arthur Miller and Tennessee Williams drew heavily on Realist techniques, and its principles continue to shape contemporary theatre.
Impact on social and documentary theatre: Naturalism’s emphasis on environmental determinism and social critique had a significant impact on the development of documentary and socially engaged theatre. It also contributed to the rise of cinema, particularly in its early stages, where the focus was on realistic portrayals of life’s harsher realities. Naturalism paved the way for later movements that seek to explore the human condition through a lens of social and environmental factors, influencing both theatre and film.
Inspiration for avant-garde and experimental theatre: Expressionism had a significant impact on the development of avant-garde and experimental theatre. Its use of non-linear narratives, symbolic characters, and abstract staging techniques inspired movements such as Surrealism, Absurdism, and Postmodernism. Expressionism’s focus on the psychological and emotional experiences of characters continues to influence contemporary theatre, particularly in works that explore the inner workings of the human psyche or challenge conventional narrative structures.
Comparing Realism, Naturalism, and Expressionism – STANDARD VERSION
This standard version of the comparative table is more straightforward and recommended for most students.
Aspect
Realism
Naturalism
Expressionism
Period
Late 19th century to early 20th century: Realism became popular in the late 19th century and continued into the early 20th century. It aimed to show life as it really is, without exaggeration.
Late 19th century to early 20th century: Naturalism developed after Realism and focused even more on showing life realistically, emphasising how environment and heredity affect people.
Early 20th century: Expressionism emerged in the early 20th century as a reaction against Realism and Naturalism, focusing on the inner emotions and thoughts of characters rather than external reality.
Origins
Reaction to Romanticism: Realism started as a response to the overly dramatic and emotional stories of Romanticism. It focused on everyday people and situations.
Extension of Realism: Naturalism grew out of Realism but took a more scientific approach, focusing on how the environment and heredity influence human behaviour.
Response to industrialisation: Expressionism developed as a way to express the emotional and psychological effects of industrialisation and modern society, often using exaggerated and symbolic methods.
Philosophical Foundations
Observation of life: Realism is based on the idea that theatre should reflect real life, showing people and situations as they truly are.
Determinism: Naturalism is founded on the belief that people’s lives are shaped by forces beyond their control, like their environment and genetics.
Focus on the subconscious: Expressionism emphasises the inner world of characters, exploring their emotions and psychological states, rather than focusing on external reality.
Purpose of Theatre
To reflect society: Realism aims to show society as it is, encouraging audiences to think about the world around them.
To expose harsh realities: Naturalism aims to show the difficult and sometimes unpleasant aspects of life, with the goal of sparking social change.
To express emotions: Expressionism seeks to convey deep emotions and inner thoughts, often through exaggerated and symbolic means, to evoke a strong response from the audience.
Approach to Characterisation
Realistic characters: Realism focuses on creating characters that are complex and believable, with personalities shaped by their social environment.
Characters shaped by environment: In Naturalism, characters are often portrayed as being influenced heavily by their environment and heredity, showing how these factors determine their actions and fate.
Symbolic characters: Expressionism often uses exaggerated or symbolic characters to represent broader themes or emotional states, rather than focusing on realistic, fully developed individuals.
Narrative Structure
Linear and logical: Realist plays follow a straightforward, logical structure where events unfold in a cause-and-effect manner, mirroring real life.
Straightforward but deterministic: Naturalist plays also follow a linear structure, but they often emphasise that characters’ lives are controlled by external forces, leading to an inevitable outcome.
Non-linear and fragmented: Expressionist plays often break away from a traditional narrative structure, using non-linear and fragmented storytelling to reflect the characters’ inner experiences and emotions.
Dialogue
Everyday speech: Realism uses dialogue that sounds natural, like how people actually speak, including their everyday language and accents.
Raw and direct speech: Naturalism focuses on realistic, often harsh dialogue that reflects the difficult lives and environments of the characters.
Symbolic and exaggerated speech: Expressionism uses dialogue that can be fragmented, symbolic, or exaggerated to convey the emotional and psychological states of the characters.
Staging and Set Design
Lifelike settings: Realism emphasizes detailed and realistic sets that look like real places, helping to create a believable world on stage.
Authentic but often grim settings: Naturalist sets are detailed and realistic, often portraying bleak or harsh environments that reflect the difficult circumstances of the characters.
Abstract and distorted sets: Expressionism uses sets that are abstract and exaggerated, designed to reflect the inner emotions and mental states of the characters, rather than realistic settings.
Acting Style
Subtle and natural: Realist acting is focused on creating believable, natural performances that reflect real human behavior and emotions.
Minimalistic and influenced by environment: Naturalist acting is often understated, emphasising how characters are shaped by their environment and circumstances.
Exaggerated and symbolic: Expressionist acting is often exaggerated and symbolic, with actors using movements and expressions that represent the characters’ inner turmoil and emotional states.
Actor-Audience Relationship
Engagement through relatability: Realism engages the audience by presenting familiar situations and characters they can relate to, encouraging them to reflect on their own lives.
Observation and critique: Naturalism encourages the audience to observe the characters and their struggles, often prompting them to think critically about the social forces at play.
Emotional provocation: Expressionism seeks to provoke an emotional response from the audience, drawing them into the characters’ intense psychological experiences and challenging their perceptions of reality.
Themes and Subject Matter
Everyday life and social issues: Realism focuses on the struggles and moral dilemmas of everyday people, often addressing social issues like class and gender roles.
Determinism and social critique: Naturalism explores how factors like environment and heredity determine people’s lives, often highlighting social issues such as poverty and inequality.
Alienation and the subconscious: Expressionism explores themes of alienation, existential angst, and the subconscious mind, often presenting a distorted reality to reflect inner emotional experiences.
Plays and Playwrights
Plays:A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen, The Seagull by Anton Chekhov, Mrs. Warren’s Profession by George Bernard Shaw. Playwrights: Henrik Ibsen, Anton Chekhov, George Bernard Shaw.
Plays:Miss Julie by August Strindberg, The Lower Depths by Maxim Gorky, The Weavers by Gerhart Hauptmann. Playwrights: Émile Zola, August Strindberg, Maxim Gorky.
Plays:The Hairy Ape by Eugene O’Neill, From Morn to Midnight by Georg Kaiser, Woyzeck by Georg Büchner. Playwrights: Georg Kaiser, Ernst Toller, Eugene O’Neill.
Theatrical Innovations
Detailed sets and natural acting: Realism introduced detailed, lifelike sets and subtle, natural acting techniques to make theatre more relatable and true to life.
Scientific approach to theatre: Naturalism emphasised how environment and heredity shape characters, using authentic settings and realistic props to create a “slice of life” on stage.
Abstract and symbolic theatre: Expressionism showed abstract, distorted sets and non-linear storytelling to express deeper emotional and psychological truths.
Influence on Later Theatre
Foundation for modern drama: Realism influenced many later theatrical movements, such as Social Realism and Psychological Realism, and continues to shape contemporary theatre and film.
Impact on documentary theatre: Naturalism’s focus on realistic portrayals of life’s hardships influenced documentary theatre and the early development of cinema.
Inspiration for avant-garde theatre: Expressionism inspired avant-garde movements like Surrealism and Absurdism, and continues to influence experimental theatre.
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