What does Naturalism claim to do in its artistic approach?

Naturalism in the arts, particularly in theater, is rooted in the idea of portraying life in a realistic manner, closely aligned with the objective of showing life as it is experienced, rather than how it ought to be. This approach often emphasizes the mundane aspects of everyday life and presents characters and situations realistically, free from idealization or romanticism.

The emphasis on depicting life without a climax reflects naturalism's commitment to realism, where the narrative unfolds naturally without the dramatic peaks typically found in more traditional storytelling. It rejects the notion of predetermined outcomes usually seen in melodrama and instead highlights the ordinary, often harsh realities of existence. In doing so, naturalism seeks to provide a true reflection of human experiences, focusing on characters as products of their environment and heredity, which aligns with scientific principles of the time.

By contrasting with the other answer options, which either suggest an idealized version of life, engage in abstraction, or focus on emotional struggles, the essence of naturalism is firmly rooted in the clear cut portrayal of life as it is, devoid of embellishment.