Naturalism describes a type of literature that attempts to apply the scientific principle of objectivity and detachment toward the study of human beings (Campbell). Charles Darwin, renowned biologist, postulated his theory of natural selection in his work “The Origin of Species”. In the animal kingdom, the strongest survive. The reasons for survival of the fittest are the innate mechanisms to combat adversity and reproduce. Applied in the social sphere, Darwin's philosophy is called social Darwinism. Social Darwinism forms the cornerstone of naturalism, where the emphasis is on the survival of the fittest. Man, a human beast, survives thanks to his innate abilities and primal instincts. Although man is endowed with a powerful mind which distinguishes him from the animal species, he retains instincts which help him to preserve himself in the frantic race of life. In Cane, Jean Toomer is seen as a naturalist author, who focuses on man's instinctive passion for coitus and wrestling. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay In Cane, human beasts act instinctively on the libido, responding to the natural need to have sex. When a man and a woman are in close proximity, waves of passion overwhelm both sexes. Dan, Muriel's lover, “has a stubborn desire to possess her” (Toomer 2011). Dan and Muriel are locked in an embrace and although she argues with him and tries to break up with him, a fundamental, masculine passion ignites and overpowers him. In the natural world, the nature of the male is to dominate and possess the female. Similarly, in Avey, a male protagonist in love experiences “immediate and urgent passion (sweeping him away)” (Toomer 2011). The lovers feel “a new (flaming) passion” (Toomer 2011). At the club, the speaker describes lovers with “their instincts (guiding them)” (Toomer 2011). When man's bestial nature appears and his instinct reigns, he is powerless to fight against it. By referring to the human libido as an uncontrolled and instantaneous action, Toomer manifests naturalistic views. Toomer compares Muriel's sexual response to an "animalism, still unconquered by the restrictions of the zoo and the taboos of the keepers" (Toomer 2011). She responds and submits to her lover's animal desire to have sex. No reason, consideration or premeditation intervenes. The feverish heat of sexual desire drives man to animal action. Toomer expresses naturalistic views comparing man, in heat, to an animal. Biologically speaking, man is part of the animal kingdom; we therefore expect his propensity towards animal desires. In the animal realm, males usually compete for the best females and in the human realm, the same thing happens. Bob's body, in a jealous rage toward his girlfriend, responds with bulging veins, salivation, and a growing desire to taste blood (Toomer 2011). Bob is activated by the fight-flight hormone which stimulates the male's self-preservation mechanism. As Bob approaches his enemy competitor, a dog and several other dogs surround him. Toomer skillfully emphasizes animalism by reflecting Bob's passions for dogs, animals with which man is associated. In Darwin's theory, the continuation of the species, brutal combat against animals is necessary to produce the fittest offspring. In the modern world, animals are caged and, similarly, man's basic instincts are refined, repressed and civilized. However, there comes a time when boundaries are broken and the animal within is in command. Kabnis.).