How did naturalistic writers help bring slang into English literature?

The rise of naturalistic writing was a pivotal factor in integrating slang into English literature. Driven by a commitment to realism, naturalistic authors sought to provide a faithful, unselective representation of life, often focusing on the environments of the working class, the slums, or the underworld.12

Because these writers aimed to capture reality as a "slice of life," they incorporated the vernacular and informal language actually spoken by their characters, despite significant societal opposition. During this period, slang was frequently condemned by educational institutions, the pulpit, and those who valued traditional gentility.1

By 1925, a new generation of naturalistic writers in the United States and Europe actively revolted against Victorian-era linguistic restraints. This movement helped shift the perception of slang from an underground, forbidden element to a socially acceptable tool. When used with skill, slang became recognized as a way to add an exciting dimension to literature, eventually becoming an indispensable resource for satirists, humorists, and journalists.1