Meaning: The quote you have provided is from Ben Okri, a Nigerian poet and novelist known for his works that explore themes of human nature, spirituality, and the complexities of the human condition. In the quote, Okri critiques the tendency of naturalism in fiction to present a limited and reductive portrayal of humanity. He suggests that this narrow perspective fails to capture the full richness and depth of human experience.

Naturalism in literature is a literary movement that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in the works of authors such as Émile Zola and Theodore Dreiser. It is characterized by its emphasis on depicting human beings as products of their environment and heredity, often portraying them as driven by instinct, desire, and external forces beyond their control. Naturalist literature often focuses on the darker aspects of human existence, such as poverty, violence, and the struggle for survival.

While naturalism has its merits in shedding light on the harsh realities of life, Okri's critique suggests that it can be overly deterministic and limiting in its portrayal of human beings. By reducing characters to mere products of their circumstances, naturalist fiction may overlook the complexities of individual agency, resilience, and the capacity for transcendence.

Okri's assertion that naturalism is "too reductive in its definition of human beings" speaks to a broader philosophical and artistic concern about the limitations of deterministic worldviews. By emphasizing the deterministic aspects of human existence, naturalism may overlook the capacity for human beings to shape their own destinies, to resist oppressive forces, and to find meaning and beauty in the midst of adversity.

In his own literary works, Okri explores these themes through a lens that embraces the magical and the spiritual. His writing often incorporates elements of myth, allegory, and surrealism, offering a counterbalance to the reductive tendencies of naturalism. Through his storytelling, Okri seeks to illuminate the depths of human experience, the mysteries of existence, and the transformative power of imagination and creativity.

Furthermore, Okri's critique of naturalism can be seen in the context of postcolonial literature and the broader project of decolonizing the literary imagination. By challenging the narrow and deterministic portrayals of humanity often found in Western literary traditions, Okri and other postcolonial writers seek to reclaim and celebrate the diverse and multifaceted nature of human experience across different cultures and traditions.

In conclusion, Ben Okri's quote highlights the limitations of naturalism in fiction and its reductive portrayal of humanity. By critiquing the narrow definition of human beings presented in naturalist literature, Okri invites readers to embrace a more expansive and nuanced understanding of the human experience—one that acknowledges the complexities, agency, and spiritual dimensions of human existence. Through his own literary works, Okri offers a counterpoint to naturalism, embracing the magical, the spiritual, and the transformative power of storytelling to illuminate the richness and depth of human experience.