There are two functions that give an object’s string representation, repr() and str(). The former is designed to convert the object to as-code string, while the latter gives user-friendly string.
When you input the variable name in the command line, repr() is used, and \n character is shown as \n (as-code). When you use print, str() is used, and \n is shown as a new line (user-friendly).
By the way, str is a bad name for a variable, as it’s the same as the built-in.