Realism Movement in Literature
Realism is concerned with representing accurately the experiences of an individual in relation to their social conditions. Social realism is one particular form of realism that tries to capture the various factors that bring about the conflicts of the social classes. Some of the chief artists associated with realism in the nineteenth century are Honoré de Balzac, George Eliot, and William Dean Howells.
Realism is generally understood in opposition to romantic fiction. While the latter included adventurous, supernatural, and heroic narratives, realism tends to focus on reflecting and accurately portraying life and circumstances.