Literary realism is a narrative style that emerged prominently in the mid-19th century, characterized by a commitment to representing everyday life with authenticity and detail. Rejecting romanticized or idealized depictions, realism emphasizes ordinary experiences, believable characters, and settings familiar to readers. Writers like Gustave Flaubert, Leo Tolstoy, and Mark Twain sought to depict life as it truly was, often highlighting social dynamics, moral complexities, and nuanced human psychology. By portraying the world accurately—warts and all—literary realism invites readers to reflect on the realities of their own lives and society at large.
