Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Realism is a literary movement that aims to depict events, characters, and settings in a truthful and objective manner, often focusing on the everyday lives of ordinary people.
Related terms
Naturalism: Naturalism is a literary movement that takes realism to an extreme by emphasizing the influence of social conditions and heredity on human behavior.
Regionalism: Regionalism refers to literature that focuses on specific geographic regions, capturing the unique customs, dialects, and landscapes of those areas.
Verisimilitude: Verisimilitude means creating the appearance of truth or reality in literature by using accurate details and believable situations.