19th Century Realism in American Literature

Abstract

Realism, as a literary moment sought to portray everyday life, and basic daily life complexities faced by ordinary people with a focus on authenticity and detail. The 19^th century was a pivotal period in American literature, marked by a transition from romantic to realism. The impact of Civil war, industrialization, urbanization, along with the expansion of American frontiers, all led to shift in societal changes. The stories written portrayed a significant evolution in writing skills, the credit to shaping the literary landscape of their time along with laying  the groundwork for the upcoming generation of writers was done by writers like Mark Twain, Henry James, William Dean Howells, Kate Chopin, and Theodore Dreiser through their works.