Realism, in the arts, the accurate, detailed, unembellished depiction of nature or of contemporary life. Realism rejects imaginative idealization in favour of a close observation of outward appearances. As such, realism in its broad sense has comprised many artistic currents in different civilizations.

Realism (arts), the general attempt to depict subjects truthfully in different forms of the arts.

Literary realism is a literary movement that represents reality by portraying mundane, everyday experiences as they are in real life. It depicts familiar people, places, and stories, primarily about the middle and lower classes of society.

Realism is the Philosophical school of the thought that suggests that the world that we perceive through the senses is the “Real” world. This is distinguished from Idealism, which holds that there is a “Real” world behind the world we see.

Realism also captures varies dimensions existing in international politics. It also gives an account of how these politics have been influenced and changed over time. This has played a significant role in helping different people as well as groups to construe individual’s politics in relation to international politics.

Realism has been able to stay relevant for so long because of its ability to provide theoretically strong explanations for wars, alliances, and other international phenomena. However, all realist scholars agree on a number of core theoretical assumptions. States are principal actors in international politics.

Realism remains the primary or alternative theory in virtually every major book and article addressing general theories of world politics, particularly in security affairs. Controversies be- tween neorealism and its critics continue to dominate international relations theory debates.

What Is Realism in Literature? Elements and Examples

• History of Realism. Realism finds its roots in the early nineteenth century.
• The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain.
• The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane.
• Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck.
• Life in the Iron Mills by Rebecca Harding Davis.