Realism is an art movement and philosophy that emerged in the 19th century, characterized by its emphasis on depicting subjects as they appear in reality, without idealization or exaggeration. In literature, realism aims to represent life as it truly is, with all of its complexities and imperfections. Realist works often focus on ordinary people and their everyday experiences, rather than the extraordinary or fantastical. The goal of realism is to provide an accurate reflection of society and human nature, without any romanticizing or idealization.