Realism is a genre of writing that explores the real world as it is, in all its gritty glory. Defined by authors like Gustav Flaubert, Edith Wharton, and Mark Twain, realist writers often expose societal flaws, offering insights into the real-life struggles and the triumphs of ordinary people. Real world settings are described in vivid. The Realism style started in France in the 19th century as a reaction to the idealism of the Romantic period, and it detailed social injustice, inequality, and crime. Realist authors today, like Alice Walker, continue to hold a mirror to society, exposing racism, sexism, and greed.