1. Realism in American Literature
What is Realism?
Realism is a technique that denotes the faithful representation of reality in literature with specific purposes of representing of a simple, everyday life.
Why did this movement begin?
The Realism movement was a reaction to Romanticism in an effort to  present life as it truly is in literature. Specifically, the movement of Realism set out to portray real, typical people, their problems, and their situations as accurately and truthfully as possible.

5. The American Civil War and Realism
The American Civil War prompted a shift in all aspects of American life and culture including philosophy, politics, art, and literature. This war left 620,000 Americans dead with many cities destroyed. Families were torn with conflict, anger, death, and grief.
Realistic literature—literature that focused on everyday events—replaced the fantasy and escapism of literature of the Romantic period.