- William dean Howells convinced of realism as a truthful portrayal of ordinary facets of life with some limitation. 
- Rebecca Harding Davis sought to effect social change for blacks, women, Native Americans, immigrants, and the working class, by intentionally writing about the plight of these marginalized groups in the 19th century.

 - Henry James wrote the "The Portrait of a Lady" to tell us that we have the theme of innocence, friendship, love, connection, kindness, selflessness, respect and acceptance.

- Realism begins around the 1880-1914 19th century. 

- Realistic fiction means it seems like it could be real, but it isn't. like in the stories that actually haven't happened, but it could. and just like in life, the business world is full of unexpected twists, turns, and obstacles, but the most effective leaders never let the unexpected deteriorate their positive energy.

- The Industrial Revolution is the transcontinental railroad, the cotton gin, electricity and other inventions permanently changed society. Realism rejects the ideals of classical art, the emotional drama, and the imagination of Romanticism. Instead, it was based on direct observation of the modern world.

-  The Civil War influence the beginning of American realism by Americans wanting to escape into an ideal world especially with all of the death and destruction from the war. They wanted to put an end to romanticism and the sentimental tradition that is associated with most women writers.

- Realism's effort to depict life accurately was insufficient. Charles Darwin held that human being is wholly subject to the natural laws of the universe. naturalism's effort to expose the deep biological and environmental forces that determine human fate.