Literature that aims to represent life as it truly is described by which term?

The correct term for literature that aims to represent life as it truly is, without embellishment or romanticizing, is realism. Realism focuses on depicting everyday activities and experiences as they happen, often highlighting the mundane aspects of life and exploring ordinary characters rather than idealized ones. This literary movement emerged in the mid-19th century as a reaction against the dramatic and emotional excesses of romanticism, favoring a more restrained and factual approach to storytelling.

While naturalism is related and often overlaps with realism, it takes the concept further by suggesting that environment, heredity, and social conditions play significant roles in shaping character and behavior. However, realism itself is primarily concerned with truthful representation rather than the deterministic forces emphasized in naturalism. Romanticism, on the other hand, is characterized by idealism and emotional expression, while surrealism delves into the sub-conscious and fantastical elements, often breaking away from logical coherence. Hence, the emphasis on realistic portrayals of life confirms that realism is the most appropriate term to describe literature that aims to mirror life accurately.