Characteristics (from Richard Chase, The American Novel and Its Tradition Reality being rended closely and in comprehensive detail Selective presentation of reality with an emphasis on verisimilitude, even at the expense of a well-made plot Character as more important( than action and plot Complex ethical choices are often the subject Characters as appearing in their real complexity of temperament and motive: They are in explicable relation to nature, to each other, to their social class, to their own past Class as important issue: The novel has traditionally served the interests and aspirations of an insurgent middle class. accoring to lan Watt, The Rise of the Novel) Plausible events: Realistic novels avoid the sensational dramatic elements of naturalistic novels and romancesCharacteristics (from Richard Chase, The American Novel and Its Tradition) Reality being rended closely and in comprehensive detail: Selective presentation of reality with an emphasis on verisimilitude, even at the expense of a well-made plot Character as more important (than action and plot): Complex ethical choices are often the subject. Characters as appearing in their real complexity of temperament and motive: They are in explicable relation to nature, to each other, to their social class, to their own past. Class as important issue: The novel has traditionally served the interests and aspirations of an insurgent middle class. ( accoring to Ian Watt, The Rise of the Novel) Plausible events: Realistic novels avoid the sensational, dramatic elements of naturalistic novels and romances