How did realists view themselves?

• A. They believed literature should be purely imaginative without observation
• B. They thought writing should ignore daily life
• C. They saw themselves as scientists who would 'place a slice of life' under a literary microscope to examine it in minute detail
• D. They sought to overthrow scientific methods

Answer: (C)

Realists saw themselves as scientists of society, approaching writing as careful, systematic observation. They aimed to depict life as it actually unfolds, focusing on ordinary people, everyday settings, and the social forces shaping behavior. The idea of placing a slice of life under a literary microscope captures this mindset: they dissect scenes with precision, noting minute details to reveal how life works and what it says about society. This approach—documenting reality with objectivity and thorough detail—defines realism.

That’s why this description fits best. Writing that claims literature should be purely imaginative without observation, that daily life should be ignored, or that scientific methods should be overturned contradicts realism’s method and goals.