social realism

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "social realism" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a style of art, literature, or film that focuses on social issues and the everyday lives of ordinary people. Example: "The novel is a prime example of social realism, depicting the struggles of working-class families during the Great Depression."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Social realism?

The Guardian - Music

First-rate social realism.

The New Yorker

It isn't social realism.

The New Yorker

His style: stark, brooding social realism.

The New York Times

"I call it magical social realism".

The New Yorker

We do a lot of social realism.

The New York Times

"It was all social realism.

The Guardian - Books

Umbral rejected 1950s' social realism.

The Guardian

The album dealt in social realism.

The Guardian

Three films displayed the continuing vibrancy of British social realism.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This can sometimes collide with ideas about social realism.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When analyzing a work through the lens of "social realism", consider its socio-political context and the artist's intent to critique or comment on societal issues.

Common error

Avoid using "social realism" to describe works that romanticize or idealize social conditions. The essence of "social realism" lies in its unflinching and often critical depiction of reality, not in presenting a sugarcoated version of it.

Linguistic Context

"Social realism" functions primarily as a noun phrase. Ludwig AI indicates that it identifies an art and film movement. It's used to categorize and describe artistic works that critically portray the lives of working-class and poor individuals.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

15%

Books

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "social realism" is a well-established term used to describe art, literature, and film that critically portrays the lives of ordinary people and social issues. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across diverse contexts, particularly in news media, encyclopedias, and books. Related phrases such as "realistic social portrayal" offer alternative ways to express similar concepts. It's crucial to use the term accurately, avoiding its application to idealized or romanticized depictions of social conditions. With a source quality score of 88 and an expert rating of 4.5, "social realism" stands as a significant concept in understanding art's engagement with society.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

realistic social portrayal

Focuses on the realistic aspect while highlighting the social element.

socially conscious art

Emphasizes the art's awareness and concern for social issues.

working-class depiction

Highlights the representation of the working class, a common subject in social realism.

critical portrayal of society

Stresses the critical perspective on societal elements often found in social realism.

everyday life representation

Highlights the focus on depicting ordinary, everyday experiences.

socio-political commentary in art

Highlights the presence of socio-political critique within artistic expression.

gritty realism

Emphasizes the raw and unflinching portrayal of reality.

documentary-style narrative

Highlights the narrative approach that resembles a documentary, focusing on authentic representation.

proletarian art

Directly refers to art focused on the proletariat or working class.

artistic social critique

Focuses on the critique of society through artistic mediums.

FAQs

What defines "social realism" in art and literature?

"Social realism" is an artistic movement that depicts social and racial injustice and economic hardship, often focusing on the working class and marginalized communities.

How does "social realism" differ from other forms of realism?

While other forms of realism aim to portray reality accurately, "social realism" goes further by explicitly addressing social issues and power structures within that reality.

Can you provide examples of "social realism" in film?

Examples of "social realism" in film include works that portray the struggles of the working class, such as films by Ken Loach, or those that critically examine social inequalities.

What are some alternative ways to express the concept of "social realism"?

You could use phrases like "realistic social portrayal", "socially conscious art", or "working-class depiction depending on the context".