A. • They wanted to alert people to the harsh lives of the urban poor.
During the time period when realism emerged, particularly in the 19th century, many artists and novelists sought to depict life as it truly was, often focusing on the struggles and hardships faced by the urban poor. This shift was partly a reaction against idealism, which often portrayed life in a more romantic or glorified manner. Realism aimed to present an accurate and often unflinching representation of everyday life and social issues, encouraging social awareness and reform.