Howells "Criticism and Fiction"

Howells is a realist and loves description. This is why he believes that Jane Austen was the best writer. He criticizes many European writers like Bulwer, Dickens, Bronte, Thackeray and Eliot but praises Jane and Anthony Trollope for the honesty in their writings. He believes that art is beautiful and good when it is descriptive and truthful. He thinks that fiction is declining as art because of its change from realism to romanticism. Austen knew how to write truthful, realist fiction.

Picasso says that, "Art is a lie that makes us realize the truth." This relates to Howells thoughts on fiction as an art. Arts function is to show truth and he believes the best way to do this is through description. "Life on the Iron Mills" demonstrates this realist movement by being very descriptive and showing tensions while advocating social change. Howells believes that fiction will continue to decline until it gets back to the best way it can demonstrate truth, through details.

Does he think this is the only good type of writing?