By the eighties and nineties of 19, critical realism had developed into the mainstream and entered the deepening stage. At this time, a group of realistic writers appeared who criticized reality and exposed social contradictions from different angles, among which O Henry was the most successful writer. Garland (1860- 1940) is famous for reflecting the contradiction between border areas and rural areas. His main works are short story collection Road (189 1 year), novel Rose in the Valley of the Dutchman (1898) and autobiographical novel.

The works of Norris (1870- 1902) reveal the contradiction after capitalism invaded the countryside. His masterpiece is the novel trilogy "Wheat Epic", but he died after only writing two novels. These two books are Muyu (1909), which describes the contradiction between farmers and capitalists, and Abyss (1903), which reflects the activities of speculators selling wheat. However, Abyss has not achieved much because it has inserted too many love descriptions from many angles and exposed the evils of capitalists.

Klein's works (187 1- 1900) mainly reflect the theme of life and war of the urban poor, among which the famous novels are March of the Prostitute (1893) and Red Medal of Courage (1895).