Final answer:
Nineteenth-century realist novels primarily depicted social inequality and urban poverty, showcasing the challenges of different social classes within the city environments of the time.
Step-by-step explanation:
Realist novels of the nineteenth-century depicted various aspects of society during that time. These novels often portrayed social inequality, highlighting the differences in living conditions and opportunities among different classes. They also focused on urban poverty, representing the challenges faced by the working poor in burgeoning city environments. They did not generally involve Greek mythology, which was more characteristic of earlier literature, nor specifically focus on the concept of the sublime, which was linked with the earlier Romantic movement. While romantic love might appear in realist novels, it would be showcased within the context of the social issues of the times rather than as an idealized theme.