The period 1870-1890 is generally referred to as the Modern Breakthrough in Scandinavian literature. Its beginning is associated with a series oflectures given in Copenhagen by Georg Brandes in 1871, in which he argued that the purpose of modern literature was to debate current issues. The period of the Modern Breakthrough largely coincides with the periods of realism and naturalism in Scandinavia.
See also Jacobsen, Jens Peter.
Historical Dictionary of Scandinavian Literature and Theater. Jan Sjavik. 2006.