The rise of the novel
Index
INTRODUCTION
THE RISE OF THE NOVEL
SOCIAL AND HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
DIFFERENT KINDS OF NOVELS
MAIN FEATURES
Introduction
WHAT IS A NOVEL?
A novel is a long work of prose fiction that tells a story about characters and events, usually in a realistic way. It is written in narrative form and explores human experiences, relationships, and social contexts in depth. Unlike epic poetry or drama, the novel focuses on individual lives and everyday reality, often presenting detailed descriptions of settings, thoughts, and emotions. The novel became the dominant literary genre from the 18th century onward because it reflected modern society and the growing importance of the individual.
MAIN FEATURES:1. PROSE NARRATIVE 2. LENGHT 3. REALISM 4. STRUTTURED PLOT 5. DEFINED SETTING
Social and historical background
THE AUGUSTAN AGE
Augustan society refers to English society during the early 18th century (roughly 1700–1745), especially during the reign of Queen Anne and the early Hanoverian kings. The term “Augustan” compares this period to the age of the Roman Emperor Augustus, symbolizing order, stability, and cultural refinement. There was a particular attention for politeness, moderation and rationality and the goals of life were mainly personal realization and pleasure. There were new growing sectors, that encouraged individualism, enterprise and enrichment. In England, there was a sense of freedom, in contrast to the other countries in Europe.
Living in this background, English people experieced the rise of the middle class, with a growing optimist towards scientific progress. The spread pof cultural debate brought about the need for new methods to express political and culutal ideas: journals and pamphlets. Two periodical publications were so influential in the early 18th century: The Spectator, founded by Joseph Addison, and The Tattler, founded by Richard Steele.
At the same time, there was the birth of a new way to discuss about culture and literature: coffehouses. They were sometimes called “penny universities” because, for the price of a cup of coffee (one penny), a person could participate in intellectual discussions and learn about current events. They had an important social role because they helped develop public opinion, which was a new, strong power in society.
THE RISE OF THE NOVEL AND ITS FEATURES
During this century, English literature experienced the rise of the novel, a new literary genre. The rise of the novel in England is closely connected to the social, economic, and cultural changes of the 18th century. During this period, England experienced the growth of the middle class, the expansion of trade and colonialism, and an increase in literacy. Printing became cheaper, newspapers and magazines spread quickly, and more people—especially women and members of the bourgeoisie—began to read for pleasure. As a result, there was a demand for a new type of literature that reflected real life and ordinary people rather than kings, heroes, or mythological figures.
SETTING
In England, novels were often set on real or realistic places, such as London, a big commercial city, tropical and far islands or middle-class houses. there are long description in order to make the narration more realistic and frequent references to time: precise years or also days.The events follow one another in a chronological order
MAIN CHARACTERS
In the Augustan novel, the main character is usually an ordinary individual rather than a hero, king, or mythical figure. The protagonist often belongs to the middle class and represents the values of 18th-century English society, such as hard work, morality, self-discipline, and personal responsibility. These characters live in realistic social settings and face everyday problems instead of extraordinary adventures.
Psychological realism is also central. The inner thoughts, feelings, and motivations of the character are carefully described, especially in novels like those of Richardson. The protagonist is portrayed as a complex human being, with strengths and weaknesses. Finally, the Augustan main character often represents social mobility. Through virtue, effort, or personal growth, the character may improve their social position.
The Rise of the Novel: Studies in Defoe, Richardson and Fielding
an Watt's The Rise of the Novel is seen as a major contribution for establishing how the novel appeared as a literary form during the 18th century. Also much of the discussion and commentary for over forty years, about the novel's beginnings, center on Watt's ideas in this book.The Rise of the Novel is an important work in the history of academic literary criticism.It is considered by many contemporary literary scholars as the seminal work on the origins of the novel, and an important study of literary realism. The book traces the rise of the modern novel to philosophical, economic and social trends and conditions that become prominent in the early 18th century.
The Rise of the Novel: Studies in Defoe, Richardson and Fielding is a nonfiction book that recounts the confluence of events in literary history that defined the emergence of the novel in the eighteenth century. It was written by Ian Watt. It was originally published in 1957 by Chatto & Windus in London, followed by the University of California Press, United States, also in 1957
Different kinds of novels
Historical novel .
Stories set in the past, often interwoven with real events or characters. Historical accuracy and the reconstruction of atmospheres are central.Characteristics: Documentary research, period details, archaic language
Mystery / Crime Novel
Plots centered on a mystery or a crime to be solved. Suspense, clues, and plot twists drive the narrative. Key Elements: Structured investigation, deductive protagonist, red herring and final revelation Example Agatha Christie's novels: balance between character, clue, and surprise.
Science Fiction
Future or spatial settings that explore technology and social impact. Room for scientific speculation and ethical questions.Recurring Themes: Artificial intelligence, space travel, technological dystopias. Function Using the future to reflect the present: discoveries that challenge human values. Example Brave New World by Aldous Huxley: technological society and social control.
Realistic Novel
Detailed representation of everyday life, with attention to social and psychological dynamics. Verisimilar language and situations predominate.Function: to offer mirrors of society and reflections on historical, political, and cultural conditions.
Thank you!
The rise of the novel
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Transcript
The rise of the novel
Index
INTRODUCTION
THE RISE OF THE NOVEL
SOCIAL AND HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
DIFFERENT KINDS OF NOVELS
MAIN FEATURES
Introduction
WHAT IS A NOVEL?
A novel is a long work of prose fiction that tells a story about characters and events, usually in a realistic way. It is written in narrative form and explores human experiences, relationships, and social contexts in depth. Unlike epic poetry or drama, the novel focuses on individual lives and everyday reality, often presenting detailed descriptions of settings, thoughts, and emotions. The novel became the dominant literary genre from the 18th century onward because it reflected modern society and the growing importance of the individual.
MAIN FEATURES:1. PROSE NARRATIVE 2. LENGHT 3. REALISM 4. STRUTTURED PLOT 5. DEFINED SETTING
Social and historical background
THE AUGUSTAN AGE
Augustan society refers to English society during the early 18th century (roughly 1700–1745), especially during the reign of Queen Anne and the early Hanoverian kings. The term “Augustan” compares this period to the age of the Roman Emperor Augustus, symbolizing order, stability, and cultural refinement. There was a particular attention for politeness, moderation and rationality and the goals of life were mainly personal realization and pleasure. There were new growing sectors, that encouraged individualism, enterprise and enrichment. In England, there was a sense of freedom, in contrast to the other countries in Europe.
Living in this background, English people experieced the rise of the middle class, with a growing optimist towards scientific progress. The spread pof cultural debate brought about the need for new methods to express political and culutal ideas: journals and pamphlets. Two periodical publications were so influential in the early 18th century: The Spectator, founded by Joseph Addison, and The Tattler, founded by Richard Steele.
At the same time, there was the birth of a new way to discuss about culture and literature: coffehouses. They were sometimes called “penny universities” because, for the price of a cup of coffee (one penny), a person could participate in intellectual discussions and learn about current events. They had an important social role because they helped develop public opinion, which was a new, strong power in society.
THE RISE OF THE NOVEL AND ITS FEATURES
During this century, English literature experienced the rise of the novel, a new literary genre. The rise of the novel in England is closely connected to the social, economic, and cultural changes of the 18th century. During this period, England experienced the growth of the middle class, the expansion of trade and colonialism, and an increase in literacy. Printing became cheaper, newspapers and magazines spread quickly, and more people—especially women and members of the bourgeoisie—began to read for pleasure. As a result, there was a demand for a new type of literature that reflected real life and ordinary people rather than kings, heroes, or mythological figures.
SETTING
In England, novels were often set on real or realistic places, such as London, a big commercial city, tropical and far islands or middle-class houses. there are long description in order to make the narration more realistic and frequent references to time: precise years or also days.The events follow one another in a chronological order
MAIN CHARACTERS
In the Augustan novel, the main character is usually an ordinary individual rather than a hero, king, or mythical figure. The protagonist often belongs to the middle class and represents the values of 18th-century English society, such as hard work, morality, self-discipline, and personal responsibility. These characters live in realistic social settings and face everyday problems instead of extraordinary adventures.
Psychological realism is also central. The inner thoughts, feelings, and motivations of the character are carefully described, especially in novels like those of Richardson. The protagonist is portrayed as a complex human being, with strengths and weaknesses. Finally, the Augustan main character often represents social mobility. Through virtue, effort, or personal growth, the character may improve their social position.
The Rise of the Novel: Studies in Defoe, Richardson and Fielding
an Watt's The Rise of the Novel is seen as a major contribution for establishing how the novel appeared as a literary form during the 18th century. Also much of the discussion and commentary for over forty years, about the novel's beginnings, center on Watt's ideas in this book.The Rise of the Novel is an important work in the history of academic literary criticism.It is considered by many contemporary literary scholars as the seminal work on the origins of the novel, and an important study of literary realism. The book traces the rise of the modern novel to philosophical, economic and social trends and conditions that become prominent in the early 18th century.
The Rise of the Novel: Studies in Defoe, Richardson and Fielding is a nonfiction book that recounts the confluence of events in literary history that defined the emergence of the novel in the eighteenth century. It was written by Ian Watt. It was originally published in 1957 by Chatto & Windus in London, followed by the University of California Press, United States, also in 1957
Different kinds of novels
Historical novel .
Stories set in the past, often interwoven with real events or characters. Historical accuracy and the reconstruction of atmospheres are central.Characteristics: Documentary research, period details, archaic language
Mystery / Crime Novel
Plots centered on a mystery or a crime to be solved. Suspense, clues, and plot twists drive the narrative. Key Elements: Structured investigation, deductive protagonist, red herring and final revelation Example Agatha Christie's novels: balance between character, clue, and surprise.
Science Fiction
Future or spatial settings that explore technology and social impact. Room for scientific speculation and ethical questions.Recurring Themes: Artificial intelligence, space travel, technological dystopias. Function Using the future to reflect the present: discoveries that challenge human values. Example Brave New World by Aldous Huxley: technological society and social control.
Realistic Novel
Detailed representation of everyday life, with attention to social and psychological dynamics. Verisimilar language and situations predominate.Function: to offer mirrors of society and reflections on historical, political, and cultural conditions.
Thank you!