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The rise of the novel

Mister IXRAY

Created on May 15, 2026

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Transcript

The rise of the novel

Flavia Fernando and Raul Ivan

Story
Era
Narrator

The rise of the novel

Language
Setting
Character

Daniel Defoe

Father of the English novel

Merchant Journalist Writer Spy

(Daniel Foe)

1660-1731

Queen Anne

Daniel Defoe

Father of the English novel

1660-1731

- Represents the middle class - Basis of the realistic novel - Fictional autobiography - One output - Retrospective 1st-person narration - Isolation

Robinson Crusoe

England

Guinea

(Robinson Kreutznaer) 1632

Brazil

1719

The island

Alexander Selkirk

Friday

The island = England Robinson = Colonizer Friday = Colonized

Robinson Crusoe

Simple language

To find identity Rebellion Separation Isolation

- Pragmatism & Individualism - Spiritual autobiography

Jonathan Swift

Introduction to Jonathan Swift (1667–1745

Background Born and educated in Dublin, Ireland; split his life between England and Ireland. ​ Early Career Served as secretary to Sir William Temple, a prominent Whig statesman who encouraged his writing. ​ Key Early Satires ​The Battle of the Books (1704) – Mocked modern scholarship and pride. ​ A Tale of a Tub (1704) Satirized religious fanaticism and superstitions. ​ Later Life Appointed Dean of St Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin (1713); spent his final decades fighting for Irish rights.

A Controversial Figure Viewed by some as a misanthrope (human-hater) and by others as a lover of mankind . ​ Political Disillusionment Deeply critical of 18th-century English society, politics, and the blind optimism of his era. ​ View on Reason Believed man is not a naturally rational animal, but merely "capable of reason." Warned that relying too heavily on intensive reason is flawed. ​ Literary Master of Irony Renowned as the greatest ironist in the English language. ​ Core Tactics Used irony, allegory, and parody to force readers to recognize human flaws and inspire moral reform.

Gulliver’s Travels (1726) – The Plot Structure

Part I: Lilliput: Gulliver is a giant among six-inch-tall people; exposes the pettiness of European politics.​Part II: Brobdingnag: Gulliver is tiny among giants; views European values from a diminished, vulnerable perspective. ​Part III: Laputa: A flying island inhabited by absent-minded scientists performing absurd, useless experiments. ​Part IV: Land of the Houyhnhnms: Rational, noble horses rule over the "Yahoos" (vile, savage creatures that closely resemble humans). ​

Gulliver's Transformation & Narrative Style

​Character Evolution: Starts as a middle-aged, sensible, patriotic family man who fully supports European culture. ​The Shift: His travels gradually expose the deep limitations and corruption of European values. ​The Climax: By the fourth voyage, his transformation is complete. He grows to despise human "Yahoos" so much that he can no longer stand the smell of his own family, choosing to live in a stable with horses. ​Narrative Technique: Written in the first person with a "matter-of-fact," scientific prose style to make the absurd events feel realistic.

The Mechanics of Swift's Satire

Distortion and Exaggeration: Takes familiar human behaviors and alters their scale (making them giant or tiny) to make them look ridiculous. ​ The Sci-Fi Framework: Uses the classic sci-fi trope: a voyage by an average man into an unknown land. ​Shifting Perspectives: Constantly forces the reader to look at humanity through different physical and moral lenses to challenge cultural biases.

Thank you for listening!

The end