The rise of the novel

THE NEED FOR REALISM

The 18th century in England is the AGE OF THE NOVEL.
18th-century novels are characterized by a great NEED FOR REALISM, in the sense
that novels deal with contemporary and realistic objects, language and situations.
The language of the novel also reflects this tendency: it is simple, clear, quite similar
to that of newspapers and magazines.
The main features of the modern novel are:
• a great stress on contemporary reality (current events);
• chronological sequence of events;
• abundance of realistic information, descriptions and details;
• novelty of the stories;
• use of contemporary language.
THE NOVEL AND THE MIDDLE CLASS
The readers of novels mainly come from the commercial and
mercantile middle class, whose ethos is especially REALISTIC and
PRACTICAL.
The novel wants to satisfy the needs and the tastes of the
new middle class who asks for ORIGINAL STORIES DEALING
WITH ORDINARY EXPERIENCES AND EVENTS.

The characters are people who live in a world that is common to their
readers.
KINDS OF MODERN NOVEL
1. The REALISTIC NOVEL:
NOVEL time and place are realistic and
detailed (Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe)
2. UTOPIAN FICTION:
FICTION imaginary worlds or countries are used as
a counterpart to actual imperfect and corrupt societies
(Gulliver‘s Travels by Jonathan Swift)
3. The EPISTOLARY NOVEL:
NOVEL an exchange of letters between
some correspondents – psychological analysis of the
characters too (Pamela and Clarissa by Samuel Richardson)
4. The PICARESQUE NOVEL:
NOVEL it deals with the adventures and
misadventures of a young, reckless hero on the road who
tries to make a living and to be happy and with his process of
growing up (Tom Jones by Henry Fielding)
5. The SENTIMENTAL NOVEL:
NOVEL sentimental stories (they tell
simple, naive experiences) and a type of writing which
arouse strong emotions in their readers (A Sentimental
Journey through France and Italy by Laurence Sterne)