The Rise of the Novel
A colorful map to present the origins and the various types of novels, with definitions and examples.
The map here below can lead you in understanding the phenomenon of the rise of the novel. It also facilitates the elaboration of both oral and written text to describe in your own words the new genre and its origins.
The following guide explores the features, themes, and subgenres of the 18th-century novel. It follows the steps illustrated int the map above. Each section dives into key elements that defined novels of the time, reflecting a growing middle-class readership and a shift toward realism. Let's explore the world of 18th-century novels step-by-step.
The Need for Realism
Eighteenth-century novels were crafted with features that appealed to the values and lifestyle of the middle class. These novels often depicted self-made characters like Robinson Crusoe, who embodied traits admired by middle-class readers, such as faith in God's favour, commercial wisdom, and a strong sense of enterprise. Characters were relatable and represented people from the readers' world, showcasing values like temperance, economy, sobriety, and modesty, seen in works by authors such as Samuel Richardson. The stories focused on ordinary experiences rather than aristocratic or fantasy tales, aiming to satisfy the interests and aspirations of the middle class. This practical and realistic focus also extended to female characters, who were portrayed as practical and grounded. By centering on middle-class life, these novels served as both entertainment and a reflection of the readers' own experiences and values.
The Realistic Novel
The realistic novel revolutionized storytelling by introducing concrete elements that readers could relate to. Time was portrayed not as an eternal and immutable power that shaped physical decay and death. Time was considered as a tangible force that could be experienced and measured, shaping the lives of characters and the world around them (Realism). Example: "Time is no longer frozen - in Robinson Crusoe, each passing day brings new challenges".
Place became more than just a setting; it transformed into a space - a geographical entity. This commitment to realism was perfectly demonstrated in Robinson Crusoe, where events were meticulously recorded day after day. Example: "Friday, September 30th: Today I finished my table; Saturday, October 1st: Started work on my chair", and real-world locations were specified through latitude and longitude, mentioning real seas, ships, and harbours. Example: "We were now at 12 degrees, 18 minutes, sailing near the equator". This attention to detail helped readers imagine themselves in the story, making the novel's world feel authentic and accessible.
Utopian Fiction
Utopian fiction took readers to perfect worlds that do not really exist. In these stories, the place is often a space - geographical entity that is completely different from their own. Authors of utopian fiction described these places with great, objective details, sometimes even giving them latitude and longitude coordinates, like in Gulliver's Travels. They too were influenced by the realistic trend of the time. Additionally, this made these dream worlds feel more real to middle class readers. They could imagine themselves living there, exploring the cities, and meeting the people but in the meantime the author criticised contemporary societies.
The Epistolary Novel
The epistolary novel developed in two distinct phases, marking a significant evolution in narrative technique. The first phase featured letters written by one person. Example: "My dearest sister, I write to you in great distress...", allowing readers intimate access to the writer's thoughts and feelings. As the form matured, it expanded into a second phase where letters were exchanged between several correspondents Example: "Dear Mr. Richardson, I received your letter with great joy..." / "My dear Pamela, Your last letter moved me deeply...", creating a more complex narrative web. This format enabled psychological analysis of characters, particularly evident in works featuring 'Pamela'. The style allowed writers to explore how time influences development while providing descriptions of interiors, making the story feel more immediate and personal to readers.
The Picaresque Novel
The picaresque novel, exemplified by Tom Jones, transformed the concept of of a hero's adventures on the road. Rather than presenting mere casual adventures, these stories followed a hero's journey while serving a deeper purpose. Example: "As Tom traveled from Bristol to London, each inn brought new encounters...". The narrative was carefully structured, featuring division of the story into parts. Example: "Book One: Tom's Early Years" / "Book Two: The Journey Begins". What set this genre apart was its treatment of adventures not as isolated incidents, but as part of the process of growing up. Example: "Each misfortune taught Tom a valuable lesson about trust and honour". This approach created a more meaningful narrative where every experience contributed to the character's development, making it an early form of the coming-of-age story.
The Sentimental Novel
The sentimental novel emerged as a distinct literary form deeply influenced by sentimentalism. Example: "His heart swelled with emotion as he contemplated the beggar's plight". These stories typically followed a sentimental journey. Example: "Every step of young Henry's journey brought new opportunities to explore his feelings...", where characters experienced emotional growth and moral development. Unlike earlier novels that might focus on external actions or adventures, sentimental novels emphasized the internal emotional landscape of characters, exploring their feelings, moral choices, and personal growth. This genre helped establish the idea that a character's emotional development could be as compelling as their physical adventures, paving the way for modern psychological fiction.
Resources
International Journal of English, Literature and Social Science (IJELS), vol. 4, no. 4, Jul-Aug 2019, https://dx.doi.org/10.22161/ijels.4429. ISSN: 2456-7620.