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Questions and Answers
What is the origin of the English word 'novel'?
What was the characteristic of the 18th century novel?
What was the major early work in the English novel genre?
What period saw the first flowering of the English novel?
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What was the driving force behind the development of the English novel in the 18th century?
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Study Notes
Origin of the Novel
- The English word "novel" comes from the Italian "novella", meaning "new", "news", or "short story of something new".
- The Italian "novella" is derived from the Latin "novella".
Definition of a Novel
- A novel is a book of long narrative in literary prose.
Historical Roots of the Novel
- The genre has historical roots in the fields of medieval and early modern romance.
- The roots of the novel extend as far back as the beginning of communication and language.
Development of the English Novel
The Romantic Period
- The Romantic period saw the first flowering of the English novel.
- The Romantic and Gothic novels are closely related, imagining almost-supernatural forces operating in nature or directing human fate.
The 18th Century Novel
- The English novel developed during the 18th century, partly in response to an expansion of the middle-class reading public.
- One of the major early works in this genre was the seminal castaway novel Robinson Crusoe, by Daniel Defoe.
- The 18th century novel tended to be loosely structured and semi-comic.
- There was a public demand for novels during this period.
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Description
Explore the origins and evolution of the novel as a literary form, from its roots in medieval romance to its modern forms. Learn about the historical development of the novel as a compilation of various elements that have evolved over centuries.
