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Questions and Answers
What century did the English novel become a mature and predominant literary form?
What century did the English novel become a mature and predominant literary form?
- 16th century
- 19th century
- 17th century
- mid-18th century (correct)
What was the major concern about prose fiction before the 18th century?
What was the major concern about prose fiction before the 18th century?
- It was seen as a frivolous and corrupting upstart derivative of French romance
- It was thought to be too realistic
- It was considered a lie due to religious concerns (correct)
- It was considered too romantic
What was the technique used by authors to present their writings as true accounts?
What was the technique used by authors to present their writings as true accounts?
- Incorporating real events
- Using a dream structure
- Presenting their writings as manuscripts they had found and edited (correct)
- Writing in poetry
Who was one of the earliest authors of prose fiction to earn favour?
Who was one of the earliest authors of prose fiction to earn favour?
What was the main criticism of authors in the 17th and early 18th century?
What was the main criticism of authors in the 17th and early 18th century?
What did realism in the novel deny?
What did realism in the novel deny?
What was the result of the works of Samuel Richardson and Henry Fielding in the 1740s?
What was the result of the works of Samuel Richardson and Henry Fielding in the 1740s?
What was synonymous with veracity in the novel?
What was synonymous with veracity in the novel?
What was the perception of the guardians of aesthetic value towards early prose fiction?
What was the perception of the guardians of aesthetic value towards early prose fiction?
What was the primary concern of the religious crowd regarding prose fiction before the 18th century?
What was the primary concern of the religious crowd regarding prose fiction before the 18th century?
What was the significance of the 1740s in the history of the English novel?
What was the significance of the 1740s in the history of the English novel?
What was the tone of the criticism of authors in the 17th and early 18th century?
What was the tone of the criticism of authors in the 17th and early 18th century?
What was the purpose of presenting writings as manuscripts found and edited for public consumption?
What was the purpose of presenting writings as manuscripts found and edited for public consumption?
What was the characteristic of early prose fiction prototypes popular with readers since the late 17th century?
What was the characteristic of early prose fiction prototypes popular with readers since the late 17th century?
What was the significance of Daniel Defoe's 'Adventures of Robinson Crusoe'?
What was the significance of Daniel Defoe's 'Adventures of Robinson Crusoe'?
What was the result of the presentation of writings as true accounts?
What was the result of the presentation of writings as true accounts?
What was the characteristic of the novel in the mid-18th century?
What was the characteristic of the novel in the mid-18th century?
What was the tone of the narrative devices used by authors to present their writings as true accounts?
What was the tone of the narrative devices used by authors to present their writings as true accounts?
Study Notes
Rise of the Novel
- Early prose fiction prototypes were popular with readers since the late 17th century
- The English novel became a mature and predominant literary form in the mid-18th century
- The novel gained respectability in the 1740s thanks to the works of Samuel Richardson and Henry Fielding
Early Prose Fiction Examples
- Daniel Defoe's "Adventures of Robinson Crusoe" (1719) was one of the few early prose fiction works to earn favor
Opposition to the Novel
- The guardians of aesthetic value saw novels as frivolous and corrupting, derived from French romance
Prose Fiction as Fabrication
- Before the 18th century, prose fiction was rare and sparked controversy over narrative fabrication due to religious concerns
- The Religious Crowd considered fiction to be lies
Criticism of Early Fiction
- 17th and early 18th-century readers criticized authors for making up tales rather than recording actual experiences
- Example: Criticism of Travel Narratives
Realism as a Denial of Fictionality
- Authors presented their writings as manuscripts they had found and edited for public consumption to address the issue of fictionality
- Realism was synonymous with veracity (truth) during this period
- Realism denied its fictionality and asserted its reality to the reader through prefaces and narrative devices
- Examples: Using "Based on a true story" and the "Dream Structure"
Rise of the Novel
- Early prose fiction prototypes were popular with readers since the late 17th century
- The English novel became a mature and predominant literary form in the mid-18th century
- The novel gained respectability in the 1740s thanks to the works of Samuel Richardson and Henry Fielding
Early Prose Fiction Examples
- Daniel Defoe's "Adventures of Robinson Crusoe" (1719) was one of the few early prose fiction works to earn favor
Opposition to the Novel
- The guardians of aesthetic value saw novels as frivolous and corrupting, derived from French romance
Prose Fiction as Fabrication
- Before the 18th century, prose fiction was rare and sparked controversy over narrative fabrication due to religious concerns
- The Religious Crowd considered fiction to be lies
Criticism of Early Fiction
- 17th and early 18th-century readers criticized authors for making up tales rather than recording actual experiences
- Example: Criticism of Travel Narratives
Realism as a Denial of Fictionality
- Authors presented their writings as manuscripts they had found and edited for public consumption to address the issue of fictionality
- Realism was synonymous with veracity (truth) during this period
- Realism denied its fictionality and asserted its reality to the reader through prefaces and narrative devices
- Examples: Using "Based on a true story" and the "Dream Structure"
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Description
This quiz explores the development of the novel as a literary form, from its early prototypes in the 17th century to its maturity in the 18th century. Learn about key authors and works that shaped this genre.
