Main Reasons for the Growth in Popularity of Novels
ENGL 311 Midterm Study Guide:
Be sure that you have read each of the three novels and noted passages that you think are particularly indicative of a particular concept relating to 18th literature that we have been discussing this semester.
Novels:
Oroonoko (entire novel)
Robinson Crusoe (entire novel)
Gulliver’s Travels (“Publisher to the Reader” pp. 2-9 and Part 1 pp. 1-95)
Slide Shows: (on Moodle)
Introduction (Week 1)
Rise of the Novel Chapter 1 (Week 2)
Rise of the Novel Chapter 2 (Week 2)
Your Notes
Ideas/Concepts/Questions to consider: (be sure to think about specific examples from the novels when appropriate)
· What are the different ways to date this period (the 18th century) and what are some of the implications of one dating period over another?
· What are some of the main reasons for the growth in popularity of novels at this period in time?
· What role(s) or purpose(s) did novel serve?
· What are some key things to know about class and gender during this period, and especially in connection to the novel/reading?
· In what way (according to Watt) was realism a key aspect of the novel? What does he mean by “formal realism”?
· Be prepared to discuss and provide examples for each of the five characteristics that Watt explains are part of the novel of the 18th century:
Challenge to literary traditionalism
Particulars in character and setting
Naming
Time
Space
· How do demographic issues (class, gender, urban/rural) influence who is reading? How does this influence what is being written?
· How do the novels reflect attitudes toward slavery and/or colonialism (or imperialism) at this time?
· How do religion and capitalism intersect?
· How do novels portray religious and political issues of the day?
· Discuss the previous period of literature (neoclassicism) to the new period of literature (the novel).
· Why do so many of the novels call themselves a history?
· How does satire work?For more information on Main Reasons for the Growth in Popularity of Novels read :https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?search=Main+Reasons+for+the+Growth+in+Popularity+of+Novels&title=Special%3ASearch&go=Go&ns0=1
