ENG 251

THE RISE OF THE NOVEL

The Eighteenth Century Novel

Daniel Defoe

WHAT IS A NOVEL?

There is no definite definition of the novel but it can be seen as follows:

a novel is a narrative in prose, based on a story in which the author may portray:characters, a life if a age, analyze sentiments & passions, & the reactions of men & women to their environment.

DIFFERENT KINDS OF NOVELS

Novel of Adventure Satirical Epistolary Novel The Gothic Novel Bildungsroman Science Fiction Picaresque novel Gothic novel The Regional Novel Historical

WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT THE NOVEL OF THE 18TH CENTURY

Focus on the individual experience. The plot was not based on mythology,

history, legend, or previous literature. The plot had to be acted out by particular

people in particular circumstances Characterization and presentation of

background were paid more attention. The writers made the subject of the novels

the exploration of their characters as they are defined by their past and present.

The events took place in an actual physical environment.

REALISM VS ROMANCE

It depicts real life experience.

Uses characters of low rank.

Uses simple every day language.

It is imaginary It uses elevated

language. It is misleading

about life. Events can never

take place in real life.

Realism Romance

check this website for literary terms: http://web.cn.edu/kwheeler/lit_terms_A.html.

VERISIMILITUDE IN REALISM Realism in literature is the depiction of subjects

as they appear in everyday life. Verisimilitude is the appearance of truth; the

quality of seeming to be true. It is significant in the novels of the 18th century and emphasizes the realistic quality of the works we study.

It holds that truth is discovered by the verification of the senses.

In the novels realistic elements include the lists, repetition, diaries, and the ordinary nature of the characters.

Also time is important. The events are presented in chronological order.

The first person narrator emphasizes the aspect of realism in the novels.

ROBINSON CRUSOE (1719)

Daniel Defoe wrote a novel that was easy and flowing.

He had a sharp sense of realism The spiritual self-exploration takes place in

Crusoe’s mind away from society emphasizing the puritan belief that a man’s religion is his own.

Religion is discussed in a way that reveals it essence away from political influence.

Defoe shows us Crusoe going through crisis after the other – in his faith, in his work ethics, & his reasoning of things – in order to finally present the perfect colonial figure.

THEMES IN ROBINSON CRUSOE

Colonialism

Quest for individuality

Necessity of repentance

Survival

Fear

Self-importance

STYLE IN ROBINSON CRUSOE

Use of Irony:several scenes in the novel are represented ironically to emphasize the distance of Crusoe from his family, society, & the civilized world as a whole.

Use of symbolism: the father’s words are symbolic of the society’s

skepticism against change. the parents are symbolic of the society the shipwreck & the solitude afterwards are symbolic

of the criticism of the society by depicting the perfect society that Crusoe creates.

The first person point of view adds to the credibility of the novel.

THE THEME OF COLONIALISM Colonialism is considered the controlling &

dominant theme in the novel that offers a clarification of the other themes & allows a close analysis of the character of Robinson Crusoe.

Tools of colonialism:reason – work-ethic – & faith

Process of transformation into a colonialist:secure – possess

Challenges to transformation:fear – patience

Characteristics of a colonialist:manly independence – unconscious cruelty – persistence – intelligence – practical religiosity

MAJOR CONCEPTS IN ROBINSON CRUSOE The novel is more than an account of a practical

man’s adjustment to his life & survival on a deserted island. It is about Crusoe’s struggle to conquer his fear & find God.

Defoe believed that the Englishman must be ruthless yet reasonable in order to become a colonialist & to conquer nature and receive God’s reward.

After the dream, & after Crusoe starts reading the Bible regularly, his mind is essentially at peace; & the remainder of the novel is an account of the due rewards & powers of the man who has been saved.

He believed that a colonialist must overcome his fear (of the unknown – of failure – of the wilderness – of the enemies – of punishment).