Great Expectations Contents
The eighteenth century novel
Before the Victorian period, the literary seriousness of the novel and the social status of the novelist were by no means secure:
- poetry was regarded as being at the top of the hierarchy of literary genres: in the eighteenth century, epic poetry was accorded the highest status, but with the rise of Romanticism, lyric and visionary poetry rose to prominence
- realistic prose fiction developed with the rise of an urban middle class with comfortable homes, more disposable income and increased leisure was regarded as being at the top of the hierarchy of literary genres: in the eighteenth century epic poetry was accorded the highest status, but with the rise of Romanticism, lyric and visionary poetry rose to prominence
- the readership for this developing form was often defined as women, servants and the young
- it was seen as a non-serious kind of writing, suitable for filling leisure hours, but offering the reader nothing of any substance
- many early novelists were women and in a male dominated society this, too, led to a down-grading of the seriousness of prose fiction
- it was felt that realism could be dangerous because novels recounted believable behaviour by recognizable people in familiar surroundings, and could thus set a poor example to their readers.
A major poem or fiction depicting events of significance in the history of a civilisation.
In English Literature, it denotes a period between 1785-1830, when the previous classical or enlightenment traditions and values were overthrown, and a freer, more individual mode of writing emerged.
The words of a song
In English Literature, it denotes a period between 1785-1830, when the previous classical or enlightenment traditions and values were overthrown, and a freer, more individual mode of writing emerged.
The words of a song
In written text, the ordinary plain form of language, not organised into verse form. It is often contrasted with the term 'poetry'.
Recently Viewed
Scan and go


Scan on your mobile for direct link.