What are the characteristics of 20th century realist novels?

The 18th - century realist novel often had detailed descriptions of everyday life. For example, it might show the social hierarchies, economic situations, and cultural norms of the time. Characters were more complex, not just simply good or bad. Writers like Daniel Defoe and Henry Fielding were important in this genre. Defoe's 'Robinson Crusoe' showed the struggle of a man alone on an island, which was also a reflection of the human condition in the real world.

One characteristic is its focus on the everyday life of ordinary people. It often depicted the social classes, their struggles and relationships. For example, in the works of Balzac, he presented a detailed portrait of French society from all walks of life.

The main characteristics include detailed descriptions of daily life. For example, in the works of Dickens, he vividly depicted the slums and the lives of the poor. It also focused on ordinary people as main characters, rather than just the aristocracy. Moreover, there was a sense of social criticism, often highlighting the problems in society like inequality and injustice.

One characteristic was the use of elaborate language. Writers in these centuries were fond of detailed descriptions. Also, many 17th and 18th century novels focused on character development. Take 'Robinson Crusoe' for instance. We see how Crusoe changes from a young, reckless man to a more self - reliant and resourceful one over the course of his time on the island.

These novels typically explored social issues. In the 18th and 19th centuries, there were big changes in society. Novels were a way to show things like class differences. Dickens' works, such as 'Oliver Twist', showed the harshness of the lower classes' lives compared to the rich.

One characteristic is the exploration of complex social issues. For example, in Charles Dickens' novels of the 19th century like 'Oliver Twist', he exposed the harshness of the Victorian poor laws and the plight of the working class. In the 20th century, novels such as George Orwell's '1984' delved into totalitarianism and the loss of individual freedoms. Another aspect is the development of different literary styles. The 19th century saw the rise of the realist novel, with detailed descriptions of daily life. The 20th century then branched out into modernist and post - modernist styles, which often experimented with narrative structure and the concept of time.

Well, many 18th and 19th century novels were highly moralistic. Novels like 'Oliver Twist' by Charles Dickens aimed to expose the social ills of the time, such as poverty and child exploitation. The settings were often based on real - life locations of that era, which added authenticity. The narrative style was typically linear, guiding the reader through a series of events in a more or less chronological order. And they frequently explored themes of class struggle, as society was very stratified during those centuries.

Complex characters are also common. They are not just one - dimensional. In 'Wuthering Heights' by Emily Bronte, Heathcliff is a multi - faceted character with a mix of love, hatred, and revenge in his heart. His complex personality drives the tragic story.

19th - century novels typically had a strong sense of place. Many were set in specific regions, which added to the authenticity of the story. They also frequently explored themes such as love, morality, and the struggle between individual desires and social norms. The language used was often more formal compared to modern novels, with elaborate descriptions of settings, characters' appearances, and emotions.

One characteristic was often a focus on moral and religious themes. For example, many novels aimed to teach proper behavior according to the religious beliefs of that time. Another aspect was the use of complex and elaborate language. Writers liked to show off their knowledge and writing skills. Also, the plots were sometimes quite convoluted, with multiple sub - plots and many characters.