The focus on social and political issues in 20th - century novels was a direct response to the many upheavals of the time. World Wars, revolutions, and social movements influenced writers. They used their novels to comment on things like inequality, as in Sinclair Lewis's works that criticized American society. Also, the trend of globalization in novels was due to the increasing interconnectedness of the world through trade, travel, and communication.
The major trends in 20th - century novels mirrored the times in multiple ways. The use of experimental narrative techniques was a reaction to the changing literary landscape. With the spread of new ideas and the breakdown of traditional values, writers felt the need to break free from old narrative forms. Also, the trend of depicting the individual's struggle against society was a result of the changing social fabric. People were no longer as bound to traditional social roles, and novels explored this new sense of self - discovery and alienation.
The exploration of the human psyche in 20th - century novels reflected the growing interest in psychology as a science. As people became more aware of the inner workings of the mind, writers incorporated these ideas into their works. For example, James Joyce's stream - of - consciousness writing was a way to show the chaos and complexity of human thought, which was in line with the new psychological theories of the time.
One major trend was the exploration of the human psyche. Writers like Virginia Woolf delved deep into the inner thoughts and feelings of characters. Another trend was the reaction to modernity. Many novels showed the impact of industrialization and urbanization on individuals and society. Also, the use of experimental narrative techniques, such as stream - of - consciousness, became popular.
One major trend was modernism. Modernist novels often broke away from traditional narrative structures. They experimented with different ways of telling a story, like using fragmented narratives. This was seen in works by Virginia Woolf.
Many 18th - century novels were a mirror of the economic situation of the time. In 'Robinson Crusoe', we can see the emerging ideas of capitalism. Crusoe's efforts to build his own little 'empire' on the island reflect the entrepreneurial spirit of the era. Also, the moral and religious values were prominent. Novels like 'Candide' criticized the religious hypocrisy while still being influenced by the overall religious context of the 18th century. And in terms of politics, some novels subtly commented on the power structures and the monarchy system through their stories.
The development of different trends in the 20th - century novel was complex. Realism evolved as writers continued to document society, but new elements were added. The trend of modernism started to gain momentum with the influence of new psychological theories. Writers were interested in exploring the inner self. Existentialist - influenced trends developed due to the philosophical ideas of the time, which were concerned with human existence. And the growth of multicultural literature was due to the increasing globalization and the need to represent different cultures.
Many 20th century novels reflected social changes. For example, 'The Grapes of Wrath' by John Steinbeck showed the hardships of the Great Depression and the migration of farmers. Novels like 'Native Son' by Richard Wright dealt with the experience of African - Americans in a racially divided society. 'Mrs. Dalloway' by Virginia Woolf also captured the changing roles of women and the post - World War I disillusionment.
19th - century whaling novels often reflected the adventurous spirit of the society. For example, in 'Moby - Dick', the characters' determination to hunt the great whale showed the boldness and risk - taking nature of people then. It also reflected the economic importance of whaling, as it was a major industry. The novels sometimes showed the hierarchical structure on the whaling ships, which was similar to the social hierarchy on land.
Many 20th century novels like 'The Jungle' by Upton Sinclair reflected the harsh working conditions and social inequality in the early 20th century in the United States. It exposed the problems in the meat - packing industry and led to reforms.
18th - century gay novels often reflected society in a veiled manner. Since homosexuality was not openly accepted, these novels might use euphemisms or more subtle character interactions. For example, in some works, a deep and intense male - male friendship was depicted which could be seen as a way of hinting at same - sex attraction without being too blatant, as open homosexuality was against the moral and legal norms of the time.
19th - century Spanish novels reflected society in various ways. For example, in 'La Regenta', the characters' interactions and their moral struggles were a mirror of the complex social hierarchies and the influence of the Church. The upper - class characters' behavior and the way they treated others showed the class divisions. In 'El Sombrero de Tres Picos', the story set in a rural environment revealed the daily life, traditions, and economic aspects of the common people in 19th - century Spain.
The 20th century American novels were very much in tune with social changes. Take 'The Grapes of Wrath' for instance. It depicted the mass migration of farmers during the Dust Bowl and Great Depression. It showed how economic hardships led to social upheaval, with families being forced to leave their homes and seek new lives, and how society was often cruel to those in need.