development of english novel

The English novel has a long and complex development. It began in the 17th century with works like 'The Canterbury Tales' which had elements of a novel in its collection of stories. Then in the 18th century, the novel really started to take shape with the works of Daniel Defoe, such as 'Robinson Crusoe'. In the 19th century, the English novel reached new heights with the works of Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and the Brontë sisters. Austen's novels focused on the social life of the gentry, while Dickens explored the social problems of the working class. The Brontë sisters brought a new level of passion and emotion to the novel. In the 20th century, modernist and post - modernist novels emerged, changing the form and style of the novel even further.

The origin of the Indian English novel can be traced back to the colonial period. As Indians came into contact with English education and Western literary forms. The development was gradual. Early works often dealt with the clash of cultures. Later, it diversified to cover various aspects of Indian society like caste, class, and gender.

The English novel has evolved through several key stages. Initially, there were early forms like the picaresque novels which had a roguish protagonist traveling and having adventures. Then came the 18th - century novels which often had a moral or satirical purpose, like those by Henry Fielding. In the 19th century, the novel really flourished with the rise of the realist novel, focusing on the daily lives and social issues of the time. Dickens is a prime example. Later, modernist novels in the 20th century broke many traditional narrative rules and explored new ways of representing consciousness.

Jane Austen is important. Her novels like 'Pride and Prejudice' are known for their portrayal of social life. Charles Dickens also played a major role. His works such as 'Oliver Twist' showed the problems of the society. Another is Virginia Woolf, who contributed to the modernist movement in the English novel.

Well, initially in the development of the English novel, it was often influenced by oral traditions. Later, during the Enlightenment period, novels started to deal with social issues more deeply. For example, Dickens' novels showed the harsh social realities. In the 20th century, novels like 'Ulysses' by Joyce broke many traditional narrative structures, marking a new era in the development of the English novel.

The emergence of female voices was a crucial milestone. Writers like Anita Desai brought a different perspective. Her novels often explored the inner lives of women in Indian society, their struggles, and their dreams. This added a new dimension to the development of the Indian English novel, which was previously dominated by male voices.

The Indian English novel has developed in various ways. Initially, it was more about portraying the social fabric of India. But as time passed, it also became a means of political expression. Writers like Arundhati Roy in 'The God of Small Things' not only showed the family and social structures but also the underlying political and power dynamics in Kerala. The development also saw the emergence of different genres within the Indian English novel, from realistic portrayals to more experimental and magical realist works.

The book may analyze the development of the English novel by looking at the interplay between form and content. For example, how the length of the novels, the use of chapters, and the structure of the plot related to the themes being explored. It could also study how the language used in the novels changed over time, from more formal and archaic in the early days to a more accessible and contemporary style as the readership broadened. This complex relationship between form and content would be a crucial aspect of understanding the development of the English novel as presented in 'McKeon Origins of the English Novel'.

The major periods include the 18th - century rise with Defoe and Richardson. Then the 19th - century Victorian era with Dickens and the Brontë sisters. And the 20th - century modernist and post - modernist periods with Woolf and Joyce.

One of the important stories in English development is the Norman Conquest in 1066. After that, French had a great influence on English. Many French words entered the English language, especially in areas like law, government, and high - society. This made English more complex and rich in vocabulary.