20th century british fiction

Charles Dickens is very famous. He wrote many well - known works like 'Oliver Twist' and 'A Tale of Two Cities'. Another is Jane Austen, known for her novels such as 'Sense and Sensibility' and 'Emma'. Thomas Hardy is also important with his works like 'Tess of the d'Urbervilles' and 'Jude the Obscure'.

The 19th century British fiction had several notable features. The industrial revolution had a huge impact, which was reflected in the stories. For instance, the growth of cities and the problems it brought were often written about. Victorian values were also prominent, like the importance of family, propriety, and moral uprightness. Authors like George Eliot explored human relationships within the framework of these values. Moreover, the development of the novel as a literary form was significant during this time, with different sub - genres emerging.

The themes include social change. Britain went through a lot of transformation in the 20th century, like industrialization's further development and the decline of the British Empire. Fiction reflected this, showing how people adapted. Love and relationships are also common. Some works explored the complex nature of romantic love, while others delved into family relationships. And there's the theme of identity. With the various cultural and social changes, characters in 20th - century British fiction were often on a journey to discover who they were.

Virginia Woolf is a well - known author. Her works, such as 'Mrs. Dalloway', are known for their stream - of - consciousness writing style. Another is George Orwell. His novels like '1984' and 'Animal Farm' are highly regarded for their political and social commentary. D. H. Lawrence is also prominent, with works exploring human relationships and sexuality in a bold way.

There was also Edgar Allan Poe, although an American, his works influenced British science fiction. His tales often had elements of the strange and the scientific, which set the stage for later British writers to expand on in the 19th century.

One of the best 18th - century British novels is 'Robinson Crusoe' by Daniel Defoe. It tells the story of a man stranded on an island and his struggle for survival. Another great one is 'Gulliver's Travels' by Jonathan Swift, which is a satirical work. And 'Tom Jones' by Henry Fielding is also highly regarded for its vivid characters and complex plot.

Well, 'Pride and Prejudice' is a classic that still holds up in the 20th century. It's a great exploration of love and social class. Then there's 'The Lord of the Rings' by J.R.R. Tolkien. Although it has a sort of Middle - earth setting, Tolkien was a British writer and it was highly influential in the 20th century. Also, 'Animal Farm' by George Orwell is a must - mention. It uses animals on a farm to satirize totalitarian regimes.

Well, they typically had a focus on moral lessons. Writers were concerned with issues like virtue, vice, and the consequences of one's actions. Many of these novels were serialized, which influenced their structure. They would end each installment with a cliffhanger to keep the readers interested. The themes often revolved around love, family, and social mobility. Take 'Pride and Prejudice' for instance. It explored the concept of marriage within different social classes and how first impressions can be deceiving in matters of the heart.

In 19th century British dystopian novels, there were common themes like the loss of individuality. Take 'News from Nowhere' by William Morris. It envisions a future where there is a lack of personal freedom in a so - called 'utopian' society. The authors of these novels were concerned about the direction society was taking. They used their works to explore how things could go horribly wrong if certain trends, such as extreme capitalism or over - reliance on technology, continued. These novels were also a form of social commentary, highlighting the problems in the real 19th - century Britain.

Well, one characteristic is the focus on social satire. Writers like Jonathan Swift in 'Gulliver's Travels' used their novels to mock and criticize the society of that time. Another is the development of the novel as a form. It started to have more complex plots and characters compared to earlier literary works.