English Literature

Section A
The two texts, Fanny Burneys Evelina and Jonathan Swifts Gullivers Travels, are examples of novels that were able to achieve significant market and critical success, . Both novels illustrate the role of novels as a form of social critique or commentary, partly in reaction to the censorship implemented in English theatres in 19th century. The formers focus is to provide commentary of the social systems that often are superficial and obsessed with maintaining appearances. The issue of social classes, whether they be based on gender or social economic status had been a dominant theme in English literature, particularly in popular literature. Thus, the adoption of such themes into novels is not surprising and would eventually become one of the main theses of the most popular novel writers.  Swifts Gullivers Travels has a similar purpose but the commentary may be focused on the imperialistic pursuits of European countries. The satirical voice of the story despite it being also designed for very young readers is considered to be an effort of the author to espouse critical thinking about social and political systems

Evelina presents a less modern take on the novel, the structure being a cross between drama and narratives. In contrast, Gullivers Travels, follows a descriptive narrative prose form. This is an illustration of the evolution of the form of novels. Early novels were very similar to the form of drama literature but as the novel genre, narrative descriptions were employed more. The shift can also be attributed to the development of novels not only for entertainment purposes but as academic writing. As political and social novels were strictly first person narratives, this presented the basis mid-range works to also adopt a combined form, a combining dramatic dialogue and descriptive narrative. As Evelina is a forerunner of the development of the novel as literary drama of the genre, Gullivers Travels is considered as a forerunner of both the modern novel and the proto-science fiction genre. Thus, it can be said that both novels were critical in the development of the novel genre an expanded the styles that could be used within the genre.

Similar to Defoes Robinson Cursoe, analysis of the Gulliver text echoes Smiths endorsement of Thomas Hobbes socio-political philosophies which was questioning much of the social institutions that were being endorsed in Europe. In this perspective, the novel has a distinct political dimension and can easily be extended to economic issues. At the same time, the novel marks a shift in world view Swifts view is more global. Evelinas is focused on the individual and class relationships similar to psychological or social psychological studies. Though this may simply be attributed to the authorship, this can also be seen as the social evolution towards internationalization. In both cases, there is reinforcement of how novels are socially motivated or have social references but in either case, the ulterior object of the commentary or critique is remain to be inferences.

Another key point of comparison between the two texts is the how drama is created or how the audience is being engaged. It can be said that both texts aims to appeal emotionally and intellectually to readers, the latter being more apparent in Smiths novel. Evelina is more suited for individual reading which follows the tradition of the novella predecessors of the novel. It also primarily communicates emotion from the dialogue of the characters. In the text provided for the analysis, the situation, the characters distress is communicated by the distress that they display through their dialogue and interaction with each other. At the same time, by the characters and their characterizations give authenticity to the drama or emotions of the story. In contrast, in Gullivers Travels, the drama is created through the narrative. This makes it more oral reading which may have been deliberate on Smiths part since the novel was indeed designed for children. Smith creates authenticity from the details that he provides and the engagement of the readers visualization of the textual imagery. Thus, given the need to communicate similar sentiments, Burneys text is, Poor Mr. Lovel, too much intimidated to stand his ground, yet too much enraged to submit, turned hastily round, and, forgetful of consequences, vented his passion by giving a furious blow to the monkey. While Smiths text for the similar situation is, I heard Glumdalclitch give a shriek at the moment he was carrying me out.The poor girl was almost distracted that quarter of the palace was all in an uproar the servants ran for ladders.... The first text is clear more emotive while the latter is using imagery to imply the distress of the situation.

In some ways, it can be said that directly comparisons of the two texts has a greater value in studying the evolution of novels rather than actual literary or text comparative studies. However, though the two novels are very dissimilar, particularly considering the example texts provided for study, they are both good examples of novel and can be a great resource in understanding how the genre developed. Their main similarity lies in their motivation to provide social and political critique using an entertaining or engaging form which is designed for a mass audience. In contrast, they are very different in form and structure. Because Smiths work has traditionally been directed to a younger audience, it may be interpreted that it is a less serious work but in fact, a study of its text reveals its satirical approach to its commentary. They also represent distinctly different periods of development of the novel genre. In conclusion, While Burneys work can be characterized as a prototype of the literary genre of early novels, Smiths novel marks the beginning of the modern contemporary novel. Thus, the main similarities between the two texts will be due mainly to the fact that they belong to the genre and their contrasts can be primarily attributed to the difference in their context, target audience, authors perspective and purpose for writing the material.

 Section B which account of the rise of the novel do you find the most convincing and why
Novels refer to long narrative literary prose that has been closely associated with the development of printing technology and the growth of the middle class. The term also connotes the innovative quality of the genre as literature designed for a mass market and not for an elite group. Its roots have been traced to both medieval and early modern romance genres, particularly to the tradition of the novella but the actual use of the word novel came into the vernacular only in the 18th century. Furthermore, the development of the novel has primarily been credited on the development of the genre in Europe though similar literary traditions also developed concurrently in Asia particularly in East and South Asia. Though some early novels were able to get academic recognition, much of the novels were considered as entertainment. In the middle ages, there was delineation between romances and the compilations of serial from periodicals, but more modern use of the genre encompasses a much wider scope. Developing insights on the rise of the novel is not only an important literary study but also provides critical insights into social and economic developments.

In many of the early examples of the novel, popular appeal was a key motivation. At the same time, the genre also became a platform for social political reform. Many of the novels sought to provide social, political and historical commentary, differentiating it from the romances that initially were made popular. Fieldings view of the genre shows that he considered the novel as an innovative form of literature that goes beyond literary value after turning to novel writing after under the pressure of prevailing censorship rules, he developed realistic novels that will serve as icons of the seminal novels of English literature. In retrospect, this also marks the development of novels for psychological a psychosocial studies which further reinforced the intellectual value of the genre versus other earlier literature predecessors. Ultimately, the implication is that the rise of the novel came about with the development of popular literature, growth in sociopolitical consciousness and censorship in other literary genre, particularly those imposed over theatric productions.

In Evelina, the purpose of the novel has a utilitarian purpose. One remarkable thing about the novel is that it is designed for women, whose reading materials were generally limited to romances or what were considered as trivial literature. In Evelina, the novel as a literary genre is recognized for its literary value but also developed a more intellectual value, primarily as instruction of proper or ideal behavior. Some can even consider books such as this as among early sociopsychological studies regarding the role and position of women in society. Essentially, this marks not only recognition of womens concerns and interests but also their buying power, which today, represents the bulk of current purchases of books published under the genre of novels.

As the novels became widely popular and more authors developed their own work, the genre developed value not only literarily but also in terms of social regards. This positioned the novels highly among popular forms of literature. This perception was further reinforced by the abundance of authors that utilized the genre from socio-political critique, character of psychological studies as well developing political and social theories through narrative studies. Thus, acquisition of novels became a status symbol of not only wealth but also of intellectualism and modernity. Thus, this created and legitimized the publication of novels as an industry not only for the masses but across social and income levels. This allowed for investment into industry improving production, operations and distribution, that by the 19th century, publishing companies were beginning worldwide distribution of novels, one of the major reasons for the intellectual revolutions that would be the foundation of much of the social and political reforms in Europe in late 19th century.

The rise of the novel illustrates how much development in literature reflects social and political changes. The rise of the middle class may have given rise to its development but the novels have sustained social development, political thought and the growth of economies and market based on increasing knowledge and human capacity. It has paved the way for determining the social value of individual members of society, creating the foundations for social emancipation, human rights social welfare perspectives that have in turn become the foundations of modern government, legislation and policies. As Ian Watt point out, novels were critical for society to question the systems that governed society, creating platforms of discussion that go beyond texts and creating competitiveness in developing thought and knowledge. In conclusion, the perspective presented regarding the rise of the novel are all valid and provide unique insights how it has grown as a plain form of entertainment to greater intellectual value. There is also insight on how it has now become a major industry and has created new ones through adaptations in cinema, theatre and televisions.