Abstract
This chapter considers the period after the Plague as well as the Fire of London. During this time, the euphoria of Charles II's Restoration faltered and the defeated ‘Puritan’ voice re-emerged, which proved momentous for the history of the novel, even though no major English novels appeared. The chapter reveals fascinating experiments with the romance genre, prefaces that promote the self-conscious author and conduct lively theoretical debates over the nature of fiction, translations of canonical works, and a general move towards realism, loosely defined. ‘Novelistic’ features developed in many genres. Meanwhile, other members of the Royal Society developed habits of observing and recording minutiae in their own experience. This close attention to details conventionally considered trivial — common to the scientific revolution and to the self-scrutiny demanded by radical Protestantism — played a significant role in the evolution of novelistic realism.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
