‘Moral Romance’ and the Novel at Mid-Century

Abstract

This chapter discusses several developments pertaining to the phenomenon of ‘moral romance’ as well as the state of the novel at mid-century. The 1740s were a pivotal decade for the novel in English, particularly because of the rivalry between Samuel Richardson and Henry Fielding. Both writers notably disparaged conventional ideas about romance. In addition, the chapter explores moral romance in Sarah Fielding's The Adventures of David Simple (1744). It shows that, although she uses the phrase ‘Moral Romance’ so diffidently in her short-lived Advertisement, Sarah Fielding has more to say about romance- and novel-writing within David Simple itself. Finally, the chapter considers the state of the novel at mid-century.