Origins and Evolution of the 18th Century European Novel

The Origins of the Modern Novel

The birth of the modern novel was driven by the rise of the bourgeoisie, which demanded a realistic genre that was relatively simple and accessible to a new class of readers, including bourgeois women. Consequently, female characters began to appear more frequently in sentimental narratives.

The English Novel: Daniel Defoe

Starting with the 1719 publication of Robinson Crusoe, Defoe utilized a first-person narrative to showcase the protagonist's progress from youth to maturity. The central theme of the novel is the human capacity to dominate and transform nature. Robinson achieves his objectives through a bourgeois approach, relying on hard work, reason, and his concept of civilization.

Jonathan Swift: A Critique of Humanity

Swift represents a profound lack of faith in mankind. Gulliver's Travels is a bitter, ironic novel that fiercely denounces human corruption and organized evil through four distinct journeys:

• Lilliput: A parody of the English parliamentary system.
• Brobdingnag: A critique of the corruptions of the court.
• Laputa: A satire of scientists and philosophers.
• Land of the Houyhnhnms: A depiction of the corrupt nature of humanity that leaves the protagonist ashamed of his own species.

The French Novel

Montesquieu

In Persian Letters, Montesquieu displays a critical vision of French society, denouncing the corruptions of the court and ridiculing those who viewed Persians as barbarians.

Voltaire

Representing the new intellectual style of the Enlightenment, Voltaire's Candide is characterized by its brevity, symbolism, allegory, and moral criticism, favoring an exotic atmosphere over strict realism.

Rousseau

In Emile, Rousseau describes the formation of an individual isolated from social contact, proposing an educational system that respects the realm of nature to ensure individual happiness.

The German Novel: Goethe

In The Sorrows of Young Werther, Goethe recounts the passionate, unrequited love of Werther for Charlotte. The protagonist's misfortune ends in suicide, reflecting a rebellion against the moral standards of the time, which was considered highly advanced for the era.