1. The rise of the novel

2. THE NEED FOR REALISM
The 18th century in England is the AGE OF THE NOVEL.
18th-century novels are characterized by a great NEED FOR REALISM, in the sense that novels deal with contemporary and realistic objects, language and situations.
The language of the novel also reflects this tendency: it is simple, clear, quite similar to that of newspapers and magazines.
The main features of the modern novel are:
a great stress on contemporary reality (current events);
chronological sequence of events;
abundance of realistic information, descriptions and details;
novelty of the stories;
use of contemporary language.

3. THE NOVEL AND THE MIDDLE CLASS
The readers of novels mainly come from the commercial and mercantile middle class, whose ethos is especially REALISTIC and PRACTICAL.
The novel wants to satisfy the needs and the tastes of the new middle class who asks for ORIGINAL STORIES DEALING WITH ORDINARY EXPERIENCES AND EVENTS.
The characters are people who live in a world that is common to their readers.

4. KINDS OF MODERN NOVEL
The REALISTIC NOVEL: time and place are realistic and detailed (Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe)
UTOPIAN FICTION: imaginary worlds or countries are used as a counterpart to actual imperfect and corrupt societies (Gulliver‘s Travels by Jonathan Swift)
The EPISTOLARY NOVEL: an exchange of letters between some correspondents – psychological analysis of the characters too (Pamela and Clarissa by Samuel Richardson)

5. 4. The PICARESQUE NOVEL: it deals with the adventures and misadventures of a young, reckless hero on the road who tries to make a living and to be happy and with his process of growing up (Tom Jones by Henry Fielding)
5. The SENTIMENTAL NOVEL: sentimental stories (they tell simple, naive experiences) and a type of writing which arouse strong emotions in their readers (A Sentimental Journey through France and Italy by Laurence Sterne)