János Barcsák, Márta Pellérdi

English literature 1660-1900


Henry Fielding and the Comic Epic in Prose

In Henry Fielding’s hands the novel or the comic epic-poem in prose, as he called it, acquires a carefully designed structure which he presents through a new, omniscient type of narrator. Fielding’s purpose is not only to entertain and highlight the intricacies of a carefully designed plot, but to set before the reader human nature itself. With a wide variety of characters from different layers of society, he shapes the novel into the form with which we are most familiar today. While Fielding is entertaining readers, he is also conducting a philosophical inquiry into the moral nature of man and discussing literary issues. He consistently argues in favour of a more suitable literary critical approach to the novel which was then regarded as a morally and artistically suspicious genre, lower in rank than verse and drama. It is with Fielding’s contributions to the eighteenth century English novel that this new type of fiction achieves a greater level of acceptance. The passion for life that his heroes feel, the energy and keen sense of humour with which his novels are narrated, the intrusive authorial essays and complexity of the plots reflect Fielding’s wit and originality, his critical approach to human nature and society, his knowledge of different (low as well as classic) literary traditions, and his awareness that he was developing a completely new genre.

English literature 1660-1900

Tartalomjegyzék


Kiadó: Akadémiai Kiadó

Online megjelenés éve: 2018

ISBN: 978 963 454 261 2

A history of the English literature is presented here, with a scope on the years 1660 to 1900. The book is written in three main parts; beginning with the Restoration Period of the 17th century, followed by the first, and second halves of the 18th century. Thus, a sequential development of literary genres is presented, with explorations of the key figures and texts which drove these. The book also synthesises the historical, cultural and sociological background which gave rise to this literature, and allows the reader to effectively contextualise these.

Hivatkozás: https://mersz.hu/barcsak-pellerdi-english-literature-1660-1900//

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