6.2 Defoe's contributions to the novel form
4 min read•august 1, 2024
Daniel Defoe revolutionized English literature by pioneering the novel form in the early 18th century. His works, like "" and "," focused on ordinary individuals and everyday experiences, combining elements of autobiography, journalism, and adventure stories.
Defoe's novels departed from earlier prose fiction by introducing extended narrative and complex, flawed characters readers could relate to. He balanced entertainment with social commentary, exploring moral dilemmas faced by ordinary people while incorporating detailed descriptions of contemporary society and settings.
Defoe's Role in the Novel
Pioneering the English Novel
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- Daniel Defoe pioneered the English novel in the early 18th century
- "Robinson Crusoe" (1719) and "Moll Flanders" (1722) established early examples of the novel form
- Focused on ordinary individuals and everyday experiences rather than aristocratic heroes
- Combined elements of autobiography, journalism, and adventure stories
- Emphasized psychological and
- Demonstrated commercial viability of long-form prose fiction
- Proved novels could be both popular and profitable
- Encouraged other authors to explore the form
Departing from Earlier Prose Fiction
- Introduced extended narrative prose fiction
- Created template for future novelists to follow
- Shifted focus from mythical or legendary tales to realistic stories
- Developed complex, flawed characters readers could relate to
- Incorporated detailed descriptions of contemporary society and settings
- Explored moral and ethical dilemmas faced by ordinary people
- Balanced entertainment with social commentary and critique
Realism and Verisimilitude in Defoe
Journalistic Style and Historical Context
- Employed journalistic style presented fictional events as factual accounts
- Included meticulous details about locations, historical events, and social conditions
- Described London streets and neighborhoods in "Moll Flanders"
- Referenced real historical figures and events (Great Plague of London in "A Journal of the Plague Year")
- Incorporated real historical events and figures into fictional narratives
- Blurred lines between fact and fiction
- Enhanced sense of authenticity for readers
- Attention to practical and economic aspects of characters' lives
- Detailed Crusoe's efforts to survive on the island
- Described Moll's financial struggles and criminal activities
Character Development and Narration
- Presented characters as complex individuals with virtues and flaws
- Used first-person narration created illusion of authenticity and immediacy
- Robinson Crusoe's personal account of his island experiences
- Moll Flanders' confessional narrative of her life
- Portrayed realistic human psychology and motivation
- Explored characters' inner thoughts and decision-making processes
- Showed how circumstances shaped characters' choices and actions
- Created relatable protagonists readers could empathize with
- Crusoe's loneliness and resourcefulness
- Moll's struggle for survival and social advancement
Narrative Techniques in Defoe
First-Person Narration and Character Development
- Used first-person narration allowed readers to connect with protagonists
- Provided direct access to characters' thoughts and feelings
- Created sense of intimacy between reader and narrator
- Employed confessional tone with characters reflecting on past actions
- Added depth to personalities and motivations
- Explored moral implications of characters' choices
- Characters underwent significant development throughout stories
- Reflected real-life personal growth and adaptation
- Showed how experiences shaped characters' worldviews and behaviors
- Incorporated moral dilemmas and ethical quandaries
- Added complexity to characters and stories
- Forced characters to make difficult decisions (Crusoe's relationship with )
Storytelling Structure and Descriptive Elements
- Utilized episodic structure maintained reader interest
- Created series of adventures or incidents
- Allowed for varied pacing and multiple plot threads
- Incorporated elements of suspense and foreshadowing
- Built narrative tension
- Kept readers engaged throughout long narratives
- Used vivid, sensory descriptions immersed readers in story settings
- Detailed accounts of physical environments (Crusoe's island)
- Brought 18th-century London to life in "Moll Flanders"
- Balanced action with introspection and reflection
- Provided exciting plot developments alongside character growth
- Allowed readers to experience both external and internal journeys of protagonists
Social and Political Commentary in Defoe
Class and Social Mobility
- Addressed contemporary social issues (class mobility, gender roles, economic inequality)
- Critiqued rigid class structure of 18th-century England
- Explored themes of social advancement and pursuit of wealth
- Showed characters striving to improve their social standing (Moll Flanders)
- Portrayed struggles of marginalized groups (women, criminals, working class)
- Offered insight into experiences often overlooked in literature
- Highlighted social injustices and inequalities of the time
Political Themes and Allegory
- Reflected Defoe's own experiences and beliefs in his works
- Supported religious tolerance and constitutional monarchy
- Drew from his background in journalism and political pamphleteering
- Incorporated allegorical elements to comment on current events
- Avoided direct naming of controversial topics
- Used fictional scenarios to explore real-world political issues
- Explored tension between individual desires and societal expectations
- Highlighted moral complexities of 18th-century society
- Examined conflicts between personal ambition and social norms
- Portrayed and cross-cultural encounters
- Offered nuanced commentary on European expansion (Robinson Crusoe's interactions with Friday)
- Explored impact of colonialism on both colonizers and indigenous peoples
Key Terms to Review (17)
Character development: Character development refers to the process of creating a believable and complex character that evolves throughout a narrative. This development is essential for building a connection between the character and the reader, allowing for emotional engagement and thematic exploration. Well-developed characters often undergo significant changes that reflect the influences of their experiences, relationships, and environments, which is particularly important in the context of the novel form and its stylistic approaches.
Colonialism: Colonialism is the practice of acquiring full or partial control over a territory and its people, often involving the establishment of settlements and the exploitation of resources. This term encompasses not just the physical domination of lands, but also the cultural, economic, and social impacts that arise from such control. It plays a significant role in shaping literature and thought during the late-17th to mid-19th century, influencing key authors and their contributions as well as the development of novel forms.
Early modernism: Early modernism refers to a cultural and literary movement that emerged in the late 19th century, characterized by a break from traditional forms and an exploration of new narrative techniques and perspectives. It reflects the anxieties and complexities of a rapidly changing world, particularly in response to industrialization, urbanization, and shifts in social norms, which set the stage for the development of modernist literature.
Epistolary structure: Epistolary structure refers to a literary format where a narrative is conveyed through letters, diary entries, or other forms of correspondence. This technique allows for a more intimate and personal portrayal of characters' thoughts and feelings, often creating a sense of immediacy and authenticity in the storytelling.
First-person narrative: A first-person narrative is a storytelling technique where the narrator recounts events from their own perspective, using 'I' or 'we' pronouns. This style allows readers to experience the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of the narrator, creating an intimate connection between the character and the audience. It often influences how events are interpreted and can establish a unique voice that reflects the narrator's personality and worldview.
Formalism: Formalism is a critical approach to literature that emphasizes the structure, style, and form of a text over its content or context. It focuses on the literary elements such as narrative technique, symbolism, and language, allowing readers to analyze how these components contribute to a text's meaning. This approach considers literature as an art form, encouraging an appreciation of its aesthetic qualities.
Foundational narrative: A foundational narrative is a story or account that establishes the underlying principles, beliefs, or values of a culture, community, or literary genre. It serves as a basis upon which further stories and interpretations are built, often shaping identity and understanding of historical contexts. In the realm of literature, foundational narratives help to define the conventions and expectations of specific genres, particularly in the development of the novel form.
Friday: Friday, in the context of literature and specifically in the works of Daniel Defoe, is significant for its representation of time and survival, particularly as seen in 'Robinson Crusoe'. It symbolizes the routine of existence and the human struggle against isolation. The day serves to mark the passage of time on Crusoe's island, emphasizing his personal development and the transformation of his character throughout his ordeal.
Historical criticism: Historical criticism is a method of literary analysis that examines a text in the context of its historical and cultural background. This approach helps to uncover the influences and events surrounding the time of its creation, shedding light on the author's intentions and the societal issues at play. By considering the historical context, readers can better understand themes, characters, and narrative styles, making connections to how literature reflects and critiques its own time.
Individualism: Individualism is a social and political philosophy that emphasizes the moral worth of the individual, advocating for personal freedom and self-reliance. This concept connects deeply to various cultural and literary movements, influencing how characters are portrayed and how narratives unfold, particularly during periods of societal transformation.
Moll Flanders: Moll Flanders is a novel written by Daniel Defoe, first published in 1722, that follows the life and adventures of a young woman born in Newgate Prison who seeks wealth and security through various means, including crime and marriage. This novel is pivotal in illustrating Defoe's contributions to the development of the English novel by presenting complex characters and moral ambiguity, which were innovative for its time.
Novel as a genre: The novel as a genre is a long, fictional narrative that explores complex themes, character development, and often involves a plot that unfolds over time. This form allows for deeper exploration of human experiences and societal issues, offering readers a window into different worlds through the eyes of its characters. The novel became increasingly popular in the 17th and 18th centuries, with authors experimenting with style and structure, setting the foundation for modern literature.
Picaresque novel: A picaresque novel is a narrative that follows the adventures of a rogue or a picaro, usually of low social class, who lives by their wits in a corrupt society. This genre often presents a realistic and satirical portrayal of society, emphasizing themes like social criticism, adventure, and the exploration of various social classes. The picaresque structure typically features a series of loosely connected episodes rather than a strict plot, allowing for a broad commentary on human nature and societal issues.
Realism: Realism is a literary movement that emerged in the mid-19th century, focusing on the representation of everyday life and society with a truthful and objective approach. It seeks to portray ordinary people, their struggles, and the complexities of social dynamics without embellishment or idealization, aiming to depict reality as it truly is. This movement marks a shift from romanticism's focus on imagination and emotion to a more grounded representation of life.
Robinson Crusoe: Robinson Crusoe is a novel written by Daniel Defoe, first published in 1719, that tells the story of a shipwrecked sailor who spends 28 years on a deserted island, encountering various challenges and personal transformations. This narrative is significant as it showcases the early development of the English novel and highlights Defoe's innovative contributions to storytelling techniques, character development, and themes of individualism and survival.
The Enlightenment: The Enlightenment was an intellectual and cultural movement in the 17th and 18th centuries that emphasized reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional authority. This period encouraged the use of reason as a means to understand and improve society, impacting literature through the rise of satire as a tool for social critique, shaping literary forms such as the novel, and influencing writers' approaches to storytelling and character development.
The rise of the middle class: The rise of the middle class refers to the significant growth of a social class that emerged between the aristocracy and the working class, characterized by increased economic power, education, and influence in society. This development led to new cultural and literary expressions that reflected their values, experiences, and aspirations, contributing to the overall transformation of social structures during this period.