Question

The epistolary novel, a narrative told through letters, was a popular form in the later 18th century. Which of the following is a famous example of this form from that period?

• A. Pride and Prejudice
• B. Clarissa
• C. Wuthering Heights
• D. Ivanhoe

Answer 1

Answer:

B. Clarissa

The Epistolary Novel in the 18th Century

Popularity and Characteristics

• The 18th century witnessed a significant rise in the popularity of the epistolary novel, a literary genre that unfolds its narrative through a series of letters exchanged between characters.
• This form allowed for an intimate and personal perspective, giving readers direct access to characters' thoughts, feelings, and immediate reactions.
• It was particularly well-suited for exploring themes of social customs, romantic relationships, and moral dilemmas prevalent in the era.

Key Examples and Context

• Clarissa by Samuel Richardson (published 1748) is a quintessential and highly influential example of the epistolary novel from this period.
• Richardson's work is renowned for its psychological depth and its detailed portrayal of a young woman's virtuous struggle against social and personal pressures.
• Other notable 18th-century epistolary novels that might appear in comparative literature exams include:
  • Pamela; or, Virtue Rewarded (1740) also by Samuel Richardson.
  • Les Liaisons dangereuses (1782) by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos (French, but highly influential in English literary studies).
  • The Sorrows of Young Werther (1774) by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (German, also influential).
• The epistolary form enabled authors to create a sense of realism and immediacy, mimicking the correspondence that was a vital part of social life in the 18th century.
• This genre paved the way for later developments in psychological realism and character-driven narratives in English literature.