Defoe and the rise of the Novel – Richardson, Fielding, Smollet and Sterne by P.B., spec. 2nd sem.

Write a note on four wheels.

Or

Give an account of the contribution of the four wheels of the novel in the 18^th century.

Ans:

English novel begins with Defoe who wrote wonderful realistic stories, but he hardly began the novel proper for in the novel, as generally defined characterization should be an important element as the story. In the stories of Defoe, characters have far less interest for us than the story. Defoe chiefly advanced fiction, on its narrative side and the 18^th century until 1740 and not gone forward in the line of the characterization. A little emphasis was led on characterization in the papers of Addison, Steel and Swift’s work except “Gulliver’s Travels” which could not be classed under the heading of the novel. Baker is one of the opinions that Swift’s works could not be classed under the rank of the novel. The 18^th century novel infact begins with Richardson and ends with the comedy Jane Austen.

                The most important reason for the rise and popularity of the novel of the 18^th century is that the new literary form suited the genius and temper at the times. The contributions of Addison and Steel with the development of the periodical essays were also a reason for the rise of the novel. The 18^th century was known in English social history for the rise of the middle classes consequent upon an unprecedented increased in the volume of trade and commerce. The novel, with its realism, its democratic spilt and its concern with the everyday psychological problems of the common people appealed to the nouveaux riches. The decline of drama in the 18^th century was also responsible for the rise of the novel. The English novel of the 18^th century was flourished by four well connected persons who had been called “Four Wheels” of English Novel. They are—Samuel Richardson, Henry Fielding, Tobias Smollett and Laurence Sterne.

Samuel Richardson (1689-1761):

Samuel Richardson was the first of the greatest novelist of the 18^th century. He was a spokesman of his own times and imparted a new tone and touch to English fiction. His knowledge of human particularly female psychological and his awareness of the emotional problems of the common people was his forte. He made a close study of the feminine heart and revved it in his novels in an appreciative manner. He was pioneer like Defoe in the evolution of English novel from newspaper and journalism to novel proper. He emphasized on the cultivation of moral virtues and became a moralistic novelist by profession. He laid emphasis on sensibility and sentiment and introduced pathos in his novels. Humour and comic scenes were eschewed by him. He was all serious in his career as a novelist. He completely liberated the novel from extravagance and lack of realism of romance to concentrate on social reality.

Richardson was the greatest novelist of the 18^th century and his fame as a novelist lies in his three novels--- Pamela: Or, Virtue Rewarded (1740), Clarissa: Or the History of a Young Lady (1748) and The History of Sir Charles Grandison (1753).

His novel Pamela was written in epistolary manner and it ran in four separate volumes. His next work Clarissa Harlowe was also again epistolary kind. It is his best, this novel is the longest of all Richardson’s work and it possibly comprising more than 500 letters and possibly containing a million words. Clarissa Harlowe was followed by Sir Charles Grandson which is a book at seven volumes.

                Richardson’s main contribution to Characterization lies in the presentation of the feminine heart. He is essentially the portrayer of female characters. Richardson’s greatest ability lies in characterization. His psychological insight into human motives and feelings and particularly his understanding of feminine heart had seldom been surpassed since his days. Clarissa is his finest portrait.

Henry Fielding(1709-1754):

After Richardson, Henry Fielding was most successful novelist of the 18^th century. Some of the defects found in the novels of Richardson were sought to be removed by Henry Fielding. As against the mawkish sentiment of Richardson Fielding, he intended to introduce solid and plausible realism. He sought to present realistic picture of the society. Fielding aimed to be a reformer and a moralist of the society. The medium of reform that Fielding thought would be most efficacious and telling was irony, satire and scathing criticism of the evils. His fame as a novelist lies in his four novel: Joseph Andrews (1742), Jonathan Wild (1743), The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling (28 Feb., 1749) and Amelia (1751).

                Realism is the key not on Fielding works. The novels of Fielding are choric in character. His humour is boisterous and famous till now.

Tobias Smollett (1721-1771):

 Tobias Smollett was another remarkable novelist of the 18^th century. To the novel of sensibility of Richardson and that of character and humour shaped by Fielding, Smollett added satiric caricatures. Richardson and Fielding had grains of humanity, but Smollett for all his brilliance, had certain waspishness of character. Smollett had a neck for presenting circus tic and boisterous picture of life and he draws more towards ugliness evils than towards goodness. He found relief in turning to the world of ridicule. He did not care for the well-knit of plot. Hi novels are of picaresque kind. His characters are sordid ad vicious. His principal characters are the combodiment of selfishness, every, malice and jealousy. His fame as a novelist lies on his three novels— The Adventures of Roderick Random (1748), The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle (1751), and The Expedition of Humphry Clinker (1771). He had a descriptive and narrative gift and his picture of sea-life was unparalleled in English literature.

Lawrence Sterne (1738-68):

Lawrence Sterne was another remarkable novel writer of the 18^th century. Lawrence Sterne was a wholesome corrective Richardson and hi compliments. He was more akin to Smollett than to realism that was prevailing in English fiction. He seems to be subverted and demolish. He opposed sentiment reason and sensation to reflection. He did not care for the regular development of the plot. He introduced the impressionistic method at story telling which was later popularized in his two novels—“Tristram Shandy”(1759) and “A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy”(1768).

Wishing you all the best, by P.B.