While the novel emerged in the 18th
Century, it was in the 19th Century that it became the dominant form
of western literature, a form which has given rise to developments, reactions
and responses throughout the 20th and 21st century world.
Serialisation in periodicals meant the novel reached an increasingly wide
readership, and its subjects became those of concern to ordinary people:
industry, the city, nature, war, poverty, crime, marriage, religion. Although
the dominant trend was realistic, the novel also ventured into the domains of
fantasy, romance, adventure, horror and exploration. The century was a period
of significant social, political, economic and psychological changes and these
are registered in the work of the major novelists, a selection of whose works
will be included in this Paper. Students will be expected to undertake
individual reading of the novels; to keep in touch with lecturers; and to
submit regular written exercises on their reading. While students are encourage
to acquire hard copies of the texts, all are available in electronic format,
and most have audiobooks associated with them