Fiction and Short Stories - 5 Chapter Notes | Crash Course for UGC NET English Literature PDF Download

Romantic Age (1798–1837)

Solitary Beauty

The Romantic Age in literature began with the publication of "Lyrical Ballads" by poets Samuel Taylor Coleridge and William Wordsworth. This period focused on the inherent goodness of ordinary people and the importance of the individual. It is also known as the age of revolution due to various political and social upheavals.

Key Characteristics

• The ideals of the French Revolution — Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity—were embraced by English society, leading to the formation of many patriotic clubs.
• While the economy prospered in certain areas, many workers experienced significant difficulties due to industrialization.
• With advancements in steel and machinery, England earned the title of the "workshop of the world".
• The widening gap between the rich and the poor, a result of mechanization, became a central theme in English novels.
• Writers brought attention to the deplorable conditions faced by industrial laborers.
• The pastoral and natural landscapes inspired writers to convey a sense of solitude.
• This era is characterized by a departure from restrained writing, with authors placing greater emphasis on imagination and innovative style.

Literary Features of the Period

Gothic Mystery

• In this literary period, imagination, fantasy, and passion took precedence over reason in creative works.
• There was a strong emphasis on emotions and instincts, marking a shift in focus.
• Literature during this time delved into mystery and fantasy, exploring realms beyond the ordinary.
• Personal experience was valued more than strict rules and artistic traditions, allowing for greater individual expression.
• The ideals of individualism and a humanitarian spirit were celebrated, reflecting a shift towards personal and social responsibility.
• Writers were regarded as 'inspired creators', emphasizing their role in bringing forth original ideas rather than just technical proficiency.
• Idealism played a crucial role, with the mind being considered more important than physical matter.
• Nature and the wilderness emerged as significant sources of inspiration, reflecting a deep connection with the natural world.

Literary Trends

• Gothic Novels
• The Gothic novel, primarily developed by Horace Walpole in his work The Castle of Otranto, is characterized by several key features:
• Setting in an isolated or abandoned old castle with dark, secretive, and often haunted passages.
• A narrative built around an unknown mystery or suspense that unfolds gradually, creating a sense of fear and uncertainty.
• The castle or its inhabitants being tied to an old prophecy that adds to the confusion and intrigue.
• Characters experiencing omens, portents, and dream visions that warn them of supernatural occurrences.
• The inclusion of supernatural elements such as ghosts, spirits, and inanimate objects coming to life, sometimes with natural explanations.

Damsel in Distress

Conflict and Rescue

• The 'Damsel in Distress' trope involves a vulnerable female character who is easily subjected to violence and possession and requires rescue.
• These stories often feature a villain driven by passion or a powerful, impulsive, and tyrannical anti-hero.
• The narration is sentimental and emotionally rich, with characters experiencing intense fear, terror, anger, sorrow, and surprise. Breathlessness and panic are common elements in the storytelling.

Jacobin Novels

• Jacobin novels, written between 1780 and 1805 by British radicals supporting the French Revolution, aimed to spread revolutionary ideas among the lower classes as literacy increased.
• Coined by literary scholar Gary Kelly in The English Jacobin Novel, the term refers to works by authors such as William Godwin, Robert Bage, Elizabeth Inchbald, and Charlotte Turner Smith.
• These novelists sought to influence the lower classes with their radical beliefs, depicting characters who confront unjust governmental processes and the existing power structure.

Novel of Manners

• The novel of manners, which emerged in the 19th century, aims to recreate a fictional social world, providing a detailed portrayal of English social life.
• Characters from various social classes interact within a single narrative, reflecting the intricacies of social behaviour and codes of conduct in a changing society.
• Prominent writers associated with this genre include Henry James, Evelyn Waugh, Jane Austen, Fanny Burney, Edith Wharton, and John Marquand.
• The growing interest in social behaviour and the evolving codes of conduct in English society contributed to the rise of the novel of manners.

Historical Fiction

Gothic Majesty

Historical fiction is a genre that started in the 19th century, featuring stories set in the past. Sir Walter Scott, a Scottish novelist, is credited with founding this genre, which includes characters and situations based on real historical events. The genre often grapples with the balance between historical accuracy and fictional elements, sparking discussions among readers and critics. Scholars delve deeper into the genre's various themes and critical aspects. Prominent authors in historical fiction include French writer Honoré de Balzac, American novelist James Fenimore Cooper, and Russian literary giant Leo Tolstoy.

Major Novelists

Horace Walpole (1717–1797)

Walpole was an English novelist, art historian, letter writer, Whig politician, and the youngest son of Sir Robert Walpole, regarded as the first de facto Prime Minister of Great Britain. He is most famous for being the pioneer of Gothic fiction, drawing inspiration from his Strawberry Hill House in Twickenham. In 1764, he published The Castle of Otranto anonymously, claiming it was a translation from Italian by Onuphirio Muralto. In the second edition, he subtitled it as A Gothic Story. The novel's elements of Gothic architecture, dark character backstories, hidden secrets, and supernatural occurrences set a standard for future Gothic tales.

The Castle of Otranto (1764)

• The Castle of Otranto is a groundbreaking novel that fuses Medievalism with elements of terror, establishing a style that would endure over time.
• The plot begins on the wedding day of Lord Manfred’s son, Conrad, and his bride, Isabella.
• Shortly before the ceremony, a massive helmet falls on Conrad, resulting in his immediate death.
• Lord Manfred, fearing the loss of his lordship due to a prophecy that foretells the castle and its lordship will pass to the true owner when they outgrow it,
• attempts to force Isabella to marry him.
• Isabella escapes with the help of a peasant named Theodore, who is later revealed to be the rightful heir to the castle.
• After a series of terrifying adventures, Manfred accidentally kills his daughter, Matilda, mistaking her for Isabella.
• Overcome with regret, Manfred turns to religion, while Theodore and Isabella marry.

Ann Radcliffe

Mystical Romance

Ann Radcliffe is considered the first writer of Gothic fiction. She gained respect for the Gothic genre and made her mark in mainstream literature during the 1790s. Radcliffe was one of the most popular authors of her time, praised by critics as an influential figure in the romance genre. She is primarily recognized for her use of the supernatural and her focus on landscape in her works.

Key Works

• The Romance of the Forest (1791): This novel established Radcliffe's reputation in romance writing. It follows the journey of Pierre de la Motte and his wife Constance, who are escaping their creditors and settle in an old house. The story unfolds over three volumes, exploring the couple's psychological state as they hide from their pursuers.
• The Mysteries of Udolpho (1794): Set in a Gothic castle of the same name, this novel narrates the experiences of Emily St. Aubert. She faces the death of her parents, supernatural threats, hauntings, and the schemes of an Italian brigand. Orphaned after her father's passing, Emily is held captive by the brigand, who also tries to end her romance with the charming Valancourt. This work was later parodied by Jane Austen in Northanger Abbey.
• The Italian, or the Confessional of the Black Penitents (1797): Radcliffe's final published book, The Italian, deals with themes of the aristocracy, religion, and nationality. It is notable for its villain, Father Schedoni, a character who inspired the dangerously alluring Byronic archetype.

Matthew Gregory Lewis

Gothic Romance

He was a writer of novels and plays, and he is most famous for his Gothic novel called The Monk. This novel was influenced by the works of Radcliffe, and its horror elements were inspired by German literature.

The Monk: A Romance (1796)

• Male Gothic: Unlike typical Gothic novels featuring damsels in distress, "The Monk" is a prime example of male Gothic literature.
• Complex Structure: The novel has a intricate and scandalous structure and content.
• Dual Plotlines:
  • Main Plot: Follows the corruption and downfall of Monk Ambrosio, aided by the disguised demon Matilda, as he attempts to assault the virtuous maiden Antonio.
  • Subplot: Explores the romance between Raymond and the nun Agnes.
• Ambrosio's Damnation: When Ambrosio successfully assaults Antonio, Lucifer comes to claim his soul per their pact, resulting in Ambrosio's eternal damnation due to his actions.
• Themes: Highlights themes of eroticism, obsession, and the corrupting effects of power.
• Provocative Content: Notably provocative due to its portrayal of scenes involving sexual violence.

Clara Reeve

The Old English Baron (1777)

• Literary Descendant: This novel is considered the literary descendant of "The Castle of Otranto."
• Anonymous Publication: It was initially published anonymously under the title "The Champion of Virtue."