The Novel; what it is by F. Marion Crawford
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"The Novel; what it is" by F. Marion Crawford is a critical essay on the form and essence of the novel, written in the late 19th century. This book falls within the genre of literary criticism and serves as an exploration of what constitutes a novel, its purpose, and its relationship with other forms of writing. Likely composed during the late Victorian era, Crawford's work engages in a broader conversation about the
evolving landscape of literature and the role of novelists in society. In this essay, Crawford defines the novel as an "intellectual artistic luxury," asserting that its primary function is to entertain and engage readers rather than preach or instruct them on moral or social issues. He critiques the trend of "purpose-novels," which attempt to impart moral lessons or address social issues, arguing that this undermines the inherent value of fiction as a means of escapism and enjoyment. Throughout the text, Crawford contrasts realism and romance in literature and advocates for a balanced approach that fosters both engaging storytelling and deep emotional resonance. The essay ultimately reflects on the anxieties and challenges faced by novelists in a rapidly modernizing world, urging them to create works that resonate with the complexities of human experience without falling into didacticism. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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About this eBook
| Author | Crawford, F. Marion (Francis Marion), 1854-1909 |
|---|---|
| LoC No. | 11019445 |
| Title | The Novel; what it is |
| Credits |
Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images available at The Internet Archive) |
| Reading Level | Reading ease score: 54.4 (10th to 12th grade). Somewhat difficult to read. |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | PN: Language and Literatures: Literature: General, Criticism, Collections |
| Subject | Fiction |
| Category | Text |
| eBook-No. | 51010 |
| Release Date | Jan 23, 2016 |
| Last Update | Oct 22, 2024 |
| Copyright | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 285 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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