LIT 105 — Introduction to Prose: Lecture Note

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LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS

LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Course code: LIT 105 Course title: Introduction to Prose Literature Course credit load: 2 Units Series 1: Origins and Evolution of the English Novel Series 2: Adaptation of the English Novel in Africa Series 3: Distinctive Features of English and African Novels Series 4: Comparative Study of African and Western Prose Traditions Series 5: Major Theories and Criticisms of Fiction Proposed Outline for Series 1 Part 1.1 Historical Background of the English Novel • 1.1.1 Early prose traditions in England • 1.1.2 Social and cultural influences on the rise of the novel • 1.1.3 Pioneering authors and their contributions Part 1.2 Characteristic Features of the English Novel • 1.2.1 Narrative structure and style • 1.2.2 Themes and subject matter • 1.2.3 Language and readership Part 1.3 Evolution of the English Novel Across Periods • 1.3.1 The eighteenth-century novel • 1.3.2 The nineteenth-century novel • 1.3.3 The twentieth-century novel Part 1.4 Influence of the English Novel on Global Literature • 1.4.1 Spread of the English novel beyond Europe • 1.4.2 Adaptations and responses in Africa • 1.4.3 Legacy in contemporary prose traditions Introduction

LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS The English novel has played a central role in shaping literary traditions across the world. Emerging from earlier prose forms and responding to social and cultural changes in England, the novel quickly became a dominant mode of storytelling. Its development over centuries reflects not only artistic innovation but also the shifting concerns of society. By tracing its origins and evolution, learners will gain a deeper appreciation of how the English novel laid the foundation for prose literature and influenced other traditions, including African writing. The aim of this Series is to guide you through the historical beginnings and progressive development of the English novel, enabling you to analyse its characteristic features and evaluate its influence on global literary traditions. We shall commence this Series by examining the historical background of the English novel, focusing on early prose traditions, cultural influences, and pioneering authors. Next, we will explore the characteristic features that define the English novel, including narrative structure, themes, and readership. Following that, we will move on to its evolution across different literary periods, from the eighteenth century to the twentieth century. Finally, we will conclude by considering the influence of the English novel on global literature, particularly its spread beyond Europe and its legacy in Africa. Series Learning Outcomes Upon completing this Series, you should be able to: • SLO 1.1 define the historical background of the English novel, including early prose traditions and cultural influences, • SLO 1.2 explain the characteristic features of the English novel in terms of narrative structure, themes, and readership, • SLO 1.3 analyse the evolution of the English novel across the eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth centuries, and • SLO 1.4 evaluate the influence of the English novel on global literature, with particular attention to its spread and legacy in Africa. 1.1 Historical Background of the English Novel 1.1.1 Early prose traditions in England The novel is a long prose narrative that tells a story about human experiences, often with a focus on characters, events, and themes. Before the rise of the novel in England, earlier prose traditions such as chronicles, romances, and religious writings provided the groundwork for narrative

LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS storytelling. These texts were not novels in the modern sense, but they shaped the way stories were told and received. One of the key influences was the romance, a prose or verse narrative that often dealt with heroic adventures and courtly love. Another important tradition was the chronicle, which recorded historical events in prose form. These genres familiarised readers with extended narratives and prepared the ground for the emergence of the novel. Fill in the blank: The prose tradition known as __________ often recorded historical events and influenced the later development of the novel. Figure 1.1: Transition from prose traditions to the English novel 1.1.2 Social and cultural influences on the rise of the novel The rise of the English novel in the eighteenth century was closely linked to social and cultural changes. The growth of the middle class, defined as a social group between the aristocracy and the working class, created a new readership that desired stories reflecting everyday life. The expansion of printing technology and the availability of cheaper books also made novels more accessible. The novel became a vehicle for exploring themes such as morality, social mobility, and personal identity. Writers began to focus on realistic characters and situations, which appealed to readers who wanted to see their own lives reflected in literature. Fill in the blank: The growth of the __________ class provided a new readership that contributed to the rise of the English novel.

LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Plate 1.1: Printing press and the spread of novels 1.1.3 Pioneering authors and their contributions Several authors played a crucial role in establishing the English novel. Daniel Defoe, often regarded as one of the first novelists, wrote Robinson Crusoe (1719), which combined adventure with realistic detail. Samuel Richardson introduced the epistolary form, or storytelling through letters, in Pamela (1740). Henry Fielding contributed comic realism in works such as Tom Jones (1749). These authors demonstrated that prose fiction could be both entertaining and morally instructive. Their works laid the foundation for later novelists who expanded the scope of the genre. Fill in the blank: Samuel Richardson is best known for introducing the __________ form in his novel Pamela. Author Contribution Example Work Tobias Smollett Developed the picaresque novel, focusing on the satirical adventures of a low-born (but likable) rogue. The Adventures of Roderick Random (1748) Laurence Sterne Introduced experimental narrative and psychological depth, playing with time and "stream of consciousness" long before it was a formal term. Tristram Shandy (1759) Box 1.1: Selected pioneering authors of the English novel Pilot questions 1.1 1. Which prose tradition recorded historical events and influenced the later development of the novel? 2. What social group contributed to the rise of the English novel in the eighteenth century? 3. Name one technological development that made novels more accessible.

LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS 4. Who wrote Robinson Crusoe in 1719? 5. What narrative form did Samuel Richardson introduce in Pamela? 1.2 Characteristic Features of the English Novel 1.2.1 Narrative structure and style The narrative structure refers to the way a story is organised and presented to readers. Early English novels often employed linear plots, moving from beginning to end in a straightforward manner. Over time, writers experimented with more complex structures, such as multiple narrators or shifting perspectives. The style of the novel, meaning the author’s choice of language and technique, also evolved to suit different audiences and purposes. For instance, Richardson’s epistolary style gave readers a sense of intimacy, while Fielding’s comic realism provided humour and social commentary. These stylistic choices shaped how readers engaged with the text and how meaning was conveyed. Fill in the blank: The __________ style, used by Samuel Richardson, created intimacy by presenting the story through letters. Figure 1.2: Narrative structures in the English novel 1.2.2 Themes and subject matter The theme of a novel is its central idea or message, while the subject matter refers to the specific topics it addresses. English novels often explored themes such as morality, social class, love, and personal identity. These themes reflected the concerns of society and allowed readers to see their own lives mirrored in fiction. For example, Jane Austen’s novels frequently examined themes of marriage and social mobility, while Charles Dickens highlighted poverty and injustice. Such themes gave novels both entertainment value and moral significance. Fill in the blank: Charles Dickens often explored themes of __________ and injustice in his novels.

LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Plate 1.2: Illustration of poverty in Dickens’ novels 1.2.3 Language and readership The language of the English novel was shaped by its intended readership, meaning the group of people who read and responded to the text. Early novels often used plain, accessible language to appeal to the growing middle class. As literacy expanded, novels became a popular form of entertainment and moral instruction. The readership influenced not only the language but also the topics chosen by authors. Writers sought to engage readers by reflecting their everyday experiences, concerns, and aspirations. This connection between language and readership helped the novel become a dominant literary form. Fill in the blank: Early English novels often used __________ language to appeal to the growing middle class. Feature Description Example Characterization The development of complex, "round" characters who change over time. Jane Austen’s Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice Social Commentary Using the narrative to critique contemporary laws, class

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