The Rise of the English Novel: Defoe, Richardson, and Fielding’s Contributions
Keywords:
It is not surprising to find that Daniel Defoe molds his Robinson Crusoe (1719) on a real story while Samuel Richardson in Pamela (1740) turns out to be didactic to meet the needs of the growing numbers of female readers. On his part, Henry FieldingAbstract
The emergence of the English novel in the eighteenth century represented a major
shift in literature, moving away from poetry and drama toward prose fiction that
examined personal experience and social conditions. This paper explores the
foundational contributions of Daniel Defoe, Samuel Richardson, and Henry Fielding,
whose works helped shape the modern novel. Defoe’s stories, such as Robinson
Crusoe, introduced realistic narrative techniques and psychological depth, focusing on
survival, morality, and individual initiative. Richardson’s epistolary novels, including
Pamela and Clarissa, emphasized emotional complexity and ethical challenges,
offering insight into the characters’ inner lives. Fielding, through works like Tom
Jones, combined satire, intricate plotting, and social observation, creating layered
narratives that reflected the wider society. Collectively, these authors established key
narrative methods and thematic concerns that influenced the development of the
English novel and guided later writers. This study examines their unique approaches
and the ways in which their innovations contributed to the evolution of the novel as a
central literary form.
References
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Terry Eagleton, The English Novel: An Introduction (Oxford: Blackwell,
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Ralph Rader, “Defoe, Richardson, and Fielding,” ELH 23, no. 3 (1956): 214.
