The contribution of the Eighteenth Century periodical to the development of the novel in England
Date
8/30/1934
Authors
Taylor, Willie Lee
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Abstract
Description
The novel in the modern and specific sense of the
word had not yet come into existence at the beginning of
the eighteenth century. All the factors necessary to
produce it, however, were present at least in a rudimentary
form when the century got under way. The periodical
had its origin in England at approximately this same time
and was, in considerable measure, the product of the same
social and intellectual factors that produced the novel.
To a curious investigator of complete editions of
twelve of these outstanding eighteenth century periodicals
(Tatler, Spectator, Guardian, Rambler, Adventurer, World,
Connoisseur, Idler, Mirror, Lounger, Observer, and Looker-On) there comes a distinct surprise at the great variety
and amount of fiction that they contain. Fiction is used
here in a rather broad sense , for we shall find in the
course of the investigation that the periodical contains
only the beginnings of what is called fiction today.
"Characters", stories, allegories, visions , and oriental
tales, all go to make up a body of entertaining and
amusing reading which is somewhere near the border- line
between the informal essay, on the one hand, and the true fictitious narrative on the other. Instructive , too,
the essayists would have us say, for the purpose of most
of their papers was similar to that expressed in the
dedication to the Spectator, "to expose the false arts
of life, to pull off the disguises of cunning, vanity and
affectation, and to recommend a general simplicity in
dress, discourse, and behaviour. " This didactic purpose
is everywhere present; consequently, fiction in the novel,
as in the essay, is introduced chiefly to attract readers
who Without it would never seek the solid advice and good
moral preaching that underlies the narrative .
The early novelists recognized the possibilities of
this wholly new and unworked field of matter and method
in the periodical, seized upon the approaches it offered,
and made gallant attempts to bring the novel into touch
with life. An effort is made in the discussion that
follows to present the contributions of representative
eighteenth century periodicals in revealing sources of
material to the first novelists, and in presenting suggestive
methods of developing plot, characterization, and
setting. The allegories, oriental tales, and visions have
been disregarded entirely, and only the "characters" and
bits of narration, the beginnings of the modern short
story and novel, are considered .
If stress seems to be laid on the Tatler and Spectator to the undue neglect of other periodicals , it is only
because they furnish more abundant material for this
particular study than their successors , and because, in
coming before the creation of the novel , they therefore
were more influential in the formation of its materials
and methods. Discussion of the plots, characters, and
purposes of the periodicals imitative of these two
eighteenth century literary pioneers, is intended the
more to emphasize what is generally to be found in them.
Only occasionally do we find an entirely new tendency
established, a new theme for a plot, a new character
creation, or a new purpose voiced after these our originals, the Tatler and the Spectator.
That the novel definitely grew out of the periodical
essay with such precision that the traces of its growth
can be shown has long been a commonplace of criticism.
Although the debt is recognized, there remains a need for
an analytical study of the precise obligation which the
novelist has incurred in material, method, and procedure,
to the periodical essay . There has never been, to the
writer 's knowledge, any survey of the material contained
in this thesis. It is hoped, therefore , that it will
constitute a chapter in the history of eighteenth century
literature.
The only unpleasant personal association attaching to this study grows out of the disparity between intention
and achievement . As I have reread these pages, I
am dismally aware that it is quite perversely unlike the
thought which first welled up in my mind. I hope, however,
that, within the maze of foot-notes and facts, I
have not lost the essential spirit of utterance .
Keywords
English peridocals, English novels, Eighteenth Century periodicals