The Evolution and Significance of the Modern Novel

Introduction to the Modern Novel The novel is the most important and popular literary medium in modern times. It competes for popularity with film and radio, producing a great deal of distinguished work. The publication of a new novel by a great novelist is received with enthusiasm, similar to historical responses to new works by Dryden, Congreve, and Tennyson. Poetry, once the supreme literary form, has lost its appeal to the general public and has been superseded by fiction. Reasons for the Novel's Ascendancy Meeting Modern Needs: The novel meets the needs of the modern world better than poetry. Compression of Meaning: Poetry's strength lies in its ability to convey multiple meanings through metaphor, but this relies on shared societal assumptions, which are lacking in modern society. Societal Disintegration: The modern period is marked by disintegration and loss of fundamental values, making the compression of meaning in poetry difficult. Analytical Approach: The analytical method o…