The rise of the novel is intricately connected with the decline of the drama. By examining the context behind the waning popularity of drama, we can better understand the factors that created a space for the novel's emergence. Just as English poetry experienced a decline after the brilliance of Chaucer, English drama suffered similarly after the golden age of Shakespeare during the late sixteenth century.
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Reasons for the Decline of Drama
Several factors contributed to the decline of drama, paving the way for the rise of the novel:
1. Puritan Censorship (1625–1660)
During the Commonwealth period, under Puritan rule, drama faced severe restrictions:
- Theaters were closed: Performances were driven underground, often taking place in taverns or private homes.
- Emergence of drolls: These short, condensed plays gained popularity as they could be presented as "musical entertainments" to evade censorship.
- Suppression of creativity: The Puritan regime stifled artistic expression. Renowned playwright William Davenant staged private performances in his own home to bypass restrictions.
After the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660, theaters reopened, and drama initially thrived with new trends, such as bawdy humor and the inclusion of professional female actresses. However, by 1700, such styles fell out of favor, contributing to a long-term decline.
2. Plague and Public Health Concerns
The recurring outbreaks of the bubonic plague during the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries further disrupted public performances:
- The Great Plague of London (1665–1666) was especially catastrophic, leading to prolonged theater closures.
- Playwrights and actors faced financial ruin due to the lack of public attendance.
3. Industrial Revolution (1760–1840)
The Industrial Revolution drastically altered societal structures, reducing the time and inclination for traditional theatrical entertainment:
- Long working hours: Factory laborers worked 14–16 hours a day, leaving little leisure time.
- Urban migration: People moved to industrial cities, focusing on survival rather than cultural pursuits.
- The "pocket theater" concept: Novels emerged as an accessible alternative, providing portable and flexible entertainment for busy workers.
As Marian Crawford noted, novels became "pocket theaters," offering the dramatic elements of plot, character, and setting without the constraints of stage performances.
4. Freedom in the Novel
Compared to drama, the novel offered unparalleled creative freedom:
- Physical limitations: Plays were bound by stage constraints, such as location changes and realistic action, whereas novels could depict fantastical scenarios.
- Structural freedom: Novels were free from rigid rules like Aristotle's unities of time, place, and action.
This freedom allowed novelists to explore diverse themes and experiment with narrative forms, further enhancing the medium's appeal.
Drama vs. Novel
Both drama and novel share a common interest in human passions and actions. However, key differences distinguish these two literary forms:
- Technical vs. literary art: Drama relies on stage settings and acting, while the novel is a purely literary form.
- Independence: The novel, being free of stage conditions, offers greater flexibility and breadth of expression.
- Discipline: Playwriting requires mastery of stagecraft, whereas anyone with a story to tell can write a novel.
The novel serves as a microcosm, encompassing plot, character, dialogue, setting, and philosophical insights. Unlike drama, the novelist can provide commentary, describe internal thoughts, and construct a narrative unbound by theatrical conventions.
Main Elements of the Novel
The novel, as a well-written story, incorporates the following elements:
- Plot: A structured arrangement of events and incidents in a causal relationship.
- Characters: The agents who perform actions and drive the narrative.
- Dialogue: Conversations that reveal character intentions and advance the plot.
- Setting: The time and place where the action unfolds.
- Style: The writer's unique use of language.
- Philosophy of life: The author's perspective, often conveyed implicitly through characters and situations.
First Novel in English Literature
The identity of the first novel in English literature remains a subject of debate due to differing definitions and criteria:
List of Candidates
- Thomas Malory, Le Morte d'Arthur (1485)
- William Baldwin, Beware the Cat (1570, 1584)
- John Lyly, Euphues: The Anatomy of Wit (1578)
- Philip Sidney, The Countess of Pembroke's Arcadia (1581)
- Margaret Cavendish, The Blazing World (1666)
- John Bunyan, The Pilgrim's Progress (1678)
- Aphra Behn, Oroonoko (1688)
- Anonymous, Vertue Rewarded (1693)
- Daniel Defoe, Robinson Crusoe (1719)
- Samuel Richardson, Pamela (1740)
Key Debates
Several factors complicate the identification of the first novel:
- Length: Some works, like Oroonoko, are considered novellas due to their brevity.
- Originality: Retellings, such as Le Morte d'Arthur, are often excluded.
- Realism: Critics distinguish novels from romances, which feature heroic protagonists and fantastical elements.
- Allegory: Works like The Pilgrim's Progress, with symbolic characters and events, are categorized separately.
According to Ian Watt, author of the seminal study The Rise of the Novel, Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe (1719) is the most widely accepted candidate for the first novel in English literature.
Conclusion
The rise of the novel is a testament to the evolution of literary forms, driven by societal changes, creative freedom, and the human need to explore new narratives. While drama and the novel share common origins in human passions and actions, their distinct features have allowed each to thrive in different ways.