X. The First English Novels

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X. The First English Novels A. Writers began
writing fictional narratives called novels
(novel means something new 1. They were
funny 2. They show us what life was like at
the time 3. They help us understand the humor
and dis- appointments of human experience
in all ages.
XI. The Commanding Figure of Johnson A. Fair to
call the Restoration The Age of John- son
1. Dr. (of Letters) Samuel Johnson a.
brilliant larger-than-life writer b.
strongly opinionated c. conservative
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d. combatted the belief in progress (that
things are inevitably getting
better), and the the assumption that
people are naturally good.
XII. Searching for a Simpler Life A. By the
time of Johnsons death in 1784, the world
was changing. The Industrial Rev. was
beginning. The French Rev. was about to oc-
cur. People knew the age of elegance, taste,
reason and philosophy was gone. B. Writers -
disgusted by the change - turned to nature,
simplicity, and the poor. Nothing could be
less Augustan.