1. How did the Enlightenment influence the development of the novel as a literary genre? Provide examples

of at least two novelists who exemplified the ideals of the Enlightenment in their works.

Answer: The Enlightenment was a cultural movement that emphasized reason, individualism, and human

rights. It challenged the authority of tradition, religion, and monarchy, and promoted scientific inquiry,

political reform, and social progress. The novel emerged as a new form of literature that reflected these

values and interests. Novelists such as Daniel Defoe and Voltaire used realistic settings, characters, and

plots to explore themes such as human nature, morality, society, and politics. They also employed satire,

irony, and humor to criticize the corruption and hypocrisy of their times.

2. How did Romanticism react to the Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution? Discuss the main

features of Romantic poetry and prose, and give examples of at least two authors who expressed their

Romantic vision in their works.

Answer: Romanticism was a cultural movement that opposed the rationalism and materialism of the

Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution. It celebrated the imagination, emotion, nature, and

individuality of human beings. It also valued the past, the exotic, the supernatural, and the sublime.

Romantic poets and prose writers such as William Wordsworth and Mary Shelley used lyrical language,

imagery, symbolism, and metaphor to express their personal feelings, experiences, and insights. They also

explored themes such as nature, beauty, love, freedom, creativity, and the human condition.

3. How did realism and naturalism portray the social realities of the 19th century? Compare and contrast the

main characteristics of realism and naturalism in literature, and provide examples of at least two authors

who represented each movement in their works.

Answer: Realism and naturalism were literary movements that aimed to depict the social realities of the 19th

century in an objective and accurate manner. They focused on the lives of ordinary people, especially the

lower classes, who faced problems such as poverty, disease, violence, and oppression. Realism emphasized

the importance of observation, description, and character development in literature. Naturalism went further

by applying scientific principles and determinism to literature. Naturalists believed that human behavior was

influenced by heredity, environment, and chance. Realist authors such as Charles Dickens and Leo Tolstoy

used realistic details, dialogue, and social criticism to expose the injustices and inequalities of their societies.

Naturalist authors such as Emile Zola and Stephen Crane used scientific methods, experimental techniques,

and pessimistic tones to portray the harshness and hopelessness of human existence.