Prose

Question 1

In the early part of which century did prose writing begin to dominate popular reading?

Answer 1

18th century

Question 2

Who tended to read novels?

Answer 2

• mostly upper and middle classes

- most likely female readership as prose was thought to be inferior to poetry

Question 3

In the early part of which century was prose writing widely read and no longer considered a form of ‘low’ art?

Answer 3

19th century

Question 4

What was prose fiction doing in the late 19th and early 20th centuries?

Answer 4

• examining Western society and culture
• questioning society’s institutions and values in relation to love, especially marriage
• using new writing techniques eg. ‘stream of consciousness’ which approached reality from a new angle
• exploring characters who suffered from isolation and difficult relationships