Many 20th - century Indian novels are deeply rooted in the country's rich cultural heritage. They often incorporate elements such as caste systems, religious beliefs, and traditional family structures. For instance, in 'The God of Small Things', the caste system plays a major role in the characters' lives and relationships.
They often had vivid descriptions of Indian landscapes and cultures. This made the settings of the stories very immersive.
Another notable novel is 'The God of Small Things' by Arundhati Roy. This novel delves into themes of love, caste, and family secrets in Kerala. It has a very lyrical writing style that draws the reader in, exploring the intricacies of relationships against the backdrop of Indian society. For example, the relationship between the twins Estha and Rahel is beautifully and poignantly depicted.
They often tackled important social issues. Take F. Scott Fitzgerald's 'The Great Gatsby'. It shows the hollowness of the American Dream during the Jazz Age, with the wealthy characters having empty lives despite their material possessions.
One characteristic was the use of elaborate language. Writers in these centuries were fond of detailed descriptions. Also, many 17th and 18th century novels focused on character development. Take 'Robinson Crusoe' for instance. We see how Crusoe changes from a young, reckless man to a more self - reliant and resourceful one over the course of his time on the island.
These novels typically explored social issues. In the 18th and 19th centuries, there were big changes in society. Novels were a way to show things like class differences. Dickens' works, such as 'Oliver Twist', showed the harshness of the lower classes' lives compared to the rich.
One characteristic is the exploration of complex social issues. For example, in Charles Dickens' novels of the 19th century like 'Oliver Twist', he exposed the harshness of the Victorian poor laws and the plight of the working class. In the 20th century, novels such as George Orwell's '1984' delved into totalitarianism and the loss of individual freedoms. Another aspect is the development of different literary styles. The 19th century saw the rise of the realist novel, with detailed descriptions of daily life. The 20th century then branched out into modernist and post - modernist styles, which often experimented with narrative structure and the concept of time.
Well, many 18th and 19th century novels were highly moralistic. Novels like 'Oliver Twist' by Charles Dickens aimed to expose the social ills of the time, such as poverty and child exploitation. The settings were often based on real - life locations of that era, which added authenticity. The narrative style was typically linear, guiding the reader through a series of events in a more or less chronological order. And they frequently explored themes of class struggle, as society was very stratified during those centuries.
The 18th century Indian novels were influenced by the political situation of that time. With the presence of colonial powers, the novels might either subtly resist the foreign influence or show the changing cultural landscape. Some of these novels were written in regional languages, which helped in the preservation and spread of local cultures. They also had a role in shaping the literary traditions that followed in India.
Complex characters are also common. They are not just one - dimensional. In 'Wuthering Heights' by Emily Bronte, Heathcliff is a multi - faceted character with a mix of love, hatred, and revenge in his heart. His complex personality drives the tragic story.
19th - century novels typically had a strong sense of place. Many were set in specific regions, which added to the authenticity of the story. They also frequently explored themes such as love, morality, and the struggle between individual desires and social norms. The language used was often more formal compared to modern novels, with elaborate descriptions of settings, characters' appearances, and emotions.