These novels also showed the changing roles of women. In 'Sister Carrie', Carrie's journey from a small - town girl to a somewhat successful woman in the city through her own efforts and by using her charm, albeit in a morally ambiguous way at times, was a reflection of how women were starting to break free from traditional roles and seek new opportunities in the changing urban environment.
Turn of the century American novels often tackled issues of race. 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' was a powerful indictment of slavery. It showed the inhumane treatment of African - Americans and was a major catalyst for the abolitionist movement. And in 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn', Mark Twain used the relationship between Huck and Jim to explore the complex racial dynamics in the pre - Civil War South.
In the 19th century American novels, the prevalence of individualism was a reflection of the society's new - found sense of freedom and opportunity. People were breaking away from traditional European models and forging their own identities. The use of regionalism in novels showed the diversity within the country. Different regions had their own cultures, economies, and ways of life, and novels captured these differences. Also, the treatment of women in novels was related to the real - life struggle for women's rights. Female characters' stories were a way to advocate for change in gender roles.
1865 was a crucial year in American history as it was the end of the Civil War. Novels of that time like 'Little Women' reflected the family values and the role of women in society. The March sisters had different dreams and faced various challenges, showing how women were starting to assert themselves more.
They often reflected the post - Civil War society. For instance, issues like race and slavery were likely to be themes. Novels might have shown the struggles of newly freed slaves or the tensions between different racial groups.
Many 18th - century novels were a mirror of the economic situation of the time. In 'Robinson Crusoe', we can see the emerging ideas of capitalism. Crusoe's efforts to build his own little 'empire' on the island reflect the entrepreneurial spirit of the era. Also, the moral and religious values were prominent. Novels like 'Candide' criticized the religious hypocrisy while still being influenced by the overall religious context of the 18th century. And in terms of politics, some novels subtly commented on the power structures and the monarchy system through their stories.
These novels also showed the influence of the Catholic Church. The values and moral codes imposed by the church were often part of the narrative, as seen in various works where characters' actions were guided or restricted by religious beliefs. Moreover, they depicted the political unrest. Italy was in a state of flux during the nineteenth century, and novels like 'Confessions of an Italian' alluded to the political changes and struggles for unity.
19th - century whaling novels often reflected the adventurous spirit of the society. For example, in 'Moby - Dick', the characters' determination to hunt the great whale showed the boldness and risk - taking nature of people then. It also reflected the economic importance of whaling, as it was a major industry. The novels sometimes showed the hierarchical structure on the whaling ships, which was similar to the social hierarchy on land.
Many 20th century novels like 'The Jungle' by Upton Sinclair reflected the harsh working conditions and social inequality in the early 20th century in the United States. It exposed the problems in the meat - packing industry and led to reforms.
18th - century gay novels often reflected society in a veiled manner. Since homosexuality was not openly accepted, these novels might use euphemisms or more subtle character interactions. For example, in some works, a deep and intense male - male friendship was depicted which could be seen as a way of hinting at same - sex attraction without being too blatant, as open homosexuality was against the moral and legal norms of the time.
19th - century Spanish novels reflected society in various ways. For example, in 'La Regenta', the characters' interactions and their moral struggles were a mirror of the complex social hierarchies and the influence of the Church. The upper - class characters' behavior and the way they treated others showed the class divisions. In 'El Sombrero de Tres Picos', the story set in a rural environment revealed the daily life, traditions, and economic aspects of the common people in 19th - century Spain.
The 16th - century historical novels were like mirrors of their society. Take 'The Canterbury Tales' for instance. The pilgrims come from different walks of life, such as the knight, the miller, and the nun. Each character's tale reveals their values, beliefs, and the problems they faced. The bawdy stories of some characters and the moral tales of others combined to give a comprehensive view of the diverse social fabric. The language used also reflected the common speech as well as the more refined language of the educated classes, which was a characteristic of the 16th - century society.