If we consider 'The Book of the City of Ladies' as one of the first feminist novels, one characteristic is its use of positive female role models. It features women from history and mythology who are strong, intelligent, and virtuous, countering the negative stereotypes of women at the time.
For 'A Vindication of the Rights of Woman', a key characteristic is its rational and logical argumentation. Mary Wollstonecraft uses a very reasoned approach to discuss the rights of women, especially in terms of education. She makes a case based on the principles of equality and fairness, which was a new way of approaching the issue of women's rights at that time.
In the first Sherlock novel 'A Study in Scarlet', it has a complex mystery. There are two intertwined plotlines.
One characteristic could be its length. Since it was the first of its kind, it likely had a certain amount of length to fully develop its story. Also, it probably had some form of character development, even if it was rudimentary compared to modern novels. For example, if we consider 'The Tale of Genji', the main character Genji has a long journey through life, and we see his growth and changes.
Typically, the first noir novels had complex and morally ambiguous characters. They weren't simply good or bad. For example, in 'The Postman Always Rings Twice', the characters' actions are driven by lust and greed, blurring the lines between right and wrong.
If we consider 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' as a candidate for the first gay novel, one characteristic is the subtlety in portraying homoerotic relationships. It wasn't overt, as the society of Wilde's time didn't allow for blatant homosexuality in literature. So, it was more about the undercurrents of attraction between characters like Dorian and Lord Henry.
The first spy novels often had a focus on secrecy and subterfuge. For example, in 'The Spy' by James Fenimore Cooper, the main character had to hide his true identity and motives while gathering information.
If we consider 'The Sorrows of Young Werther' as the first. It has strong emotional content, mainly focusing on the hero's love and melancholy.
If we consider 'The Romance of the Rose', one characteristic is its length. It's a long, detailed work. It also uses a lot of allegory, with characters representing abstract concepts like Love or Reason.
One characteristic might be its use of the Spanish language in a more developed and narrative - driven way compared to previous forms of Spanish writing. It may also have incorporated elements of Spanish folklore or local traditions.
Well, 'Wide Sargasso Sea' by Jean Rhys is among the top 20. It gives a voice to Bertha Mason, the 'madwoman in the attic' from 'Jane Eyre'. 'Herland' by Charlotte Perkins Gilman is another. It's a utopian novel about a society of only women. Then there's 'The Bluest Eye' by Toni Morrison which deals with the self - image and oppression of a young black girl, and by extension, the situation of women in general.
The feminist short story often has a critical view of the male - dominated society. It shows how women are oppressed and marginalized in different aspects of life. These stories might also promote sisterhood and female solidarity. By presenting female characters who support each other, they send a message of unity among women. Moreover, they can be a platform for discussing women's rights issues, such as the right to vote, equal pay, and reproductive rights in a more creative and engaging way.