question_answer 4)

Outline the changes in technology and society which led to and increase in the readers of the novel in 18th century Europe.

Answer:

The following changes occurred at this time (i) Introduction of circulating libraries after 1740 enabled the people to have easier and greater access to books.   (ii) Technological improvements in printing brought down the prices of books. Innovations in marketing led to the popularity of the novels because now it became quite easy to print novels in large numbers.   (iii) Novels appealed to all the sections of society, both middle class people like shopkeepers and clerks, as well as the aristocratic and gentlemanly classes.   (iv) Novels became a popular medium of entertainment among the women readers.   (v) Most of the novelists used the vernacular, the language that is spoken by the common people.   (vi) The novels dealt with many social issues, such as love marriages, proper conduct for men and women and so on. So, common people were attracted towards them.