Question

When the novel made its first appearance in the 1700s why did it appeal to people of all classes

Answer 1

The novel as a literary genre originated in the "romances" that had existed since Medieval times. However, it was not fully-developed until the 1700s. During these years, the first novels appeared, such as Robinson Crusoe and Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded. In these stories, it was difficult for the reader to tell whether a particular story was a true account or a "lie," as stories became realistic. This was appealing to people of all classes because it allowed them to relate deeply to these stories.

Answer 2

When the novel made its first appearance in the 1700s, it appealed to all classes of people because they could identify with the stories of everyday life. It felt like they were the people in the novel, which in this case does have a slice of life genre.