Excerpt pt. 2 from Terrorist Novel Writing

Excerpt pt. 2 from Terrorist Novel Writing

The contrasting assertion from "Anti-Gothic," to be compared to Excerpt pt. 1

In this excerpt from "Anti-Gothic," the author makes a seemingly contradictory assertion that the novel is intended to influence life and culture, that the novel's didacticism is a fundamental aspect of its existence. The novel is, according to the author of the letter, "a view to direct the conduct of the most important duties of life," and furthermore is designed to "correct its follies." Therefore, the author of the letter asserts that the novel has previously been a tool of cultural manipulation. Though this may seemingly contradict the author's previous statement, it may also be considered within a contextual lens to be a projection of Georgian era unrest in England as political and religious factionalism take over life. The novel, then, is reportedly subjected to a cultural hijacking where its importance as the guardian of civility is overtaken by consumers's desire for empty entertainment.

Anonymous

Spirit of the Public Journals for 1797, vol. 1 ( London, 1798), pp. 223-5.

1798

Northanger Abbey

English

A novel, if at all useful, ought to be a representation of human life and manners, with a view to direct the conduct in the most important duties of life, and to correct its follies. But what instruction is to be reaped from the distorted ideas of lunatics, I am at a loss to conceive.