The Evolution of the English Novel: From Realism to Postmodernism

Abstract

The English novel has undergone remarkable transformation from the nineteenth-century tradition of realism to the experimental forms of postmodernism. This paper examines the historical development of the English novel, emphasizing major literary movements, representative authors, and changing narrative techniques. Realist novelists sought to portray everyday life with accuracy and social awareness, while modernist writers experimented with consciousness, time, and subjectivity. Postmodern fiction challenged traditional storytelling through metafiction, fragmentation, intertextuality, and multiple perspectives. The study demonstrates that each literary movement emerged in response to changing social, political, and cultural conditions. Despite these shifts, the English novel has consistently remained an important medium for exploring human identity, society, and historical change.