Discuss ‘The Coverley Papers’ as the precursor of English novel

Discuss ‘The Coverley Papers’ as the precursor of English novel. 

[NU-‘12,‘14,‘16,‘18]

Ans. Novel is a kind of fictional work about the people and events. Though Addison and Steele’s ‘The Coverley Papers’ is originally a work of non-fictional prose, it is considered as the precursor of English novel. Because, while reading a paper from it, very often, we have the feeling as if we are reading a page from a novel. It is also said that their essays foreboded the arrival of the novel particularly. The elements of a novel such as – characters, incidents, artistic unity and stimulating dialogue are found in ‘The Coverley Papers’.

Character is the soul of a novel. Even some novels may be plotless but none can be without character. The greatness of a novelist is measured, wrongly or rightly by his success in the field of characterization. The success of Addison and Steele in creating viable and lifelike character of Sir Roger is too well-known.

Novel’s narrative quality is also found in ‘The Coverley Papers’. The essays of ‘The Coverley Papers’ are appeared as a short story before the readers. For example, ‘The Spectator’s Account of Himself’ is appeared as an autobiographical novel though it is very short in size.

There is also artistic unity in ‘The Coverley Papers’ like novel. Artistic unity means the condition of a successful literary work whereby all its elements work together for the achievement of its central purpose. This quality of novel is found in the essays of Addison and Steele.

The dialogues in the essays of ‘The Coverley Papers’ are occasionally bright and stimulating for the style of the essayist is unquestionably elegant, lucid, urbane and polished. For example, Sir Roger’s speech about the widow creates the illusion of real life. The scene in the church also gives flavour like a chapter of a novel.

In fine, we may say, ‘The Coverley Papers’ is the precursor of English novel as it is highly admirable among the readers for its unique presentation of plot, events and characters. Like a prestigious novel, it contains the chief qualities which possess the characteristics of entertaining the readers. Thus, ‘The Coverley Papers’ has become successful as the first novel in English literature. For this, Addison is known as the pioneer of English novel.

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Written & Edited By           

SHUVASHISH MALLICK

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BIBLIOGRAPHY – Textbook (FBC), A Study Guide (FBC) & Handnote Series (Lecture).