Uh-uh! Oh no you didn't!
*Does offended head bob thing. Adds a finger snap.*
18th Century Women's Lit is NOT boring! Take it back! Take it back!
18th century literature marked a major step forward for women. "Pamela," often considered the "first English novel" (or at least the first truly "popular" English novel) sparked debate and controversy over its subtextual message that a literate woman of any standing can better her social and financial circumstances. Through the written word, she might even make a fellow fall in love with her mind rather than just her body. Most notably, this book is also the first to extend to women the Enlightenment idea that "men" are not property. As the century progressed, women comprised more and more of the publishing market, eventually coming to dominate and dictate the industry. By the end of the century, women like Fanny Burney and Anne Radcliffe were not only publishing hugely popular novels under their own decidedly feminine names, but were even making their livings at it. Perhaps most notably, writers like Mary Wollstonecraft (celebrated author of "A Vindication of the Rights of Woman") were able to write and publish early feminist literature. 18th Century Literature is a huge turning point in the history of women in England and, by extension, in the U.S. The 18th century was something of a women's renaissance in literature and it contributed greatly to changing public sentiment about the intelligence of women as well as the roles available to women in society. There is nothing boring about that!
*Takes a deep breath and steps down from her soap box.*
Sorry for the rant. I just *really* like 18th century literature.
And, umm... I'm reading a book called "Bullies, Bastards, and Bitches: How to Write the Bad Guys of Fiction." It's pretty interesting so far.
