Theorists of the English novel

Theorists of the English novel analyze how novels develop and reflect society, culture, and human psychology. Key figures include Terry Eagleton, who explores literature's ideological impacts, and M. M. Bakhtin, who discusses the novel’s diverse voices and social interactions. Other important thinkers like Ian Watt examine the novel’s rise during the Enlightenment, emphasizing realism and individualism. Overall, these theorists study how novels shape and are shaped by historical contexts, exploring themes like identity, morality, and power, helping us understand the novel’s role as both a mirror and a driver of societal change.