Marxist Criticism · English Literature

In 'The Historical Novel', Georg Lukács argues that the genre's primary function is to:

To supply an accurate chronological timeline of key battles and political dates
To represent the lives of ordinary people as part of a broad historical process
To offer readers an imaginative escape from the disappointments of the present
To celebrate the individual heroism and personal triumphs of monarchs and rulers

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Correct answer: To represent the lives of ordinary people as part of a broad historical process

Lukács believed that great historical novels show how individual lives are shaped by broad social forces. He praised authors like Walter Scott for making the 'movement of the people' visible in fiction.

Difficulty: Medium Question 11 of 20

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In 'The Historical Novel', Georg Lukács argues that the genre's primary function is to:

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