Epistolary Novel Lecture Notes

Definition and Origins

• Epistolary Novel: A work of fiction written in the form of letters or other documents.
  • Derives from "epistle," Latinized Greek for "letter."
• Predates the novel, emerging in the 16th and 17th centuries.
• Authors used letters for realism, psychological insight, and plot advancement.

Early Examples

• "Love Letters Between a Nobleman and His Sister" (1684)
  • Attributed to Aphra Behn.
  • First English novel composed entirely of letters.
  • Characters modeled on real-life, enhancing realism with secretive correspondence.

Samuel Richardson's Contributions

• Pamela (1740)
  • Full title: "Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded, in a Series of Familiar Letters from a Beautiful Young Damsel to Her Parents."
  • Utilized "familiar" letters to convey domestic details.
  • Free informal style representing a daughter's letters to her parents.
• Clarissa (1748)
  • Includes multiple perspectives, notably from Pamela and Lovelace.
  • Richardson's "writing to the moment" style for real-time thoughts and actions.

Impact and Popularity

• Richardson's novels established a vogue for epistolary novels.
• Early Canadian and American novels were epistolary: "The History of Emily Montague" (1769), "The Power of Sympathy" (1789).
• Tobias Smollett's "The Expedition of Humphrey Clinker" (1776)
  • Multiple letter writers offer diverse perspectives.
  • Showcases a family's journey and reconciliation through epistolary narrative.

Evolution and Later Examples

• Decline in popularity by the 19th century.
• Bram Stoker's "Dracula" (1897)
  • Utilizes letters, diary entries, newspaper clippings, and recordings.
  • Multi-vocal and suspenseful, offers more insight than characters.
• 20th and 21st-century examples:
  • C.S. Lewis's "The Screwtape Letters" (1942)
  • "Bridget Jones's Diary" (1996) by Helen Fielding.
  • "Dear Committee Members" by Julie Schumacher - uses modern communication forms.
  • "A Visit from the Goon Squad" by Jennifer Egan - includes a PowerPoint chapter.

Influence on Other Media

• Epistolary techniques in film: "found footage" style.
  • Examples: "The Blair Witch Project," "Paranormal Activity."
• Use of texting and emails in films, inspired by "writing to the moment."