Arrange the following women novelists in the chronological order (by date of birth):

A. Anne Brontë
B. Jane Austen
C. Ann Radcliffe
D. Fanny Burney
E. Maria Edgeworth

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct option is C

Explanation:
Fanny Burney (1752–1840):
Fanny Burney, also known as Madame d'Arblay, was a pioneer of the novel of manners and is best known for Evelina (1778).
Ann Radcliffe (1764–1823):
Known as the "queen of Gothic fiction," Radcliffe's The Mysteries of Udolpho (1794) was highly influential in developing Gothic literature.
Maria Edgeworth (1768–1849):
Edgeworth’s novels, such as Castle Rackrent (1800), focused on Anglo-Irish society and are considered some of the earliest examples of regional fiction.
Jane Austen (1775–1817):
Renowned for her social commentary and sharp wit, Austen’s novels, including Pride and Prejudice (1813), are hallmarks of 19th-century realism.
Anne Brontë (1820–1849):
The youngest Brontë sister, Anne is known for her works Agnes Grey (1847) and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (1848), both of which critique societal norms.
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Information Booster:

Fanny Burney: The precursor to Austen, Burney’s novels focus on the struggles of women in a patriarchal society.
Ann Radcliffe: Her Gothic tales combine terror and sublime descriptions of landscapes.
Maria Edgeworth: Pioneer of realistic novels focusing on Irish culture and social issues.
Jane Austen: Master of romantic and satirical fiction, emphasizing realism and morality.
Anne Brontë: Explored themes of independence, women’s rights, and the darker realities of society.

Radcliffe and Edgeworth influenced Gothic and regional fiction, while Austen and the Brontës led the realist movement.
These novelists reflect changing societal roles for women from the 18th to the 19th centuries.
Fanny Burney inspired Austen’s early works, while Radcliffe’s Gothic themes were echoed in Brontë’s novels