"The great English novelists are Jane Austen, George Eliot, Henry James, and Joseph Conrad." Which one of the following critical texts begins with the above assertion?

Correct option is C

Explanation:

The assertion about Jane Austen, George Eliot, Henry James, and Joseph Conrad being the "great English novelists" is from F. R. Leavis' critical text The Great Tradition (1948).

In this book, Leavis makes a case for these four novelists as central to the English literary tradition, emphasizing their intellectual and moral seriousness in the development of the English novel.

Leavis' argument centers on the notion that the English novel should be evaluated not just in terms of its popularity or narrative innovation, but also its ethical and intellectual depth.

He contrasts the works of these writers with those of other novelists, critiquing the works of authors such as Charles Dickens and Thomas Hardy for being less intellectually rigorous or focused on "moral" issues.

The book is considered a seminal work in English literary criticism and played a significant role in shaping mid-20th-century English literary canonization.

Leavis' emphasis on aesthetic quality and moral seriousness set his critical approach apart from other critics who were more concerned with sociological or historical contexts.

Information Booster:

F. R. Leavis was a leading critic in the 20th century, and The Great Tradition reflected his commitment to close reading and an elitist view of literature.

Leavis argued that the moral vision of writers like Austen, Eliot, James, and Conrad represented the highest form of literary achievement in the English novel.

The book is part of the Leavisite tradition, which insists on the importance of literary works as vehicles for moral and intellectual development.

Leavis' canonization of these authors as the "great tradition" has been both praised and critiqued. Many critics see it as overly narrow, neglecting other important figures and literary movements.

Leavis also emphasized the "organic" development of the novel, which he believed was exemplified by the aforementioned writers' contributions to the genre.

Leavis had a deep influence on the teaching of literature, especially through his association with the University of Cambridge and his mentorship of many students who later became influential critics themselves.


Additional Knowledge:

Walter Allen, The English Novel:

- Allen's work is more focused on the historical development of the English novel, and does not begin with the specific assertion about the "great English novelists" that Leavis uses.

Terry Eagleton, The English Novel:

- Eagleton's work on the English novel takes a more Marxist and sociological approach and does not focus on the same group of authors as central to the English novel.

Ian Watt, Rise of the Novel:

- Watt's book discusses the historical emergence of the novel, particularly in the 18th century, and is concerned with the social conditions that led to the rise of the novel rather than focusing on a narrow group of authors like Leavis.