Which of the following terms describes a novel of fashionable high life in 19th-century English literature?

Correct option is B

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Explanation:
Silver-Fork novels were a genre of 19th-century English fiction that depicted the manners, lifestyles, and extravagant lives of the English upper class and aristocracy. These novels gained popularity between the 1820s and 1840s. The term "silver fork" refers to the polished manners and luxurious lifestyles portrayed in these stories, often focusing on high society's exclusivity and refinement.

Information Booster:
Key Features of Silver-Fork Novels:
They were primarily written by and for the middle class, offering a voyeuristic glimpse into the lives of the upper classes.
The novels often dealt with issues of social climbing, fashion, and romantic entanglements in high society.
Authors like Benjamin Disraeli (Vivian Grey) and Catherine Gore (Cecil, or The Adventures of a Coxcomb) were prominent contributors to this genre.
They also critiqued the social pretensions and hypocrisies of the aristocracy.
Historical Context:
The rise of the middle class during the Industrial Revolution fueled the fascination with upper-class lifestyles.
These novels reflect the aspirations and envies of readers who desired upward mobility in society.