How did the Education Act of 1870, which made elementary education mandatory, influence literature?
Explanation
The Education Act of 1870 resulted in a significant increase in literacy, creating a broad audience for mass-produced literature. Additionally, it opened a market for basic educational textbooks, which often proved more profitable than intricate novels or plays. There was also a growing popularity of classical literature, which tended to overshadow contemporary writers. Therefore, all these factors collectively shaped the literary landscape following the Act.