In what way do Samuel Richardson’s Pamela and Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe both illustrate the social changes that contributed to the emergence of the novel?

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Their colonial backdrops highlight the fascination with distant territories that inspired adventure stories.Each novel centers on romantic plots that emphasize the significance of female audiences.They both portray the experiences of lower or middle-class individuals, reflecting the rise of a substantial middle-class readership as consumers.Their use of letter-writing formats demonstrates a growing political focus on personal emotions.Their narratives prioritize aristocratic values, showcasing elite perspectives in literature.

Explanation

Both Pamela and Robinson Crusoe concentrate on the lives and challenges of lower or middle-class protagonists, which corresponds to the expansion of a middle-class audience that fueled the novel’s growth. This focus distinguishes them from other literary trends such as imperial adventure tales or romantic fiction aimed primarily at women.