literature question, reply & recieve eternal thanks!

[flakjack]

I'm currently studying towards an English Degree and have been asked to answer the following question:

'The novel can offer a critique of the contemporary social world by using both realist and non-realist techniques.' Discuss this claim with reference to one of the following novels: Frankenstein, Fathers and sons, Great Expectations.

What's bothering me is, would you take this question to mean contemporary as in modern (i.e 21st century social world) or as in 'of it's time' (the time that the novel was originally written)?

I've chosen to discuss Frankenstein, and would appreciate any discussion of how realist or non-realist the novel is (I've not managed to make a great deal of points regarding it's realism)

[applepie]

I would take it to mean of the time that it was written. It would make little sense to me to try and describe how either of these novels critiqued modern times since if they are bringing to light social issues they would have been problems of the time during which they were written. It may be worth an effort to look at what exactly the social structure was like during the time that Frankenstein was written. It will give a better perspective of the realism found in a novel that is primarily fantastical in nature.

[flakjack]

Hi, Thanks so much for your input on the matter, It's very much appreciated!

[keilj]

I would take it to mean of the time that it was written. It would make little sense to me to try and describe how either of these novels critiqued modern times since if they are bringing to light social issues they would have been problems of the time during which they were written. It may be worth an effort to look at what exactly the social structure was like during the time that Frankenstein was written. It will give a better perspective of the realism found in a novel that is primarily fantastical in nature.

:iagree:

it seems like it would have to do with the time it was written