Describe the features of the novels which were written for the young boys and girls in the late nineteenth century in Europe.
The main features of the novels written for the young boys and girls in the late nineteenth century were as mentioned below : New type of man : Novels for young boys idealised a new type of man who was powerful, assertive, independent and daring. Most of these novels were adventurous. These novels were set in places remote from Europe. The colonisers appear heroic and honourable – confronting native peoples and strange unknown surroundings. They adapted to native life as well as changed it, colonised and developed nations there. Thus books like R L Stevenson’s Treasure Island (1883) or Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book became very popular. Historical : Some novels were historical adventure about conquering new lands in Mexico, Alexandria, Siberia and other countries. It threw light on historical events, military action and courage of the English people. For example, G.A. Henty’s novel Under Drake’s Flag (1883) two young Elizabethan adventurers faced death, but still remembered to assert their Englishness. His novels were wildly popular during the height of the British Empire. They aroused the excitement and adventure of conquering strange lands.
