English Literature CLEP Prep Practice Exam

Which genre of literature is often referred to as "The Novel of Manners"?

1. Gothic fiction

2. Realism

3. Romanticism

4. Satire

The correct answer is: Realism

Realism is often referred to as "The Novel of Manners" due to its focus on depicting the social customs and behaviors of a particular time and place. The other genres listed, such as gothic fiction, romanticism, and satire, do not typically emphasize the manners and social norms of a society. Gothic fiction usually focuses on supernatural or horror elements, romanticism on individualism and emotion, and satire on criticizing societal issues through humor. Therefore, realism is the best answer as it aligns with the definition given in the question.