1877 - 1878: The Golden Dog to Daisy Miller.

Chronology of World, British and American Literature

William Kirby. Canadian. 1877. Novel. The Golden Dog. Set in old French Quebec; served as model for numerous Canadian historical romances.

Henry James. American/British. 1877. Novel. The American. Simple, innocent American Christopher Newman vs. sophisticated, corrupt European aristocrats.

Emile Zola. French. 1877. Novel. L’Assommoir (The Dram Shop). Written in the argot of French streets. Study of the demoralizing effects of alcohol on the working class.

Thomas Hardy. British. 1878. Novel. The Return of the Native. Looking to escape her environment, Eustacia marries Clym Yeobright who has returned from Paris. His mother is opposed to the marriage. Failure of communication leads to tragedy.

Henry James. American/British. 1878. Novel. Daisy Miller. Unsophisticated pretty girl from Schenectady traveling in Europe. Runs up against the conventions of Europeanized Americans who enforce rules of the older European community with unthinking severity.