What Literary Genre Was Born from the Slang of 19th Century Britain?

Category: Literature > Pulp Fiction

One of the most unique and interesting developments in literature is the emergence of the genre known as "pulp fiction," which has its roots in the slang and street culture of 19th century Britain. This genre, characterized by its sensational, lurid stories often published in inexpensive magazines, drew heavily from the vernacular of the time. Writers like Arthur Conan Doyle and later, American authors such as Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler, incorporated the gritty realism and the vibrant slang of urban life into their works. This fusion not only entertained readers but also provided a lens through which societal issues, class struggles, and the complexities of human nature could be explored, proving that even the most seemingly trivial language can give rise to profound literary movements.

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