Letters in the Fiction of Eliza Haywood

Abstract

Eliza Haywood is one of the most prolific women writers of the 18th century; her carrier spanned a transitional period in the history of the English novel. She has been neglected and under considered by literary critics and her works have not been object of study even though her largely contribution to the novel form, and to the epistolary novel in particular. Starting from an outline of her life and career, and thought an overview of the letter in 18th century novel, we will start an analysis of letters in her earlier and later fiction, trying to understand the different use of this form of writing in different periods of her career as writer.