watt opens the book with a peculiar question: Is the novel a new literary form? This is very relevant from the perspective of new media. Watt specifically examines defoe, richardson, and fielding. (p. 9) the new feature of the novel is realism, which stems from french realists (flaubert). Realism is the antonym of idealism. “the novel’s realism does not reside in the kind of life it presents, but in the way it presents it.” correspondence of work with world it imitates, this is an epistemological problem. (p. 11) the novel rejects universals, and focuses on the particular. This is especially of use in distinguishing it from epic or mythic works (note: Many games and genre novels do rely on universals, there is a point of conflict here.) the novel is also unusual in fidelity of representing human experience. (p. 12) during the time of the novel’s rise, there is was a growing tendency for individual experience to trump collective tradition. (p. 14) identity exists through time and contains past thought and action. Past experience cages present action. (p. 22) time is seen in novels as a variable, flexible, interruptible unit. (p. 26) this collection of changes stems from a great deal of social and philosophical changes, and the rise of the novel could be seen as merely a reflection of these changes. (much like new media relates to social and technological changes)