Question

Why were both the success-oriented novels of Horatio Alger and the Utopian works of Edward Bellamy best sellers in late nineteenth-century America?

a) Americans were proud of their country's achievements
b) Americans were aware of the need for societal improvement
c) Both perspectives appealed to different segments of the population
d) The novels provided a balanced view of American society

Answer 1

The success-oriented novels of Horatio Alger and the Utopian works of Edward Bellamy were bestsellers in late nineteenth-century America because they appealed to different segments of the population and reflected social and economic changes.

Step-by-step explanation:

Both the success-oriented novels of Horatio Alger and the Utopian works of Edward Bellamy were bestsellers in late nineteenth-century America because they appealed to different segments of the population. Alger's novels, which depicted young men rising from humble origins to achieve success, resonated with Americans who believed in upward mobility. On the other hand, Bellamy's Utopian works, such as Looking Backward, offered a vision of a socialist society that appealed to those who were critical of the capitalist system. The success of both types of novels reflected the social and economic changes happening in America at the time.