Final answer:
The 18th century heralded new forms of popular literature such as the novel, with significant works like 'Robinson Crusoe' and 'Pamela: Or, Virtue Rewarded', along with the growth in print culture, enabling the spread of journals and newspapers. Enlightenment texts were less accessible due to low literacy rates, but libraries and reading clubs expanded literary access. Genres like mystery and gothic fiction became prominent, and the era saw the start of true children's literature.
Step-by-step explanation:
The 18th century saw the advent of new forms of popular literature, particularly with the rise of the novel, which catered to a burgeoning audience hungry for diverse literary forms. Works such as Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe and Samuel Richardson's Pamela: Or, Virtue Rewarded captivated readers, including female audiences who could now interpret literature without male oversight, despite the prevailing social barriers that limited access for many women.
Alongside the proliferation of novels, the 18th century also witnessed a boom in print culture due to the consumer revolution, leading to an increase in the circulation of journals, books, pamphlets, and a range of other publications. These reading materials created a transatlantic community of shared tastes and ideas.
However, it is important to note that the direct impact of Enlightenment texts was constrained by low literacy rates among the general populace. With time, the emergence of lending libraries and reading clubs began to democratize access to books and publications, fostering a slow but steady growth in literacy among the middle class.
New genres also emerged, such as mystery tales with gothic elements, as seen in the works of Edgar Allan Poe and Mary Shelley. Furthermore, the success of British authors' novels highlighted a robust American market, setting the stage for the later blossoming of a distinct American literary culture.
Children's literature also developed during this period, with works like Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland offering both entertainment and education. Publications like The Spectator also became exceedingly popular for their refined prose and social commentaries.