Final answer:
The early forms of prose narrative include the novel, with Don Quixote as a significant early example, and the epistolary novel, exemplified by Samuel Richardson's Pamela. The rise of the novel was driven by a literate middle class, advancements in printing, and increased reading leisure time, leading to its dominance in literary culture in the eighteenth century.
Step-by-step explanation:
The early forms of prose narrative include works like Don Quixote by Miguel Cervantes, which is often considered the first modern novel. Epistolary novels, such as Samuel Richardson's Pamela, where the story is told through a series of letters, also represent early narrative forms. The rise of the novel in the eighteenth century was influenced by factors such as the growth of a literate middle class, technological advances in printing, and the increased leisure time available for reading. Novels offered new ways for writers to explore character development and complex plot structures over extended narratives.
Prose can be organized in various ways, with some narratives structured into chapters or sections, and others using forms like journal entries or letters to tell the story, known as the epistolary form. Writers chose these narrative organizations to enhance the storytelling and to affect how readers engage with the text.
Reading fiction in the form of novels became a popular pastime in the eighteenth century, partly because it allowed readers, including women who had newly gained access to such works, to interpret stories without reliance on male authorities. This led to novels becoming a significant aspect of literary culture.