Summary:
A Journal of the Plague Year is a historical novel written by Daniel Defoe and published in 1722. It presents a fictionalized account of the Great Plague of London in 1665, narrated by an unnamed protagonist, often referred to as “H.F.” The novel is written in a documentary style, combining firsthand observations, statistics, and personal reflections to create a realistic depiction of the devastation caused by the bubonic plague.
The narrator describes the rapid spread of the disease, the suffering of the population, the responses of the government and medical practitioners, and the psychological effects on the people. He also discusses social breakdown, mass burials, quarantine measures, and acts of both kindness and selfishness. The novel highlights themes of fear, human resilience, and the unpredictable nature of epidemics.
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| Question | Answer |
| Novel Name | A Journal of the Plague Year |
| Author | Daniel Defoe |
| Year Published | 1722 |
| Main Themes | Fear, resilience, disease, social impact, faith |
| Literary Devices | Realism, first-person narrative, documentary style |
| Historical Event Depicted | The Great Plague of London (1665) |
| Narrator’s Identity | H.F. (fictional observer) |
| Key Message | Epidemics test human nature, and society responds with both order and chaos |