CBSE Class 10 Social Science: Novels, Society and History - NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 10 PDF

This chapter delves into the intricate relationship between novels, society, and history, focusing on their evolution and impact. It explores how social changes, particularly in Britain, led to an increased readership among women and how novels began to reflect their experiences and concerns. The solutions also examine the portrayal of characters like Robinson Crusoe as colonial figures, highlighting themes of superiority and exploitation. Furthermore, it discusses the democratization of novel readership after 1740 due to circulating libraries and technological advancements, making literature accessible to poorer sections of society. The chapter also touches upon how novelists in colonial India used their writings for political causes, challenging colonial narratives and fostering nationalism. These NCERT Solutions provide detailed explanations and insights, aiding students in understanding the historical and social context of literary development and its role in shaping societal perceptions and political movements, making them an invaluable resource for exam revision.

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Board	CBSE
Class	Class 10
Subject	Social Science
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	Chapter 13

Chapter summary

Chapter 13 of the Class 10 Social Science curriculum, "Novels, Society and History," examines the development of the novel as a literary form and its connection to societal changes and historical events. It covers the rise of women readers in 18th-century Britain, the colonial undertones in characters like Robinson Crusoe, the expansion of readership to include the poor through libraries, and the use of novels as a tool for political expression and nationalism in colonial India. These solutions offer a clear understanding of these interconnected themes.

Learning outcomes

Understand the social factors influencing the rise of women readers in Britain.
Analyze the characteristics of a colonizer through literary examples like Robinson Crusoe.
Explain how economic and technological changes made novels accessible to a wider audience.
Recognize the role of novels in promoting political causes and nationalism in colonial India.
Connect literary developments with historical and social contexts.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Novels and Social Change
Women Readers in Britain
Robinson Crusoe as a Colonial Figure
Accessibility of Novels to the Poor
Circulating Libraries
Novels in Colonial India
Nationalism and Literature
Impact of Technology on Publishing
Literary Representation of Society
Historical Context of Novels

Important topics

Social changes leading to increased women readership
Robinson Crusoe's portrayal as a colonizer
Role of circulating libraries in expanding readership
Novels as a tool for nationalism in colonial India

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Questions and Solutions

1A. Explain the following: Social changes in Britain which led to an increase in woman readers.

Social changes in Britain which led to an increase in woman readers.

Solution: In 18th-century Britain, several social transformations contributed to a significant rise in the number of women who read novels. The growing prosperity of the middle classes meant that more women had increased leisure time, which they could devote to reading. Simultaneously, novels began to focus more on the domestic sphere, exploring the emotions, identities, experiences, and challenges faced by women. These themes resonated deeply with female readers. Novels based on family life, a subject women were often considered authorities on, allowed them to connect with the narratives through their own lived experiences. This engagement led to public recognition for women writers, with authors like Jane Austen, whose novel 'Pride and Prejudice' offers a window into the world of rural women in early 19th-century Britain and their societal expectations regarding marriage.

1B. Explain the following: What actions of Robinson Crusoe make us see him as a typical colonizer?

What actions of Robinson Crusoe make us see him as a typical colonizer?

Solution: Robinson Crusoe, the protagonist of Daniel Defoe's novel (1719), exhibits several characteristics that mark him as a typical colonizer. He is portrayed as an adventurer and slave trader, embodying a sense of superiority over non-European peoples. Upon being stranded on an island, he mistreats the native inhabitants, viewing them as inferior due to their race. He rescues a native man, names him 'Friday' without asking his actual name, and forces him into servitude, effectively making him a slave. Crusoe perceives the natives as primitive and barbaric. This behavior—asserting dominance, exploiting resources and people, and imposing his own culture and names—is emblematic of the colonial mindset and actions of the period.

1C. Explain the following: After 1740, the readership of novels began to include poorer people.

After 1740, the readership of novels began to include poorer people.

Solution: Initially, novels were quite expensive, making them inaccessible to the poor. However, significant changes after 1740 broadened the readership. The introduction and spread of circulating libraries provided an affordable way for people to access books through rental, rather than purchase. Technological advancements in printing also led to lower book prices, and innovative marketing strategies increased sales. Consequently, poorer individuals could now afford to read novels. In France, for instance, books could be rented on an hourly basis, further enhancing affordability. In rural areas, communal reading sessions, where one person would read aloud to a group, also allowed the less affluent to engage with literary works and the lives of the characters.

1D. Explain the following: Novelists in colonial India wrote for a political cause.

Novelists in colonial India wrote for a political cause.

Solution: Novelists in colonial India frequently used their writings to serve a political purpose, primarily to counter the negative and often demeaning portrayals of Indians presented by colonial historians. These historians tended to depict Indians as weak, divided, and dependent on British rule. Nationalist writers used novels as a powerful medium to express Indian aspirations for independence and self-determination, shaping a narrative of Indian strength and unity. The novel 'Pariksha Guru' is cited as an example that reflects the inner and outer world of the emerging middle classes, highlighting the challenges they faced. Through such literary works, novelists contributed to the growth of nationalism and the political cause of liberation from colonial rule.

Common mistakes

Confusing the causes for increased readership among women with general societal changes.
Failing to identify the colonial mindset in literary characters.
Underestimating the impact of economic factors on literary accessibility.
Not recognizing the political agency of novelists in colonial societies.

Revision tips

Focus on the specific social and economic changes mentioned for each point.
Pay close attention to the examples provided, like Jane Austen and Robinson Crusoe.
Understand the link between technological advancements (printing, libraries) and readership.
Consider the 'why' behind novelists writing for political causes in colonial India.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What social change in 18th-century Britain contributed to an increase in women readers of novels?

Q2. Which character is presented as a typical colonizer in the provided text?

Q3. What innovation, introduced around 1740, made novels more accessible to poorer people?

Q4. In colonial India, novelists often wrote for which primary cause?

Q5. What theme explored in novels like Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice' resonated with women readers?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main focus of CBSE Class 10 Social Science Chapter 13?

Chapter 13, 'Novels, Society and History,' focuses on how the novel as a literary form evolved and interacted with societal changes, historical events, and political movements, particularly in Britain and colonial India.

How did social changes in Britain affect novel readership?

In 18th-century Britain, increased prosperity among the middle classes gave women more leisure time, leading to a rise in their readership and participation in writing novels, which increasingly explored themes of domestic life and women's experiences.

Why is Robinson Crusoe considered a typical colonizer?

Robinson Crusoe is depicted as a colonizer because he exhibits a sense of superiority, mistreats native people, and enslaves them, reflecting the exploitative attitudes prevalent during the colonial era.

What role did circulating libraries play in the history of novels?

Circulating libraries, established around 1740, made books more affordable and accessible by allowing people to rent them, thus expanding the readership of novels to include poorer sections of society.

How were novels used in colonial India?

In colonial India, novelists often wrote for political causes, using their work to challenge colonial narratives, assert Indian identity, and foster a sense of nationalism among the people.

Are these NCERT Solutions helpful for exam preparation?

Yes, these solutions provide clear, detailed explanations of key concepts and historical contexts covered in the chapter, helping students understand the material thoroughly for their exams.

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