antiquity

middle ages

early modern era

industrial age

twentieth century

From the dawn of time, storytelling has provided a means to tell us about ourselves, our values, and the world around us. Whether it be the earliest fragments of ancient Greek epics, medieval romances, early modern chapbooks, penny dreadfuls, or modern mystery novels, popular literature reaffirms what is important in the cultures and times in which they appear. Popular literature generally relies on the formula, offering familiar elements while at the same time providing enough innovation and novelty to keep readers engaged and entertained. Formulas also serve to introduce new cultural values into a society within the framework of familiar genres, so they can be more easily understood and disseminated.