and its transformations over time. The opening of the book sets the stage for an in-depth exploration of how cultural and philosophical shifts influence literary forms. Lukács reflects on the idealized state of ancient Greek culture, describing it as a time when human actions were harmonious with the cosmos, and individuals did not perceive a divide between their inner lives and the external world. The text argues that the epic form arises when life is viewed as an integrated whole, while modernity, marked by fragmentation and existential questioning, gives rise to the novel as a reflection of search and inquiry rather than certitude. Through this philosophical lens, Lukács situates the novel as an artistic response to the complexities of contemporary life, a narrative that must grapple with uncertainties and the thematic exploration of individual agency within a disconnected reality. (This is an automatically generated summary.)