"Although by 1851 tales of adventure had begun to seem antiquated, they had rendered a large service to the course of literature: they had removed the stigma, for the most part, from the word novel"

In this quote, Carl Clinton Van Doren is reviewing the impact of experience tales on literature in the mid-19th century. He acknowledges that by 1851, these tales might have appeared out-of-date or old-fashioned, however he also acknowledges the significant function they played in forming the literary landscape. These tales of experience, with their thrilling and frequently fantastical plots, had assisted to break down the negative connotations related to the word "novel." Prior to this, novels were frequently viewed as unimportant or lowbrow, but the popularity and success of adventure tales assisted to raise the status of the unique as a genuine and reputable type of literature. In this method, Van Doren recommends that experience tales had an extensive and enduring impact on the development of literature.