Which of the following is the best definition of a "pastoral novel"? a novel that focuses on the story of a particular pastor, reverend, or other religious figure and his congregation a novel that is told in small sections, giving different perspectives on a journey across the countryside a novel that romantically portrays the ideals of country life a novel that primarily takes place in the 17th century

The correct answer is "a novel that romantically portrays the ideals of country life".

Explanation:

A pastoral novel is a piece of writing that comes from the pastoral literature, which are characterized of presenting a country lifestyle free from the complexity and corruption of city life. Many of the ideas presented in this kind of novel are romantically portrayed and remote from the reality. Theocritus and Virgil are among the most widely know authors of pastoral novels.