1. The plantation was a unique and fascinating setting. The plantation system was a major part of the Southern economy, and it was very different from the lives of most people in the North. The vast plantations, the large mansions, and the slave labor all made for an exotic and interesting setting for a novel.
2. The planters were often seen as heroes. The planters were often portrayed as strong, brave, and honorable men who were fighting for their way of life. They were seen as the defenders of Southern values and traditions, and they were often admired by people in the North as well as the South.
3. The novels often offered a glimpse into the lives of the slaves. While the slaves were often not the main characters in these novels, they were often present in the background, and their lives were often described in detail. This gave readers a chance to see the world from the slaves' perspective, and it helped to humanize them.
4. The novels often explored the complex social and political issues of the day. The novels often dealt with issues such as slavery, race, and class, and they offered readers a chance to think about these issues in a new way. They also helped to raise awareness of the problems facing the South, and they played a role in the growing movement to abolish slavery.
In conclusion, there are a number of reasons why novels about the lives of southern planters were popular in the 19th century. These novels offered a unique and fascinating setting, they portrayed the planters as heroes, they offered a glimpse into the lives of the slaves, and they explored the complex social and political issues of the day.