4.1 History of Novel- Std.12 English: Presentation-Maharashtra State Board
A novel is a narrative work of prose fiction that describes a story about particular human experiences over an extensive and significant length. It is a work of prose fiction that tells a narrative over an extended length. The novel is an invented prose narrative that is usually long and complex and deals especially with human experience through a usually connected sequence of events.
| Novel |
| Derived from the Italian word ‘novella’ |
| Deals with Human Characters |
| Long & Complex Plot |
| Divided into Chapters |
| Use of Proper Narration |
| Often Realistic & Satiric |
| Gift of Eighteenth Century to English Literature |
| 1. The Periodical Essay |
| 2. Novel |
| Effect of Novel on the Eighteenth Century |
| Affected Intellectual Spirit |
| Formed Sentimental Attachment |
| Instructed the Readers |
| Managed Realistic Plane |
| Made Life Purposeful & Virtuous |
| Gained Popularity with Growth |
| Functions/Characteristics of Novel |
| Features of Stories of Greek Romances |
| • Imaginative |
| • Delightful |
| • Ideal Love |
| • Marvellous adventures |
| Elements of Novel: |
| → THEME |
| → PLOT |
| → CHARACTER |
| → SETTING |
| → CONFLICT |
| → LANGUAGE / STYLE |
| 1. Element of Novel: THEME |
| 2. Element of Novel: PLOT |
| 3. Element of Novel: CHARACTER |
| 4. Element of Novel: SETTING |
| 5. Element of Novel: CONFLICT |
| 6. Element of Novel: LANGUAGE / STYLE |
| Types of Novel: |
| • Realistic Novel |
| • Picaresque Novel |
| • Historical Novel |
| • Epistolary Novel |
| • Gothic Novel |
| • Utopian Novel |
| • Autobiographical Novel |
| • Psychological Novel |
| • Allegorical Novel |
| • Stream of Consciousness Novel |
| • ‘Bildungsroman’ Novel |
| Realistic Novel: |
| • A fiction that gives a realistic effect |
| • It is also called Novel of Manner |
| • It can be characterized by mixed motives |
| • Characters interact with others |
| • Characters face plausibility |
| • Characters seem like real people with real issues |
| Picaresque Novel: |
| • ‘Picaresque’ originated from Spanish word ‘Picaro’, means a rogue |
| • It narrates the adventures of a protagonist who is an eccentric, disreputable or dishonest person |
| • It depicts the adventures of a wicked person |
| • The story is told in an episodic form |
| • Hunger, Conflict, Poverty, Corruption and Injustice are perennial themes in Picaresque Novels |
| Historical Novel: |
| • Set in a period earlier than that of writing |
| • Attempts to convey the spirit, manners and social conditions of a past age |
| • Transports readers to another time and place, either real or imagined |
| • Intriguing plot creates some sort of suspense. Plot makes sense and has a solution |
| Epistolary Novel |
| • Derived from Latin word ‘epistola’, means ‘letter’ |
| • Presentation with the help of a series of correspondence & documents |
| • Letters & Diary entries are very popular forms of Epistolary Novel |
| • Newspaper clippings are also used |
| • Dates back at least to ancient Roman Times |
| • Gained popularity in 17th & 18th Century |
| Gothic Novel |
| • Largely known by Subgenre of Gothic Horror |
| • Emphasis on emotion & pleasurable kind of terror |
| • Extension of Romantic Literary Movement |
| • A Story of Terror, Suspense, Death, Decay or Haunted Buildings |
| • Usually set in a Gloomy Old Castle or Monastery |
| • The term associated with Superstition in 18th century |
| Utopian Novel |
| • Utopia is an Imaginary Community |
| • Utopia is an Ideal Society |
| • Common literary theme used in Science & Speculative fiction |
| • Utopian & Dystopian explore Social & Political structure |
| • All Social Evils have been cured in Utopian Society |
| Autobiographical Novel |
| • Based on the life of author |
| • Author changes the places & names of characters |
| • Author may change or avoid certain details of his life |
| • It may or may not be in the first-person narration |
| • Autofiction techniques are used |
| Psychological Novel |
| • Treats internal life of main character |
| • External factors are studied too |
| • Emphasizes interior characterization |
| • Explore spiritual & emotional lives |
| • Examines reasons of character’s behaviour |
| • Known as Psychological Realism also |
| Allegorical Novel |
| • Allegory is a story that bears more than one level of meaning |
| • Surface meaning is different from the symbolic meaning of it |
| • Symbolic meaning may be political, religious, historical or philosophical |
| • It describe situations and events or expresses abstract ideas in terms of material objects, persons and actions |
| • It is a symbolic fictional narrative that conveys a meaning not explicitly set forth in the narrative |
| Stream of Consciousness Novel |
| • A phrase coined by William James in his treatise ‘Principles of Psychology’, 1890 |
| • It means the flow of the thoughts |
| • Incidents in the plot are in the sequence of their ocurences. Novelist nattates them by adding in character’s mind |
| • It is a person’s thoughts and conscious reactions to events, perceived as a continuous flow |
| ‘Bildungsroman’ Novel |
| • The German word ‘Bildungsroman’ indicates ‘Growth’ |
| • Involved with Protagonist’s mind, spirit & character |
| • Concerned with education, development & maturing of young Protagonist |
| • Psychological, emotional & moral growth of a main character |
| • Protagonist is forced away from home on a journey |
| • It is the fictional biography or autobiography |
| PULP MAGAZINES |
| SCIENCE FICTION |
| Famous Novels in English: |
| Books mentioned throughout the Chapter & their Writers |
| Women Novelists in the great pageant |
| English Novel Scenario in India |
4.2 ‘To Sir, with Love’
also read:
