4.1. History of Novel

Novel: History, Elements, and its Types.

   'Novel' as a literary genre got the highest level of glory in the 18th century. The eighteenth century has given two entirely new forms to English Literature: The Periodical Essay and The Novel. Today, as far as English Literature is concerned, the Novel form is the most dominant and recent literary genre.

  Table of  Contents... 

• History of Novel: Introduction

• Novella

• Elements of Novel/Novella

• References

• History of Novel- PPT

• History of Novel: Question Bank

History of Novel: Introduction

Among all forms of literature, Novel is very recent in origin. Man is interested in stories since the beginning of human civilization. Fables, myths, fairytales, legends, and parables have always caught his attention. The Novel form emerged in the 18^th century as an independent form of literature. But its germ or origin is in prose romances, which were famous in the middle ages.
E.g.- In the 11^th century (1010) we have The Tale of Genji written by Murasaki Shikibu is a classic work in Japanese Literature that has been described as the world’s FIRST novel.
In 1350 we have Boccaccio’s Decameron - A world-famous collection of short stories which is in the form of prose. 
In the 16^th century, there were plenty of Romances. Amongst them Philip Sidney’s Arcadia, Thomas Nash’s Unfortunate Traveller, and Thomas Lodge’s Rosalind was famous.
In  the  17^thcentury  The Pilgrim’s Progress (1678) by John Bunyan and Oroonoku (1688) by Aphra Behn initiated the plenteous and colourful tradition of the English novels. The tradition was followed by both Jonathan Swift and Daniel Defoe. They both earned wide reputations. Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe and Moll Flanders  and Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver's Travels were famous.
The Novel form emerged in the 18^th century. This is not a one-day development. This is not a sudden change from the short story to the novel but a step-by-step development. It was the prominent form in the 18^th century and onwards to encompass the social, political and cultural happenings and scientific progress.

Novella

    The word Novel is derived from the Latin word Novellus and Italian word Novella which means little new things. The Novella is a type of prose fiction that is shorter than a full-length novel and longer than short stories. It is a well-structured yet short narrative, often satiric or realistic in tone. It usually focuses on one incident or issue with one or two main characters and takes place at a single tradition.

Some examples of  Novella

• The Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
• The Turn of the Screw  by Henry James
• Billy Budd  by Hermann Melville
• Death in Venice by Thomas Mann
• Seize The Day by Saul Bellow
• Pearl by John Steinbeck

>Elements of Novel/ Novella:

There are six elements essential of ‘Novel’ or Novella’. 

   1. PLOT :

• The plot is an important aspect of the novel. The term plot means an artistic arrangement of events. 
• The plot must have a beginning, a middle, and an end and the events should be logically connected to each other.
• The plot may be simple (one plot) or complex (consisting of many subplots).
• Plots can be told in chronological order or flashback. 

  2. CHARACTERS : 

• Characters are people in the story.

• It is the character who generates the action of the novel, creates an appropriate atmosphere and carry forward the themes.

• Characters generate interest in the story and through the characters, the novelist reveals human nature.

• Characters are imaginary human beings in the novel.                          

 TYPES OF CHARACTERS:                                

Major Characters/ Round Characters or Dynamic Characters: 

The major character leads the main role. These characters are described in detail. The story revolves around the central character.

 Minor Characters/ Flat Characters :

 Minor characters are only supporting characters. It does not undergo any substantial change or growth in the story.

3. THEME: 

     The theme is the central idea in the novel which can be expressed in the novel or the theme is the underlying meaning a writer explores in a novel, novella, short story, or any other literary work. It conveys the message of the author through the actions of the characters.

 4. SETTING: 

The setting is the background in which the story takes place. The setting is a TIME and PLACE in which events occur. It tells the reader where and when the story takes place. It creates an appropriate atmosphere in the story. There are several aspects of the setting. It includes place, period, time, climate or weather, and lifestyle. Plot and character are the two major elements that are affected due to the setting.

 5. CONFLICT: 

The conflict is one of the important aspects of the novel. The struggle between two opposite forces in the story is called conflict. The conflict can be internal or eternal. Conflict in the story creates interest and arouses curiosity in the plot. we find different conflicts in the story. E.g. conflict between the protagonist and nature, the conflict between the character and other aspects of the society, etc.

 6. Language/ Style: 

The language and the techniques used by the author for narration is known as the style. An author can use extensive vocabulary and high phrases or he may use linguistic devices to make narration effective. 

References:

1.HSC English Textbook

2. Aspects of Novel by E.M.Forster

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