Introduction to Novel

Definitions

Novel is a type of Literature that is:

> Long narrative

> Of Considerable length

> In the form of Prose

>will be fictional work.

> will be having characters

> Theme 

> Setting

> Point of view

 So, the definition can be:

 A long narrative fictional work of a considerable length in the form of Prose and having characters, plot & themes point of view, setting is called Novel!!
It is a fictional work. A complete non-fictional work does not come under Novel. One will say that what is an Autobiographical Novel?
The answer to the questions is that it may be based on a true story, but the writer will present it in a way that makes it seem fictional.

Elements of the novel:

1) Plot:

The actual story around which entire book is revolving

2) Characters:

The individual performing the action

3) Conflict:

The main problem between two opposite sides to stop it is helpful in providing suspense and interest.

4) Setting:

The location time

5) Theme:

Central or Main idea of the whole novel that actually what writers want to convey through his or her writings.

Some major types of novel

• The prose Romance
• Realistic novel
• Gothic novel
• Domestic novel
• Regional novel
• Historical novel
• Psychological novel
• Picaresque novel

Emergence of novel or what are the factors leading to the emergence of Novel:

There are some factors which were leading for the emergence of the novel. Some of them are

Discussed below:

 1) Decline of Drama:

The most important factor of all leading to the popularity of Novel is the decline of Drama.

Drama was most popular at that time and was performed in Church. People were liking it very much. A group of people called Puritan emerges and say that the Drama and the performance of it is Against our moral and ethical values.

Not only Drama but all the other activities such as bull fighting were banned at that time by the hand of puritans. So there was nothing to do by the people which left them no choice making them forced Towards reading.

 2) Commercial Purposes:

As all the activities were banned by the people making people forced towards reading. It makes the writes” greedy. So they were writing more and more to earn a lot of money. Their moto was “to earn more” to write more

 3) Industrial Revolution:

The Industrial Revolution leads to the emergence of the middle class.

(1)  Poetry was for Aristotle and middle class want their own identity. So they started to promote novels. 

(2) Middle class emerges by starting Working in the industries where they came to know that they are not paid the deservable amount which they deserved. So middle class was working in the industries and writers were writing their problems in form of Yovel 

3) Female of Middle class, their husband or father or brother went to work and they have nothing

To do except reading.

4) Realism:

Most writers were talking about the common man. Their problems dealing with society which was an interest for the common man to read. It leads to reading more which helps in the promotion of novels.

5) Literacy role and increased Readability:

People were taking more interest in reading as there was no I other Entertainment source as it was banned

By the Puritans. So the role of reading increased. Which caused awareness in the people and they want more to know which caused the writer to write more helping in the emergence of novel.

Antinovel Campaign:

They were factors leading to the decline of Novel. Steps were taken British government because of the following reason.

1) French Revolution:

British government were saying that knowledge and awareness has caused the French people to revolt against.

The government. So they were afraid, that the same didn’t happened to them. So the Government were slowly banning the writings.

2 Sensationalism:

Novel writing causes the senses of common people to work. For which they were getting

Aware of their right that’s why Novel writing started declining.

Anti-Thetical to English values:

The British government were blaming the writings to be against the values, 

Customs and tradition for which they have stopped writing.

Epistolary Novel:

The type of novel which is presented or written in Letter from using one or more than one character. Here the authors presents the feelings and the reaction of his characters. And it is written in many point of views Authors if these novels are Samuel Richardson, Pamela, Clasrrisa.

Picaresque Novel:

The word is derived from a Spanish word meaning rogue.

Here in this very novel a hero deals with the adventures deeds in episodes. The hero just moves from one place to another in search of adventures particularly related to the Spanish hero. It is usually in the first person narrative.

Gothic Novel:

The type of novel got fame in late 18^th and starting 19^th century. It is the type of novel in which there is horror, suspense, mystery, wonder.

The Prose romances:-

The type of novel basically describe or explain the history of character till now in order to know how the character has developed that attitude and personality.

For example The Tang dynasty.

Realistic Novel:-

The types of novel as the name indicates in which the hero is up to explore the reality of something. Here the main focus is on the exploration of reality and truth.

Domestic Novel:-

Domestic Novel got fame in early to mid-19 century. These novel are more having defining character probably of female struggling with society controlling her feelings and emotion and her wants. More particularly these types of novels are related to one’s sacrifice probably women.

Regional Novel:-

As the name indicates, these novels are related in which the geography of the earth is explored. Probably one’s experience related to certain places on earth.

Historical Novel:-

As the name indicates that Historical novels talked about history. The plot is placed in past and the characters of past. Sometimes related to the heroic deeds done in the past.

Psychological Novel:

These types of novel is related to character psycho. In which he deals with his interior emotions, spirituality and mentality.