What is Novel? I Definition, Elements and Types of Novel I Origin and History of Novel II BA BS Eng

Summary

This video lecture explores the essence of the novel as a literary form, tracing its origins from ancient storytelling to the 18th-century emergence of the novel in English literature. It defines the novel as a long, imaginative prose narrative reflecting human experiences and life's complexities. The lecture delves into key elements such as theme, characters, plot, setting, conflict, and narrative techniques, highlighting the novel's role in conveying universal philosophies and providing entertainment. It also discusses the evolution of the novel and its enduring popularity, inviting viewers to engage with the material and ask questions.

Takeaways

• 📚 The novel is the latest form of English literature that emerged in the 18th century and is still widely read and loved today.
• 🎨 Novels are a form of storytelling that can be traced back to ancient times, evolving from poetic forms to more narrative styles.
• 🎬 The 18th century saw novels as a primary source of entertainment, similar to how cinema became popular in the 1920s.
• 🏛️ Samuel Richardson, Henry Fielding, Tobias Smollett, and Laurence Sterne are considered the foundational authors of the English novel in the 18th century.
• 📖 Novels are defined as long, imaginative, prose narratives that present realistic characters and events in a complex plot.
• 🤔 Novels aim to reflect life and society, with authors often conveying a philosophy of life through their work.
• 👥 Characterization is a key element of novels, with major characters often being deeply developed and driving the narrative.
• 🗣️ Dialogues in novels give life to characters and prevent the narrative from becoming monotonous.
• 🔗 Plot construction is crucial for novels, with complex plots involving a main story and subsidiary stories being highly regarded.
• 🌆 Setting in a novel includes both the place and time in which the story occurs, influencing the characters' actions and dialogues.
• 💥 Conflict is an essential part of novels, mirroring the struggles found in human life and driving the narrative forward.
• 👁️ Narrative techniques such as first-person narration, third-person narration, epistolary, and stream of consciousness, shape how stories are told in novels.

Q & A

What is the student's humorous analogy for the difference between a short story and a novel?

The student humorously described a short story as a photograph and a novel as a film, implying that a novel is more dynamic and extensive than a short story.

What is considered the latest form of English literature?

The novel is considered the latest form of English literature, emerging during the 18th century.

Why was the novel particularly popular among the upper class women during the 18th century?

The novel became a fashion and a mania among the upper class women during the 18th century because it provided much entertainment, similar to how cinema became popular in the 1920s.

Who are the four authors considered the pillars of the 18th century English novel?

Samuel Richardson, Henry Fielding, Tobias Smollett, and Laurence Sterne are considered the four pillars of the 18th century English novel.

What is the common definition of a novel according to the script?

A novel is defined as a fictitious prose narrative of considerable length, presenting realistic characters and events in a complex plot.

What does Henry James believe is the only reason for the existence of a novel?

According to Henry James, the only reason for the existence of a novel is that it attempts to represent life.

What is the primary element of a novel, as per the script?

The primary element of a novel is its theme or the central idea, which is the novelist's vision or philosophy of life.

What are the two types of characters generally found in a novel?

The two types of characters generally found in a novel are major characters, who are often round characters and protagonists or antagonists, and minor characters, who are usually flat characters.

What is the significance of dialogues in a novel?

Dialogues in a novel impart liveliness to the story and give life to the characters, preventing the narrative from becoming monotonous and boring.

What are the six main elements of a novel mentioned in the script?

The six main elements of a novel mentioned in the script are theme, characters, dialogues, plot construction, setting, conflict, and narrative technique.

What is the definition of plot according to Aristotle as presented in the script?

According to Aristotle, as presented in the script, plot is a series of events logically connected with one another.

What are the different types of conflicts that can be presented in a novel?

Different types of conflicts in a novel include a character struggling against nature, between two different characters, within the mind of the character (internal conflict), and against the opposing forces of society.

What are the four narrative techniques mentioned in the script?

The four narrative techniques mentioned in the script are epistolary technique, first-person narration, third-person narration, and stream of consciousness technique.

Why might the stream of consciousness technique be difficult for some readers to understand?

The stream of consciousness technique might be difficult for some readers to understand because it often features loose plot construction, fragmented storytelling, and lacks the use of logic, presenting thoughts as they happen in the character's mind.