bildungsroman
novel
To Kill a Mockingbird
Definition of bildungsroman
It is a German word. Bildung has the
meaning of “shaping” and “formation.”
Roman mean “novel.”
Definition:
A novel that deals with
the development of the
protagonist (main
character). Coming-ofage book.
Moral: dealing
with right and
wrong
Psychological:
dealing with
emotions and
behavior
Characteristics:
• Learns lessons
• Moral development
• Psychological
development
• A child matures
bildungroman
Sentence:
In a bildungsroman
novel, the protagonist
will need to resolve
internal conflicts.
Example:
• To Kill a Mockingbird
• Adventures of
Huckleberry Finn
• Chronicles of Narnia
• Harry Potter series
Essential Question: How is To
Kill a Mockingbird a
bildungsroman novel?
 Think of the lessons that Scout learns.
 Think of the characters that she
encounters.
 If you have trouble beginning, start in this
way:
To Kill a Mockingbird is a bildungsroman
novel because the protagonist, Scout,
learns many important life lessons.
(Name all the lessons)
You may be asked to explain a few
lessons in a paragraph next class. 