Aaron Anderson
Final
Literary Periods and Genres
May 7, 2001
The Novel as a Genre
The readings for this semester have covered the genres we’ve studied. From the
Old English Poetry, to the Novel, our readings have been extensive. I enjoyed the novel
as a genre. I’ve always liked reading novels because of their characteristics. Plot,
setting, characters, etc. all add to the complexity of a novel. For those reasons, I fell that
the novel is the best artistic form of expression.
To stick a definition on a novel like a bumper sticker is nearly impossible. In the
Dictionary of Literary Terms, 1977, a novel is described as “a long prose narrative”
(Cuddon 422). This may be the simplest definition found, but it is complete in the sense
of not leaving anything out. By this, I mean that the novel is so complex and has evolved
as much as human life, that in order to give an accurate definition of it, without leaving
any ingredients out, would be impossible.
The novel has been around since 1615. Miguel de Cervantes’s Don Quixote de la
Mancha is most often cited as the first novel (Murfin 247). Since then, the advancements
and variety of the novel has truly progressed. Character development, narrative voice,
and plot are just a few elements of a novel that have been changed. There are also
different types of novels associated with time. For example, the picaresque novel was
developed in 1750-1800. This sort of novel pits an immoral hero that undergoes a “series
of hair-raising adventures” (Murfin 249). Other kinds of novels are bildungsroman,
sentimental, and Gothic.
A characteristic of novels that have stood the test of time is how they are based on
real life events (Morner). For this to be true, the novel does not have to be non-fiction.
Another interesting point is how novels are often based on working or middle class
characters rather than legendary heroes. This is along the same lines of basing the novel
on real life events. The majority of readers are those in the middle class. For the reader
to be entertained by a novel, they must read something they can relate to (Morner).
The novels in study have been recognized as classic novels. These novels have
stood the test of time and best represent the capabilities of a novel for artistic expression.
One characteristic of a novel that appeals to me is how it is influenced by the society of
its time. For example, I read Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, for my novel project. It
was written in 1816, the height of the Industrial Revolution in England. The novel takes
a look into the problems that could occur due to science. At the time, science is making
huge advances with little consequences. Science was changing society in terms of the
development of overcrowded cities. Shelley’s novel is an eye-opener for the
consequences of science.
Harper Lee used the same sort of social influences in his book To Kill a
Mockingbird. His book was published in the 1950’s, and was a direct stab at racism.
This period was dramatic in terms of equal rights. Although the equal rights movement
didn’t take off until the sixties, his novel was a precursor for what was to come. The
1950’s were full of racism and prejudice. Harper Lee wrote about the suffering caused
by racism and how it affects the opinions of communities and towns.
The novel is just one of many forms of artistic expression. Drama and poetry are
also excellent ways to express opinions. However, the novel is able to add great
character depth in the use of a narrator. Poetry is often short, and leaves the reader
guessing the meaning of many words and lines. Poetry is my second favorite genre. The
only reason I like novels better, is because I get attached to certain characters in a novel.
Although that is not impossible in poetry, it is more frequent for me in novels.
In conclusion, novels are better-rounded pieces of literature. I feel I can
understand them easier and critically analysis them better. However, all genres are
important in possessing an open literary mind. That is why I feel this class has been
greatly beneficial to my growth as a student of literature.
Bibliography
Cuddon, J.A. A Dictionary of Literary Terms. New York: Doubleday and Company Inc.,
1977.
Morner, Kathleen, and Ralph Rausch. NTC’s Dictionary of Literary Terms.
Lincolnwood, Illinois: NTC Publishing Group, 1995.
Murfin, Ross, and Supryis M. Ray. The Bedford Glossary of Critical and Literary Terms.
New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 1998.