Kinds of Novel: Novella, Historical Novel, Bildungsroman, Realistic Novel, and Psychological Novel

 

Introduction to Novella

A novella is a narrative prose fiction that falls between a short story and a full-length novel in terms of length and complexity. It’s shorter than most novels but longer than most novelettes and short stories. The word “novella” comes from the Italian novella, which means a short story related to true (or apparently so) facts1. Typically, novellas dramatize individual events or a short series of events, such as a day in the life or an important turning point in a character’s journey. They provide more room for character development and plot progression than short stories, yet maintain a tighter, focused narrative compared to novels. Novellas emerged in Italian literature during the Renaissance, with works like Boccaccio's "The Decameron". 

The key characteristics of a novella are:

• Length: Longer than a short story but shorter than a novel, usually 100-150 pages.
• Plot: Focuses on a single conflict or event, with fewer subplots than a novel.
• Structure: May or may not be divided into chapters, often using white space to separate sections.
• Tone: Tends to have a unified, unitary effect on the reader, like a short story.
• Development: Features more character and plot development than a short story.
• Historical significance: Many famous works of literature are novellas, such as "The Old Man and the Sea" by Ernest Hemingway or "The Metamorphosis" by Franz Kafka.
• Publishing: Novellas can be challenging to publish traditionally due to their length, but they've found new life with e-books and self-publishing.

What is Historical Novel?

A historical novel is a work of prose fiction that is set in a specific period of history and attempts to accurately portray the spirit, manners, and social conditions of that past era.

Origins:

While stories set in the past have existed for centuries, Sir Walter Scott is often credited with establishing the modern historical novel genre in the early 19th century with works like "Waverley" (1814).

Key characteristics:

• Accurate historical setting and details
• Often includes real historical figures and events
• Fictional characters and plot intertwined with historical facts
• Aims to bring a particular era to life for readers

What is Bildungsroman?

Bildungsroman is a literary genre that focuses on the psychological and moral growth of the protagonist from Childhood to adulthood. Here are the key aspects of this genre:

1. Definition: The term "Bildungsroman" comes from German, where "Bildung" means "education" and "Roman" means "novel."
2. Plot structure:
   • Typically follows the protagonist from childhood or adolescence into early adulthood
   • Chronicles the character's formative years and experiences
3. Character development:
   • Centers on the protagonist's journey of self-discovery
   • Often involves conflicts with society's values and expectations
4. Themes:
   • Coming of age
   • Loss of innocence
   • Identity formation
   • Social integration
   • Emotional and intellectual growth
5. Common elements:
   • A journey or quest (physical or metaphorical)
   • Mentors or guides who influence the protagonist
   • Obstacles and setbacks that contribute to growth
   • A moment of realization or epiphany
6. Origins:
   • The term was coined by philologist Karl Morgenstern in the early 19th century
   • Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's "Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship" is often cited as a classic example
7. Notable examples:
   • "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens
8. Other Types:
• Künstlerroman: Focuses specifically on the development of an artist
• Erziehungsroman: Emphasizes the educational aspects of development

What is Realistic Novel?

A realistic novel is a type of literary fiction that portrays life as it is, without embellishment or fantastical elements. These novels focus on everyday experiences, ordinary characters, and relatable situations. Rather than epic tales of heroism, they delve into the complexities and contradictions of real life. Here are the key aspects of realistic novels:

1. Definition: Realistic novels attempt to depict everyday life, characters, and situations in a truthful, unidealized manner.
2. Historical context:
   • Emerged in the 19th century as a reaction against Romanticism
   • Associated with the rise of the middle class and industrialization
3. Key characteristics:
   • Believable, complex characters
   • Detailed descriptions of ordinary life and settings
   • Focus on contemporary social issues
   • Plausible plots and events
   • Use of vernacular language
4. Themes:
   • Social and economic issues
   • Psychological exploration of characters
   • Moral dilemmas and ethical questions
   • Class struggles and social mobility
5. Narrative techniques:
   • Often uses third-person omniscient narration
   • Employs objective, unembellished prose
   • Incorporates dialogue that reflects natural speech patterns
6. Subgenres:
   • Social realism
   • Psychological realism
   • Naturalism (a more deterministic form of realism)
7. Notable authors and works:
   • Gustave Flaubert - "Madame Bovary"
   • George Eliot - "Middlemarch"
   • Leo Tolstoy - "Anna Karenina"
   • Honoré de Balzac - "Le Père Goriot"
   • Charles Dickens - "Great Expectations"
8. Impact:
   • Influenced the development of modern literature
   • Helped shape societal discussions on various issues
   • Provided a literary mirror to society
9. Criticism:
   • Some argue that true objectivity is impossible in fiction
   • Can be seen as less imaginative compared to other genres

What is Psychological Novel?

 A psychological novel is a work of fiction in which the thoughts, feelings, and motivations of the characters are of equal or greater interest than the external action of the narrative1. Unlike traditional novels that prioritize plot events, psychological novels delve deeply into the interior lives of characters. 

Key characteristics:

Character Focus

• In-depth exploration of characters' inner worlds
• Focus on mental processes and psychological motivations
• Often employs stream of consciousness or interior monologue techniques
• May have less emphasis on external plot events

Independence from Chronology:

• Events may not unfold chronologically; instead, they mirror the character’s thought associations, reveries, and contemplations. 

Narrative techniques:

• Stream of consciousness
• Interior monologue
• Free indirect discourse
• Unreliable narration

Themes:

• Identity and self-discovery
• Mental health and psychological disorders
• Interpersonal relationships and conflicts
• Memory and perception
• Subconscious desires and fears

Historical context:

• Emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries
• Influenced by developments in psychology, particularly Freudian psychoanalysis

Notable authors and works:

• Virginia Woolf - "Mrs. Dalloway"
• Fyodor Dostoevsky - "Crime and Punishment"
• James Joyce - "Ulysses"
• William Faulkner - "The Sound and the Fury"
• Sylvia Plath - "The Bell Jar"

Subgenres:

• Psychological thriller
• Psychological horror
• Psychoanalytic fiction

Impact:

• Deepened the portrayal of character in literature
• Influenced the development of modernist literature
• Contributed to a more nuanced understanding of human psychology in fiction

Challenges:

• Can be demanding for readers due to complex narrative techniques
• Balancing internal exploration with external plot development