11 Questions
What are characteristics of a novel? (Select all that apply)
Lengthy narrative in prose
Which of the following methods are used for characterization in the Victorian novel? (Select all that apply)
Dialogue
An omniscient narrator knows everything about all characters in a story.
True
Define the term 'episodic plot' in the context of Victorian novels.
Episodic plot refers to a plot structure with dispensable events and sequences that are not tightly interconnected.
______ adds a sense of reality, creates atmosphere and tone in a novel.
Setting
Match the following novel types with their descriptions:
Sociological novel = Describes society's issues and norms Historical novel = Set in the past, often involving real historical events Romantic Realism = Blends elements of Romanticism with realistic depictions of life Objective Realism = Strives for an impersonal and detached portrayal of reality
What is the primary focus of Social Realism in literature?
Highlighting the plight of socially vulnerable groups and critiquing societal injustices.
Who are some authors associated with Psychological Realism?
Tolstoy
Victorian Realism was more influenced by European Realism in terms of thematic concerns.
False
Victorian realism novels often emphasized the role of women in the ____________.
domestic sphere
Match the following Victorian genres with their descriptions:
Detective Novel = Features crime themes and psychological insights Historical Novel = Connects to the past and often set prior to the contemporary period Sensational Novel = Derived from crime fiction and Gothic romances, focused on domestic crime and secrets Bildungsroman = Involves coming-of-age stories, often characters growing into moral individuals
Study Notes
Characteristics of a Novel
- A novel is a lengthy, fictitious narrative in prose (typically at least 50,000 words)
- Involves characters and portrays their actions and conflicts
- Organized sequence of events, story, and plot
- Presents related settings/background
- Relates to reality, reflecting the perception of reality during the time of writing
The Victorian Novel
- Emerged in response to significant economic, scientific, political, social, and cultural changes
- Fully formed reading public, with reading as a popular pastime
- Increased accessibility and affordability of books
- Development of printing, publishing, and distribution industries
- Railways making distribution cheaper and easier
- Curiosity about social and political changes and new discoveries
Characterization in the Victorian Novel
- Devices of characterization:
- Physical description
- Dialogue (most informative and powerful tool)
- Physical actions (interesting when in opposition to the character’s thoughts)
- Thoughts and mental actions
- Judgment by others (characterizing both the judge and the judged)
- Narrator’s judgment
- Author’s judgment
- Manner of presenting characters:
- Direct: Telling information directly
- Indirect: Showing through thoughts, words, actions, and judgments by others
- Types of characters:
- Protagonist/hero
- Antagonist
- Minor characters
- Foil characters (highlight important characters)
- Round characters (fully developed, multidimensional)
- Flat characters (one-dimensional, presented in outline)
- Character vs. Type:
- Character: Can be static (unchanged) or dynamic (changes through the story)
- Type: Generalization of human traits
Scene & Setting
- Scene: Actual location where the action takes place
- Setting: Broader background, including historical context
- Real or Invented Setting: Adds a sense of reality, creates atmosphere and tone, can have symbolic value
Narrator and Point of View
- Types of narrators:
- Omniscient: All-knowing, follows any number of characters
- Limited: Knowledge restricted to own experiences (1st or 3rd person)
- Points of view:
- Omniscient POV: Trustworthy
- 1st Person POV: Subjective, intimate
- Limited 3rd Person POV
- Shifting POV: Several points of view
Plot & Story
- Story: Chronological sequence of events (What happens next?)
- Plot: Causal structure of events (Why does this happen?)
- Tight Plot: Each event results from the previous one
- Loose Plot: Episodic, with dispensable events and sequences
- Organic Plot: Contains no unnecessary elements
- Episodic Plot: Mosaic of events
Types of Novels
- Panoramic/Epic Novel: Numerous characters, episodes, loose plot
- Dramatic/Well-made Novel: Single issue, well-constructed plot
- Physical Properties:
- Single or multi-volume novels
- Serial novels (published in instalments)
- Technique of Presentation:
- Realist/Naturalistic Novels: Describe things as they are
- Stream-of-Consciousness Novels
- Epistolary Novel: Letters
- Subject Matter:
- Sociological novel
- Problem novel (e.g., the condition of England)
- Propaganda novel
- Proletarian novel
- Historical novel
Development of the English Novel up to the Victorian Age
- Origins:
- Romance (grotesque, distant settings)
- Novel (realistic, modern times)
- Milestones:
- Geoffrey Chaucer: "Canterbury Tales"
- Thomas Lodge: "Rosalynde"
- Thomas Nashe: "The Unfortunate Traveller"
- John Bunyan: "Pilgrim’s Progress"
- Early English Novel:
- Daniel Defoe: "Robinson Crusoe," "Moll Flanders"
- Jonathan Swift: "Gulliver’s Travels"
- Rise of the Novel (Mid-18th Century Onwards):
- Sentimental novels
- Samuel Richardson: "Pamela or Virtue Rewarded"
- Oliver Goldsmith: "The Vicar of Wakefield"
- Henry Fielding: "Tom Jones"
- Laurence Sterne: "The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy"
- Gothic novels (e.g., Horace Walpole: "Castle of Otranto")
- Novel in the Period of Romanticism:
- Formation of the literary market
- Establishment of the novel as a respected literary genre
- Jane Austen: Representing middle-class values
- Walter Scott: Invented the national history novel### Victorian Literary Movements
Social Problem Novels
- Addressed social reform, highlighting harsh industrialization realities
- Notable authors: Benjamin Disraeli ("Sybil"), Charlotte Brontë ("Shirley"), Dickens ("Hard Times")
Gothic Romance
- Translated Gothic conventions into Victorian social realities
- Notable works: "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Brontë, "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë
- Shifted settings from medieval castles to urban slums and domestic spaces
Children's Fiction
- Types: Fairytales and fantasy, evangelical and moral books, school stories, and adventure tales
- Notable works: "Alice in Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll, "Treasure Island" by Robert Louis Stevenson
- Reflected the Victorian belief in the formative power of childhood literature
Science Fiction
- Responded to scientific and technological advancements
- Often involved mad scientists and dystopian futures
- Notable works: "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley, "The Time Machine" by H.G. Wells
- Explored the implications of scientific progress and its potential dangers
Discover the characteristics of a novel, including its length, narrative structure, and portrayal of characters. Learn about the Victorian novel and its significance in shaping the modern novel.
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