What is psychological fiction?

This novel is the most modern novel. Some of these novels are
also called the ' Stream of Consciousness' novel.
Psychological novels are works of fiction that treat the internal
life of the protagonist (or several or all characters) as much as (if
not more than) the external forces that make up the plot. The
phrase “Stream of Consciousness” was coined by William James
in his Principles of Psychology (1890), to describe the flow of
thought of the waking mind.

 History of the psychological

novel


 Murasaki Shikibu’s The Tale of Genji, written during 11th
Century Japan, is considered to be the earliest psychological novel.
 Elegia di Madonna Fiammetta( The Elegy of Lady of
Fiammetta), written in 1343/44 by Italian writer Boccaccio, is also an
example of an early psychological novel.
 Modern psychological novel emerged as a reaction against
Realistic novel/social realism( Novels by George Eliot, Dickens, etc...)
of the Victorian period.
As a literary genre, Samuel Richardson’s “Pamela” or “Virtue Rewarded”(a
sentimental novel), by many critics and scholars, is considered to be the
origin point of psychological novel.

Causes of the rise of Psychological Novel in

The Modern Age(1901-1950)
  Socio-political and scientific changes. 

 Freud’s psychoanalytic theory of science, theory of

conscious, unconscious and subconscious mind, theory of the
interpretations of dreams. 

 Bergson’s concept of Time. 

Consequences of World War 1. 

 Loss of faith in science and technology. 

 Religious rituals and values were attacked and destroyed by
Darwin with the publication of “The Origin of Species”.
 Dominance of the instincts over the Will, subconscious over the
conscious. 

 Some of the novelists believed that conflicts and struggles take

place in the mind of the characters Features of

Psychological Novel
 Emphasis on Interior monologue. 
 Lack of plot /weak plot. The plot is secondary and it depends upon
the psychoanalysis of the characters. 

 Delving deep into the inner workings of the mind of the characters.

  Lack of chronological and logical connection. 
 Overlapping of past, present, and future. No distinction of time. 
Life-like characters.

• Subgenres
• Psychological thriller: A novel, film, etc., in the thriller genre
which focuses on the psychology of its characters, or which
psychologically manipulates its audience or readership.

• Psychological horror: It is a subgenre of horror and psychological

fiction with a particular focus on mental, emotional, and
psychological states to frighten, disturb, or unsettle its audience.

• Psychological drama: A subgenre of drama films with

psychological elements, which focuses upon the emotional, mental,
and psychological development of characters in a dramatic work.

• Psychological science fiction: A genre that is considered as dramas

or thrillers occurring in a science fiction setting. The focus is often
on the character's inner struggle dealing with the political,
technological forces, or any Fatales. 

Greatest Psychological Novels and

Novelists1. Fyodor Dostoevsky (1821-1981)
i. Crime And Punishments
 ii. The Brothers Karamazov
2. Virginia Woolf (1882-1941)
i. To The Lighthouse
ii. Orlando: A Biography
3. Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910)
i. The Death Of Ivan Ilyich
ii. Resurrection