Department of English Literature

Faculty of Humanities

University of Zakho

Zakho, Kurdistan Region Iraq Novel

Novel is a piece of prose fiction of a reasonable
.length

Novel is a long narrative, normally in prose, which

describes fictional characters and events, usually in the form of a sequential
.story

Novel (story) structure

1. Exposition is a literary device used to introduce background
information about events, settings, characters etc. to the audience or
readers.

2. Rising action is a series of events and actions that move the story to a
climax.

3. Climax the turning point in the story.

4. Falling Action is the conflict unravels with the main character either
winning or losing.

5. Resolution is the end of the story whether it is tragedy or comedy.

Major elements in a Novel

1. Setting: A setting in literature is the time and geographic location
within a narrative, either non-fiction or fiction. The setting initiates the
main backdrop and mood for a story. The setting can be referred to as
story world or milieu to include a context beyond the immediate
surroundings of the story.

a) Place
b) Time:
c) Climate/Weather:
d) Lifestyle:
2. Atmosphere, The mood or feeling of the story, the
emotional quality that the story gives to the reader. A reader
may say that a novel opens with a mysterious atmosphere, a
gloomy atmosphere, a light, carefree atmosphere, etc.
3. Characters, The people, animal, robots, etc., who take
part in the action of the story.
4. Conflict, The struggle between two opposing forces
that adds threat to the narrative of the story.
a character struggling against nature
(b) a struggle between two or more characters
(c) a struggle between the main character and some aspect
of society
(d) a struggle of opposing forces within one character
Plot: The storyline; the ordered arrangement of incidents
in a story. Plot arises out of the conflict in the story, which
builds to a climax.
5. Theme: The central idea in the story or novel. It can
usually be expressed in a short statement about human nature,
life, or the universe.

Types of Characters in Novel.

1. Major or central characters are vital to the development and resolution of

the conflict. In other words, the plot and resolution of conflict revolves around
these characters.

2. Minor characters serve to complement the major characters and help move

the plot events forward.

3. Dynamic - A dynamic character is a person who changes over time, usually

as a result of resolving a central conflict or facing a major crisis. Most dynamic
characters tend to be central rather than peripheral characters, because
resolving the conflict is the major role of central characters.

4. Static - A static character is someone who does not change over time; his
or her personality does not transform or evolve.

5. Round - A rounded character is anyone who has a complex personality; he

or she is often portrayed as a conflicted and contradictory person.

6. Protagonist - The protagonist is the central person in a story, and is often

referred to as the story's main character.

7. Antagonist - The antagonist is the character(s) (or situation) that represents

the opposition against which the protagonist must contend. In other words, the
antagonist is an obstacle that the protagonist must overcome.

Types of Novel.
1. Picaresque novels
2. Fictional biography
3. Historical novels
4. Social novels
5. Tragedies
6. Futuristic novels
7. Humorous novels

1. Picaresque novels follow a central character on a journey

during which various adventures or incidents take place. 
2. Fictional which focuses on the life and developments of one
particular character is another kind of novel.
3. Historical novels deal with events set in the past.
4. Social novels deals with themes to do with social issues.
These kinds of novels usually have a message to convey to the
reader.
5. Tragedies. Some novels deal with tragic themes such as
6. Futuristic novels which are set in some future time.
7. Humorous novels. Many novels contain elements of humour.