UNIT 4.

1
HISTORY OF NOVEL
TEXTBOOK QESTIONS
(1) Match the columns:
A B
(a) Murasaki Shikibu (1) Cervantes
(b) Novella (2) Bankimchandra Chattopadhyaya
(c) Don Quixote (3) Tale of Genji
(d) Rajmohan’s Wife (4) New
Ans:
(a) Murasaki Shikibu (3) Tale of Genji
(b) Novella (4) New
(c) Don Quixote (1) Cervantes
(d) Rajmohan’s Wife (2) Bankimchandra Chattopadhyaya
(2) Pick out the odd element from the group.
(i) Arun Joshi, Vikram Seth, Graham Greene, Kiran Nagarkar
(ii) Place, Period, Theme, Climate, Lifestyle
(iii) Theme, Plot, Character, Novella
Ans: 1) Graham Greene
2) Theme
3) Novella
(3) Complete the following statements:

(i) The two types of conflicts that the plot may have are......................
(ii) The word ‘picaresque’ is originated from...............
(iii) The epistolary novel presents the narrative through...................................

(iv) In the eighteenth century middle class could get the time for reading and
discussing the novels because...............................

ANS : (i) The two types of conflicts that the plot may have are internal conflict (
inside the mind of the character ) or eternal conflict ( with other characters or
entities )
(ii) The word ‘picaresque’ is originated from the Spanish word ‘ picaro,’ which means a rouge.

(iii) The epistolary novel presents the narrative through a series of correspondence or other
documents like letters or diary entries.
(iv) In the eighteenth century middle class could get the time for reading and discussing the novels
because the spread of machines helps them in their work and could provide them with some spare
time.

(4) Write short notes on:

(i) Style of the novel
The language and the techniques used by the author for the narration of the course
of events is called ‘style’. An extensive vocabulary and high phrase or
laconic words can be used by author who would write only to the point or he may
mix both according to the requirement for meeting his purpose. He may use
linguistic devices to make the alternative effective.
(ii) Stream of consciousness novel
The phrase ‘stream of consciousness’ means the flow of thoughts in the minds of the
characters. This phrase was coined by William James in his treatise ‘principles of
psychology.’ (1890). In such a novel incidents in the plot are in the sequence of their
occurrence. The novelist narrates them just s they occur in the minds of the
characters. Sometimes they do not make sense; but they truthfully represent the
thoughts without any censoring or editing.
(iii) Novella
The word 'Novella' which means new is originated from the Italian word 'novelle'. A
Novella is a type of prose fiction which is shorter than a full length novel and longer
than short stories. It is a well structured yet short narrative, often satiric or realistic
in tone. Novella usually focuses on one incident or issues with one or two main
characters and takes place at a single location.
(iv) Indian tradition of novels.
The first Indian novel in English was written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyaya
and it was titles ‘Rajmohan’s Wife’. The period after that is marked by few more
novels written by Indian writers. These novels bore either nationalistic virtues or
social issues as their main framework. The tradition of English novel has undergone
a vital change since its birth and has undoubtedly a very bright future

Novel: History

With origins dating back to poetic prose from thousands of years ago -- Elizabethan
times, fanciful French romance narratives from the mid-17th century, and episodic,
central-figure adventures from the Spanish Don Quixote era -- novel writing is an art
form that has long been an integral part of our culture.

Yet, just because novel writing predates many long-established civilizations, you
should not be discouraged from pursuing your dream.
Rather, much evidence points to the fact that even a first-time novelist can achieve
great success. Even if success takes the form of personal gratification, that should
prove to be a sufficient enough payoff to carry you forward as you embark on this
exciting and immensely fulfilling journey.

B. What is a Novel?

1. A fictional prose narrative of considerable length, typically having a plot that is

unfolded by the actions, speech, and thoughts of the characters

2. The literary genre represented by novels

Derived from the Italian word 'novella', the formalized term, "novel," was not used
until end of the 18th century. In its infancy, the term was used during the Medieval
Period as a literary classification to describe a shortened tale that relayed a
generalized sentiment reflective of the society-at-large.

In short, the goal of a novel is to offer the reader a streamlined, cohesive story in
which all of the components seamlessly combine to present a statement on the
human condition.

In our contemporary world, the use of "novel" has shifted to focus more on the
central character, than on the plot. Also playing a defining role in the novel is the
sense of realism. Although novels are developed as fictional stories, the underlying
element inherent in all, are truisms based upon human behavior, and the ways in
which we interact with others.

Thus, in line with this definition, the plot lines of a novel, though referring to a
fictional universe, need to be plausible in the sense they could happen in everyday
life. Examples of such humanistic elements include: aging, logical time sequences,
conventional ideas; e.g., necessity of travel to distant locales, money (barter) to
purchase goods and services, a 24-hour period being composed of phases of day and
night.