THE NOVEL
The novel is a lengthy work of prose
fiction. Today we are examining the different types of novel.
1. The picaresque novel: This novel originated in Spain in the 16th
century. The word “picaresque” is from the Spanish word “picaresca” which is
from “picaro” which means “rogue”. The picaresque novel explores the adventures
of a hero or heroine who is roguish and
usually of a low social class who succeeds due to his or her intelligence in a
corrupt world. The novel is usually
satirical and is a comedy.
2. The magical realism: This novel is usually common in Latin American
literature. This novel is also called “marvelous realism.” This type of literature reflects unreal
supernatural actions and depicts magical experiences in a real world. Strange
occurrences take place in the novel that are above human and natural influences.
3. The short story: This is a work of
prose fiction which is not lengthy like the novel. It originates from the oral
tradition of story telling. Most short stories teach morals and do not prolong
action. Actions and events are short and the plot is not usually complex. The
story usually starts close to the climax and ends abruptly. The resolution
phase follows immediately after the climax and is short.
4. The political novel: This novel depicts political events and
criticizes political events in a society which might be fictitious or non
fictitious. This novel is usually satirical and seeks to correct political
misconceptions and ills in the society.
5. The novelette: This is also called
“novella.” It is a work of prose fiction
that is not as short as the ‘short story’ and not as long as the ‘novel.’ It is
usually a comedy, romantic and trivial.
6. The bildungsroman novel: This is a ‘coming-of-age’ novel. This novel
portrays the psychological, physical and moral growth of the protagonist. A gradual
change in character is the main point that distinguishes the novel.
7. The psychological novel: This type of
novel places much emphasis on “interior characterization, motives,
circumstances, and internal action which springs from and develops external
action.”
8. The sociological novel: It is also
known as the ‘Social protest novel.’ In this novel, a social issue is addressed
and criticized. It is usually created as a means for propaganda.
9. The epistolary novel: This novel is
usually written in “letter form.” It usually seems real and might compel a
reader into believing that it is non-fictitious. Other forms of the epistolary
novels are diary entries, newspapers, e-mails, blogs,etc.
10. The gothic novel: This novel mixes
death, romance and horror to create a story. It creates terror and fear in the readers’
mind. It was produced in England in the 18th century first. The
first gothic novel is The Castle of
Otranto by Horace Walpole.
11. The historical novel: This type of novel has its geographical
setting and time setting in the past. The most important thing about this novel
is that it is set in the past and portrays the events and actions that took
place at that period.
12. The science fiction novel: This is the
type of prose fiction which portrays imaginations and ideologies involving
science and technology like time travel, space travel, universes, life in other
planets, and science innovations, etc. It also depicts fantasy, and
supernatural.
13. Flash fiction: A very brief story. It
is much shorter than the “short story.” It is usually a story of 1000 or fewer
words. It is also called “micro fiction or postcard fiction.”
14. Legal fiction: According to Wikipedia, it is a novel which
allows the “Court to ignore a fact that would prevent it from exercising its
jurisdictions by simply assuming that the fact is different.”
15. Proletarian novel: This is a revolutionary type of novel which is
created by the communist party usually. It depicts the lives of the grass root,
manual working class individuals in a society. It is the novel written by the
proletariats, about the proletariats and for the proletariats.
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