The English Novel in Literature (2)

Length

    The first quality of a novel is its length. Although there are no definite rules on the subject of length, it is generally agreed among writers and publishers that the length of the narrative must be good enough. generally more than 100 pages. If it is less than that, is usually referred to as a novella, such as Ernest Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea and George Orwell's Animal Farm.

Emphasis on the Character

    Another quality of a novel is its emphasis on the characters in the story. Since a novel is longer than a short story, the length of a novel allows the author to give the reader a much fuller description of the characters and to introduce more than one conflict. Therefore, the reader can better understand the character's motives for action or inaction, relationships with others, and their own personal feelings, dreams and fears.

Structure

A novel has more than one themes, conflicts, points of view or plot.  

Plot

    The plot is the series of events that happen in the novel. The plot is like a rollercoaster that climbs slowly up a big hill and then quickly drops down at a sharp angle. a story begins with the exposition, the action rises to a climax, or high point in a work and then falls to a resolution or denouncement. 

Plot of Novels (The Conflict)

In early novels plots centred on three different conflicts. These three major conflicts all dealt with how the individual viewed himself or herself in relation to society to the self, and to other individuals. 

• Person VS. Society

• Person VS. Self

• Person VS. Person

Setting

• Where and when a story takes place

• Time of day or year

• Geographical location

• Climate or weather

• Immediate surroundings of the character

Purpose of Setting

• Setting serves many purposes in a story such as a backdrop. supporting or antagonistic role etc.

Theme

    Theme is the central idea in a literary work that serves to unify the story. It is what the author has to say about death, love, hope, courage, morality, society, etc. Every element of the novel; plot, point of view, setting and character contribute to the theme. 

Character

• Person in a literary work

• Main character, the protagonist

• Character in direct conflict with the protagonist, the antagonist

 Property of a Plot

Another quality of a novel is the complexity of plot. Unlike the short story, a novel will often have more than one major conflict within the plot. Often the author is interested in developing a plot in which the main goal for the character is better understand his or her own humanity or place in society. The conflict can be internal or external.