Novel

ENGLISH STUDIES

Authors
A novel is a world specially made,

constructed or crafted in words by an author It is written for an audience It unfolds a series of events created by the author It evokes a response from the reader

How authors arrange events in a Novel

How the author arranges the events controls

the viewpoint of the reader The reader should ask, How is the author inviting me to view the events?

Events can be presented as:

narratives letters conversations thoughts of characters expressions on faces of the characters what an author does not mention etc.

How authors tell stories

First person narrative author creates a persona as a character in the story The author can invite the reader to judge the narrating character Reader feels close to the narrating character and has access to the mind of the narrating character

 Third person narrative Omniscient view of all events and all

characters (powerful like God) Limited omniscience has access to one character (events seen from one perspective) Note: narrative styles can be combined or a story could have more than one narrator

Authors Attitude
The interest taken in characters The interpretation and judgment of

characters and events, for example irony The reader should not only be able to recognise the irony depicted but also ask, Whats the point of the irony in this context?

Elements in a Novel
Plot main plot and sub-plots
Climax

Main Plot

Sub-plots Conflicts

Plot Conflict Resolution

Traditional novels start with main plot, main

conflict that is resolved at the end. Sub-plots more or less follow the same pattern and are usually resolved before main conflict is resolved Modern novels might not adhere strictly to this patters some conflicts might not even be resolved.

Sources of Conflict
1.

A character in conflict with another character

External conflict
2. A character in conflict with the environment *either nature or social or both

External conflict
3. A character in conflict with self

Internal conflict
4. Multiple conflicts

Characters
Main Minor Complex - Simple Round Flat Dynamic Static Stock Caricature

How to read Characters

Is the author telling or showing? How they speak and what do they say? What do characters say about one another? What is their appearance? (physical & dressing) Whats the social standing of characters? What are the names of the characters? Who are their friends, enemies, likes and dislikes? What do they do? What do they think of themselves and of others?

Setting
Time Place Social setting Atmosphere

Points to note about the significance of the setting

Setting and the mood of the characters Setting and the situation of the characters Setting and the personality of the characters Setting and theme

Themes in a Novel
Main (could be more than one) Minor (could be more than one)

Techniques/Devices
Flashback Dream sequence Irony Metaphor Symbol Etc.