6 Elements of Novel: A Literary Theory Part 1

Everybody knows that novel is a part of literary works that is well known for its long story and also known as the first long story written in the form of written literature.In Kennedy and Gioia (1995), it is stated that there are six (6) kinds of elements of the novel, as follows:

Plot (Action). Plot is the sequence of the actions and events in a story. In plot of the novel, the author must only choose one of the event and only one action (a single event or period within a story or to the series of events means the action of the story may be an external event or series of events, a change in a character’s mind, a series of mental events that lead to an external event or to the avoidance of an external event.

Character. Character simply means a person who acts, appears, or is referred to in a work. As a literary term has an altogether meaning. It refers to any of the make believe persons we encounter in fiction. Character is the person who takes a part of the events which described in the plot. There are two kinds of characters, as follows:
a. Major Character is the character of person who always appears in the novel until the novel comes to its resolution. Sometimes it is said as leading character. The leading character is a more ordinary and realistic character, and without quite so many implications of virtue. It is usually called as protagonist.
b. Minor Character is the character of person who seldom appears in the novel. This character usually appears occasionally. It is usually called as antagonist. Antagonist is a character whether man or woman who is making for an ideal.

Characterization. Characterization is the depicting of clear images of a person. It doesn’t matter who or what the characters are, so long as we can identify ourselves with them.

Setting. Setting is the local and period in which a story occurs. A story must take a place in space and time, and therefore must have some setting. Setting is as important as the character.

Theme. The term ‘theme’ refers to some general idea embedded in a story the key word in general. Therefore, theme can be defined as a generalization about life or human character that a story explicitly or implicitly embodies.

Point of View. Point of view is one important tool in telling a story since it determines how much the reader should know and what is happening.

Source:
Kennedy, X. J. and Gioia, Dana. 1995. An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry and Drama. USA: Harper Collins College Publisher - Wesleyan University.

Posted by miasastra

Tweet