Novels

What are novels?

The novel is distinguished from the other forms of narrative literature by its length and by the development of its parts. Like other narratives it has a plot, setting, and characters. Plots tend to be well developed. In fact, a novel may have one or more sub-plots, (smaller stories). Each plot or sub-plot has a beginning, a middle, and an ending. Sub-plots may serve to develop the main plot, or they may be used as a distraction from the main plot. The distraction may offer humour to distract from a serious main plot. The events of the plot and sub-plot are developed in a number of places and times.

A novel’s setting is greatly expanded compared to the short story. The novel may take place over an extended period of time. The events of the novel may also take place in several places. Each time and place requires that the author add details specific to each time and place. The changes in time and place in a novel may impact the characters and the other events in small or large ways. A more developed setting allows us to get to know the characters better. We also get to see how characters act in different times and places.

Novels tend to have a greater number of characters than other forms of literature. Some characters may be involved in the main plot while other characters may only appear in sub-plots. There may be more than one main character. We get to know the main characters well because the writer shows us most of the characters’ qualities, positive and negative. We also get to see changes in the main characters.