THE STUDY OF NOVEL - ENGLISH
Aamina Belim
The study of novel
English
TYBA
Maharani Shree Nanduvarka Mahila Colllege
Pride and Prejudice - https://www.canva.com/design/DAGx2OVzmJ4/JTOL-6WL7ISeht2J3GxYwA/edit?utm_content=DAGx2OVzmJ4&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton
SENSE AND SENSBILITY
HOME ASSIGNMENT
Jane Austen was a renowned English novelist born on December 16, 1775, in Steventon, Hampshire. She grew up in a close and supportive family, receiving most of her education at home. From a young age, Austen showed a talent for writing, creating stories that reflected the social world around her. She lived a relatively quiet life, never marrying, and spent much of her time in the English countryside. Despite the limitations placed on women during her time, she developed a unique literary voice known for its sharp wit, keen observation, and subtle irony. Austen passed away in 1817 at the age of 41, but her influence has endured, and she remains one of the most celebrated authors in English literature.Austen wrote major novels before the age of 22, but she was not published until she was 35. The anonymously published Sense and Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park (1814), and Emma (1816) were modest successes, but they brought her little fame in her lifetime. She wrote two other novels—Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, both published posthumously in 1817—and began another, eventually titled Sanditon, but it was left unfinished on her death. She also left behind three volumes of juvenile writings in manuscript, the short epistolary novel Lady Susan, and the unfinished novel The Watsons.
ABOUT SENSE AND SENSIBILITY
Sense and Sensibility (working title; Elinor and Marianne) is the first novel by the English author Jane Austen, published in 1811. It was published anonymously: By A Lady appears on the title page where the author's name might have been.
The novel is probably set between 1792 and 1797[2] and follows the three Dashwood sisters and their widowed mother as they are forced to leave the family estate in Sussex and move to a modest cottage on the property of distant relative in Devon. There the two eldest girls experience love and heartbreak that tries the contrasting characters of both.
BRIEF
PLOT
THEMES
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This is the central theme of the novel.
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Elinor represents sense – she is rational, self-controlled, and cautious in love.
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Marianne represents sensibility – she is emotional, impulsive, and led by her feelings.
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Austen explores the strengths and weaknesses of both approaches and suggests that a balance between the two leads to true happiness.
2. Love and Marriage
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Marriage is central to the plot.
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Austen critiques how women must marry for financial security, not just love.
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The characters' romantic journeys highlight different kinds of love — rational, impulsive, selfish, or genuine.
3. Social Class and Inheritance
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Wealth and class define opportunities, especially for women.
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The Dashwood sisters are disadvantaged by inheritance laws favoring male heirs.
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The novel critiques the unfairness of the class system and its effect on marriage prospects.
4. Gender Roles and Expectations
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Women are expected to be modest, passive, and dependent.
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Elinor and Marianne must navigate societal expectations while maintaining personal integrity.
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The novel shows how women’s lives are limited by social norms.
5. Money and Security
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Money plays a huge role in romantic choices.
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Characters like Willoughby prioritize wealth over love.
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Austen shows how financial security often overrides genuine emotion in relationships.
6. Reputation and Social Appearance
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Public opinion affects marriageability and respect.
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Characters like Marianne suffer when they act outside social norms.
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Austen shows how damaging the obsession with appearances can be.
A novel is a long, fictional narrative that describes intimate human experiences. It is one of the most popular and influential forms of literature, allowing writers to explore complex characters, detailed settings, and compelling plots over an extended length. Unlike short stories or plays, a novel provides ample space for authors to develop their themes, present conflicts, and delve deeply into the psychological aspects of their characters. The novel has been a powerful form of storytelling for centuries, helping readers to better understand the world around them—and themselves.
Definition and Characteristics of a Novel
A novel is typically a prose narrative of significant length, usually divided into chapters. It involves a plot that unfolds over time and includes various characters, settings, and events. The primary purpose of a novel is to entertain, inform, or provoke thought. It can be based on real-life events, purely fictional, or somewhere in between.
Key characteristics of a novel include:
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Length and Complexity: Unlike short stories, novels are lengthy and allow for greater development of characters and subplots.
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Character Development: Novels often focus on the growth or changes in the main characters, known as character arcs.
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Narrative Style: Novels can be written in the first person, third person, or even use multiple narrators.
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Theme Exploration: Novels explore a wide range of themes—love, war, identity, freedom, justice, etc.—and offer deeper insight into human experiences.
History of the Novel
The origins of the novel can be traced back to ancient times, but the form as we know it today began to take shape in the 18th century. Early examples include "Don Quixote" by Miguel de Cervantes (1605), often considered the first modern novel. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the novel became a dominant literary form in Europe, especially in England, with authors like Daniel Defoe, Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and Mary Shelley playing major roles.
In the 20th and 21st centuries, the novel continued to evolve, embracing modernist, postmodernist, and contemporary styles. Writers like James Joyce, Virginia Woolf, Chinua Achebe, Haruki Murakami, and Toni Morrison pushed the boundaries of the genre by experimenting with language, structure, and point of view.
Types of Novels
Novels come in many genres and styles. Some of the most common types include:
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Romantic Novels: Focus on love and relationships (e.g., Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen).
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Historical Novels: Set in the past and based on historical events (e.g., War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy).
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Science Fiction and Fantasy: Explore imaginative worlds and futuristic ideas (e.g., Dune by Frank Herbert).
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Mystery and Thriller: Involve suspense, crime, and investigation (e.g., The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown).
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Coming-of-Age Novels: Focus on the psychological and moral growth of a young character (e.g., The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger).
Each type offers a unique way of telling a story and connecting with readers.
Importance of the Novel
The novel is more than just a form of entertainment. It has the power to influence society, shape public opinion, and foster empathy. By stepping into the lives of fictional characters, readers can experience perspectives different from their own, understand diverse cultures, and confront complex moral dilemmas.
Furthermore, novels can serve as historical documents, preserving the thoughts, values, and struggles of a particular time period. They also play a vital role in education, helping students develop language skills, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a novel is a rich and versatile form of literature that offers deep insights into the human condition. Through complex narratives, developed characters, and powerful themes, novels allow readers to explore different worlds, reflect on their own lives, and better understand others. From ancient tales to modern bestsellers, the novel remains one of the most beloved and enduring forms of artistic expression in human history.
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