READING INDIAN FICTION UNIT 1 NOTES ASPECTS OF THE NOVEL E. M. FORSTER

UNIVERSITY OF DELHI / SCHOOL OF OPEN LEARNING 

READING INDIAN FICTION IN ENGLISH
Value Addition Course (VAC) 

N.O.T.E.S 

UNIT-I  ASPECTS  OF  THE  NOVEL
E. M.  FORSTER

INTRODUCTION : 

E.M. Forster's book "Aspects of the Novel," published in 1927, is an important analysis of the genre and a canonical text for studying the critical reading of novels.

Forster provides insights into reading novels by focusing not only on the historical development of the genre but also on the general approach to reading novels critically and comprehensively.

The author acknowledges that novels often have a colloquial style that may reveal secrets to those who approach them from a less formal perspective.

Forster's book originated from a lecture series he delivered at Trinity College, Cambridge University, and its conversational tone makes it easily understandable.

It is recommended to read the original text of "Aspects of the Novel" before proceeding with the self-instructional material.

THE AUTHOR AND HIS WORKS

E.M. Forster is a renowned twentieth-century critic, known for his essays, reviews, articles, and poems collected in volumes such as "Abinger Harvest" and "Two Cheers for Democracy."

He is also a celebrated novelist, with his works being popular worldwide.

Forster argues that the novel is a free-form genre, lacking the rigid structures of poetry and drama, allowing authors to express themselves through characters and delve into introspection.

Novelists have the freedom to employ various writing methods and explore a wide range of topics, accurately portraying different periods and cultures.

Notable novels by Forster include "Where Angels Fear to Tread," "A Room with A View," "Howards End," "A Passage to India," "Maurice," and "Arctic Summer" (posthumous, unfinished).

His literary criticism includes "Aspects of the Novel," while his biographical works include "Goldsworthy Lowes Dickinson" and "Marianne Thornton, A Domestic Biography."

Forster also wrote travel guides and books, such as "Alexandria: A History and Guide," "Pharos and Pharillon," and "The Hill of Devi."

ASPECTS OF THE NOVEL: SUMMARY

"Aspects of the Novel" by E.M. Forster is an early attempt to analyze the genre of the novel.

The book is a published version of a series of lectures delivered by Forster at Trinity College, Cambridge University.

Forster defines a novel as "a fiction in prose of a certain extent" and explores the idea that a good novel combines content and style to provide aesthetic pleasure.

He expresses reservations about the limited scope of the lecture series, which focuses only on English literature and excludes works from other languages like Russian and French.

Forster acknowledges the greatness of authors like Tolstoy, Dostoyevsky, and Proust in their exploration of human life and consciousness, comparing them to English novelists.

He criticizes the scholarly method of classifying novels by chronology or subject matter, emphasizing the importance of reading and discovering what novels contain.

The title "Aspects of the Novel" is chosen because it is vague and allows for various interpretations and analyses of the genre.

Check Your Progress

1. How does Forster define the novel?
2. What is Forster’s assessment of the English novel?
3. What according to Forster is a serious fault in a critic?
4. What is Forster’s reason for using the word ‘Aspects’ in the title?

THE SEVEN ASPECTS OF NOVEL 

"Aspects of the Novel" by E.M. Forster focuses on seven aspects of the novel: story, characters, plot, fantasy, prophecy, patterns, and rhythm.

The story is central to the novel and keeps readers curious about what happens next. Forster uses the example of Scheherazade in "One Thousand and One Nights" to illustrate the importance of suspense and leaving readers wanting more.

Characters can be "flat" or "round." Flat characters have one or two distinguishing traits and are easily recognizable, while round characters have many facets and resemble real people. Both types are essential to a story's existence.

The plot is a recounting of events with an emphasis on cause and effect. It requires intelligent readers who can follow multiple strands of reasoning. A plot should strike a balance between events and characters, with characters exerting their personalities on the story.

Fantasy elements are often used to create a magical effect in novels, but fantasy can also be found in the extraordinary nature of commonplace objects and people. Prophecy involves characters that embody universal themes and the author's voice from the past.

Patterns in a novel can take the shape of circles or hourglasses, representing characters' journeys or changes in social status. The pattern should develop naturally to maintain authenticity and depth. Rhythm is represented by recurring motifs with slight modifications.

Forster emphasizes the importance of these aspects in understanding and analyzing novels.

Check Your Progress

5. In what sense are all readers like Scheherazade’s husband?
6. Explain ‘Flat’ and ‘Round’ characters.
7. How is a plot different from the story?

ASPECTS OF THE NOVEL: A CRITICAL APPRECIATION

According to E.M. Forster, a novel is based on a story, which is a narrative of events arranged in time-sequence. The story should pique the reader's interest and make sense of the novel's plot.

The author must incorporate both the temporal and value-based aspects of life to make the novel logical and meaningful.

Forster suggests that reading a novel aloud enhances the enjoyment as novels have a unique appeal to the ear and share similarities with the art of storytelling.

Characterization is a fundamental aspect of the novel. Forster emphasizes that the pertinent question is not "what happened next" but "to whom did it happen?" The author's voice and values are established through the characters.

Forster defends the use of "people" instead of "character" to describe the protagonists and antagonists, highlighting the originality and complexity of the characterizations.

Five essential human activities—birth, eating, sleeping, loving, and dying—are important to understand a novelist's characterization of humans. However, fiction writers often make their characters go through experiences that are not typical of real life.

To avoid the characters feeling unrealistic or overly restricted, novelists use multiple characters and manipulate the viewpoint. Forster categorizes protagonists as "flat" or "round," with round characters being more complex and multidimensional.

The narrator's involvement in the story influences the novelist's point of view, and the skill lies in the writer's ability to bounce the reader into accepting different viewpoints.

Forster distinguishes between the story and the plot. The story is a narrative of events arranged in time-sequence, while the plot emphasizes causality. The plot is considered the most critical aspect of the novel and should be well-organized, leaving no loose ends.

Other aspects of the novel discussed by Forster include fantasy and prophecy, pattern, and rhythm. Fiction writers can draw inspiration from real life or folklore, and the novel's aesthetic quality is defined by its pattern and rhythm.

"Aspects of the Novel" by E.M. Forster is a conversational and informative book that covers essential elements of the novel, making it a recommended read for those interested in English literature.

Check Your Progress

8. Briefly summarize all the major points made in the critical appreciation.

THE NOVEL AS A REFLECTION OF SOCIETY

Literary narratives reflect the cultural norms and values of the society they represent.

Novels can both reflect and critique society, offering a better version of the world.

Fiction uses factual details as raw materials but goes beyond mere representation.

Literature has always addressed socio-political, historical, and cultural concerns.

An author is a product of their time and represents society consciously or unconsciously.

There has been a debate about the role of realism versus fantasy in novels.

Some emphasize realism and objectivity, while others see fantasy as a means to create a better world.

Literature reflects the society and culture of its time, portraying both the bright and shadowy sides of reality.

Literature is a social product that shapes and is shaped by societies.

Literature provides a rich understanding of cultural practices, philosophical ideas, and personal qualities.

It serves as a portal to the past and an aspiration for the future.

Check Your Progress

9. Literature reflects cultural norms and values. Elucidate.
10. How far is it justified to say that a novel reflects society? Write a critical
note with reference to one novel that you have read in this course.

ANSWERS 

1. Forster defines the novel as "a fiction in prose of a certain extent."

2. Forster's assessment of the English novel is that no English novelist is as great as Tolstoy in providing a complete picture of human life, exploring the depths of the human soul like Dostoyevsky, or analyzing the modern consciousness as successfully as Marcel Proust.

3. According to Forster, a serious fault in a critic is provincialism, lacking a wide outlook.

Forster uses the word 'Aspects' in the title because it is vague and unscientific, allowing the reader/critic a lot of freedom and flexibility in analyzing and understanding the novel in different ways.

4. The seven aspects of the novel

"Aspects of the Novel" by E.M. Forster focuses on seven aspects of the novel: story, characters, plot, fantasy, prophecy, patterns, and rhythm.

The story is central to the novel and keeps readers curious about what happens next. Forster uses the example of Scheherazade in "One Thousand and One Nights" to illustrate the importance of suspense and leaving readers wanting more.

Characters can be "flat" or "round." Flat characters have one or two distinguishing traits and are easily recognizable, while round characters have many facets and resemble real people. Both types are essential to a story's existence.

Plot is a recounting of events with an emphasis on cause and effect. It requires intelligent readers who can follow multiple strands of reasoning. A plot should strike a balance between events and characters, with characters exerting their personalities on the story.

Fantasy elements are often used to create a magical effect in novels, but fantasy can also be found in the extraordinary nature of commonplace objects and people. Prophecy involves characters that embody universal themes and the author's voice from the past.

Patterns in a novel can take the shape of circles or hourglasses, representing characters' journeys or changes in social status. The pattern should develop naturally to maintain authenticity and depth. Rhythm is represented by recurring motifs with slight modifications.

Forster emphasizes the importance of these aspects in understanding and analyzing novels.

5. All readers are like Scheherazade's husband in the sense that they are curious and eager to know what happens next in a story. Just as Scheherazade kept her husband in suspense by abruptly stopping her stories, readers are similarly captivated by narratives and desire to uncover the unfolding events.

6. 'Flat' and 'Round' characters are distinctions made by Forster.

    Flat characters are those who have only one or two distinguishing traits. They are easily recognizable and can be summed up in a single line. They are convenient for the novelist as they do not require reintroduction, development, or much attention to detail. Flat characters often serve a specific purpose within the story, providing a specific atmosphere or function.

In contrast, round characters have many facets and resemble real people. They are more complex and fully developed, with depth and multidimensionality. Round characters exhibit growth, change, and complexity throughout the narrative, making them more relatable and believable. They require more attention and investment from the author and the reader.

7. The plot and the story are distinct elements in a novel.

        The story refers to the sequence of events that take place in a novel. It focuses on what happens and the overall narrative content. It answers the question of "what" occurs in the story, following a chronological order of events.

On the other hand, the plot is the arrangement or structuring of those events with an emphasis on cause and effect. It is concerned with how and why things happen in the story. The plot includes the strategic decisions made by the author to create suspense, build tension, and develop the narrative arc. It shapes the story by organizing events, revealing information, and creating a meaningful structure.

        In summary, the story is the raw material of events, while the plot is the artistic and creative arrangement of those events to create a compelling and coherent narrative.

8. A novel is based on a story, which is a narrative of events arranged in time-sequence, and the plot is the most critical aspect of the novel.

The story should engage the reader's interest and make sense of the plot. Reading a novel aloud enhances enjoyment as it has an appeal to the ear and is similar to storytelling.

Characterization is fundamental, and the author's voice and values are established through the characters.

The author uses "people" instead of "character" to highlight originality and complexity.

Fiction writers often make their characters go through experiences not typical of real life.

Novelists use multiple characters and manipulate viewpoints to balance realism and freedom.

Protagonists can be "flat" or "round," with round characters being complex and multidimensional.

The narrator's involvement influences the point of view, and the skill lies in the writer's ability to guide the reader's acceptance of different viewpoints.

The plot emphasizes causality and should be well-organized, leaving no loose ends.

Other aspects discussed include fantasy and prophecy, pattern, and rhythm, which contribute to the novel's aesthetic quality.

"Aspects of the Novel" by E.M. Forster is a recommended read for those interested in English literature, as it covers essential elements of the novel in an engaging and informative manner.

9. Literature reflects cultural norms and values by portraying and exploring the beliefs, customs, traditions, social structures, and ideologies prevalent in a particular society. Through literary narratives, authors can offer insights into the collective consciousness of a community, reflecting its values, aspirations, conflicts, and moral dilemmas. By depicting the thoughts, actions, and interactions of characters, literature provides a mirror to society, enabling readers to engage with and critically examine their own cultural context.

10. It is justified to say that a novel reflects society to a significant extent. While novels are not direct representations of reality, they often draw inspiration from real-life events, social issues, and cultural contexts. They can present a microcosm of society, shedding light on its strengths, flaws, and complexities. One novel that exemplifies this is "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee.

"To Kill a Mockingbird" is set in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama, during the 1930s, and it portrays the deeply ingrained racism and social inequalities of the time. Through the eyes of Scout Finch, the young protagonist, the novel explores the themes of racial injustice, class discrimination, and the power dynamics within a small Southern community. Lee's novel reflects the societal norms and values prevalent during that era, highlighting the prejudices and injustices faced by African Americans.

The character of Atticus Finch, Scout's father, serves as a moral compass and challenges the prevailing social norms. As a lawyer, he defends a black man falsely accused of raping a white woman, despite facing hostility and prejudice from his community. Atticus represents the author's critique of societal injustice and racism, offering an alternative perspective that challenges the status quo.

Through its nuanced characters, vivid setting, and exploration of social issues, "To Kill a Mockingbird" serves as a reflection of the society it portrays. It captures the complexities, contradictions, and struggles of a particular time and place, allowing readers to gain insight into the cultural norms and values of that period.

In conclusion, novels like "To Kill a Mockingbird" reflect society by depicting its realities, shedding light on social issues, and challenging prevailing norms. They serve as windows into the past, enabling readers to understand and critically analyze the cultural context in which they are situated.