What is a novel? Is it simple? Or complex?

According to Jane Smiley in 13 Ways of Looking at the Novel, a novel is “simple” and must adhere to 5 facts:
1.    length
2.    written
3.    prose
4.    narrative
5.    with a protagonist

Stated that way it does seem to be a simple way of looking at the novel, but as Smiley expands on each of these facts, we begin to see how the simple become complex.

“Narratives are as common as prose; they are the way humans have chosen to pack together events and emotions, happening in the world and how they make us feel.” – Jane Smiley

It’s only when we encounter the story’s protagonist that the novel moves from general to specific.

“The protagonist shapes the other four elements to himself. The narrative must be appropriate to him–it must grow out of his circumstances and teach him something.”

And then Smiley goes a step further and takes these concepts into the realm of complexity.

“A novel can be dropped or outmoded or rediscovered by readers, but it can’t be changed into something else…”

“A protagonist is usually interesting not because he is someone special… but because something happens to him.”

“No novel is ever about how everything turned out well for everyone through the achievement of utopia, whether of faith or politics. The protagonist must contrast to those around him to be the protagonist. This means that his fate sets him apart, happy or sad.”

All quotes are from Jane Smiley’s 13 Ways of Looking at the Novel.

lara
My Story Writer
writing software
www.mywritingsoftware.com


Miss a post from the 13 Ways series? Find it here:
Kickoff: The 13 Ways of Looking at the Novel | The 13 Ways | I Hate Introductions