GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF SHORT STORY

 

INTRODUCTION:

Short prose fiction is one of the oldest forms of literature. The earliest examples of the short story can be seen in the stories written in 3000 BCE in ancient Egypt. The parables of the Bible are another examples of short prose fiction. These impart moral lessons to the reader. Yet another example of this genre is the Sanskrit collection of ‘Panchtantra’ from India. Other examples from the East include the Arabic collections Thousand and One Nights and The Book of Sindbad. Two of the most well-known collections of early short stories from the West are the Decameron, a collection of a hundred tales by the Italian writer Boccaccio, and The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer. Both were written in the fourteenth century.

FOREFATHERS OF SHORT STORY:
It can be said that the forefathers of the short story are myth, legend, parable, fairy tale, fable, anecdote, character study and even the ballad. The features of short story as a literary form are similar to that of the French ‘conte’ and ‘novelle’, the Spanish ‘novela’, the Italian ‘novella’ and the German ‘Novelle’.

In second half of the 18^th century the short story was being developed and established in Britain. It was partly as a result of the popularity of the oriental tale but more so as a result of the popularity of the Gothic novel. In the opening years of the 19^th century the short story as a form was highly evolved, especially in the shape of the ghost story and the horror story, and the stories which had to do with the supernatural.

The short story was recognised as a major literary form in the nineteenth century. The form first became popular not in England, but in America. Even there the term ‘short story’ was used only in 1880s. Edgar Allan Poe was the first important author to analyse this form and discuss the various effects that a short story could have, such as surprise and fear.

Other American writers include Nathaniel Hawthrone, Herman Melville and O. Henry. Some examples of well known short stories are ‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow’ by Washington Irving, ‘The Gift of Magi’ by O. Henry, ‘The Necklace’ by Guy de Maupassant, and ‘The Secret Life of Walter Mitty’ by James Thurber. Famous collections of short stories include Poe’s ‘Tales of Mystery and Imagination’(1902), ‘Dubliners (1914) by James Joyce, and ‘Interpreter of Maladies’ (1999) by Jhumpa Lahiri.

CONCLUSION:

Today,  the short story is a very popular form all over the world and appears in almost every language. Famous writers of short stories include Anton Chekhov, Arthur Conan Doyle, D.H. Lawrence, Leo Tolstoy, Earnest Hemingway, Flannery O’ Connor, Franz Kafka, R.K. Narayan, Ray Bradbury, Saadat Hasan Manto, Isaac Asimov, Khushwant Singh and Alice Munroe, to name just a few.

INTRODUCTION TO ESSAY AS A LITERARY FORM

 

INTRODUCTION:

The essay is a widely practiced form in modern literature. An essay could be defined as a short piece of writing that reveals the writer’s views or analysis of particular subject. As a literary form, it is difficult to study systematically since it varies greatly in style, treatment and method. It could range in length from Francis Bacon’s brief pieces of concentrated wisdom, running into a page or two, to the book length pieces by John Locke, Lord Macaulay and Herbert Spencer. It is one of the most flexible and adaptable of all literary forms.

The essay could vary in subject matter too. For example, Bacon shared his views on various subjects ranging from love, death, and atheism to travel, marriage and gardens. The essays of the French renaissance philosopher Michel de Montaigne are an assortment of random thoughts, quotations and anecdotes. Even with regard to treatment, each writer has his or her own style in approaching the subject. Charles Lamb employed a conversational style, taking the reader through a gamut of emotions, while Jonathan Swift used biting satire to attack his opponents in his essays.

SOME DEFINITIONS OF ESSAY

The word ‘essay’ has been applied to nearly every kind of writing except poems, plays and stories. For the sake of convenience, one can define the essay as a brief composition in prose on any particular subject or branch of a subject. According to Samuel Johnson, as essay is ,

 

“A loose sally of the mind; an irregular, undigested piece; not a regular and orderly composition”

According to E.V. Lucas,

“A good essay, more than a novel, a poem , a play, or a treatise, is personality translated into print.”

Aldous Huxley defined essay as,

“a literary device for saying almost everything about almost anything.”

Montaigne (1533-92) could be considered the father of the modern essay. It was he who first used the term ‘essais’, meaning ‘attempt’ , ‘experiment’, or endeavor’, for this type of writing. His essays were informal in nature and had a warmth and grace about them. In 1597, Francis Bacon applied the word ‘essay’ to this genre for the first time in English. Bacon is considered to be a pioneer of this form.

FEATURES OF THE ESSAY:

Ø  The modern essay tends to limit its length and range as far as the treatment of the subject goes. When the essay grows too long and attempts an exhaustive view of the subject, it ceases to be an essay and the term ‘dissertation; or ‘thesis’ could be applied to it. The difference between an essay and the dissertation is that the essay is addressed to the lay person while the later is for the consumption of the specialist.

Ø  An essay does not attempt to give the reader an exhaustive or comprehensive understanding of its subject. A good essay should have conciseness and thoroughness expected from a master of the subject.  Comparative brevity is a formal feature of the essay.  According to the British author William Henry Hudson,

 

“selection and the proper distribution of emphasis will… be found among the elementary principles of essay writing.’

 

A good essay does not attempt too much.

Ø  In spite of being only about a part of a subject, a good essay nevertheless gives the reader a sense of completeness in its treatment. Although the essay touches a few aspects of a subject, it must look complete to the reader.

Ø  The subject matter of the essay is unlimited and the form could cover a vast range of topics.

Some of the well-known types of literary essays are

• Ø  Aphoristic Essay
• Ø  Personal Essay
• Ø  Character Sketch
• Ø  Critical Essay
• Ø  Periodical Essay

Conclusion:

The essay is a versatile and engaging form of literary expression. It allows writes to communicate their thoughts and ideas on various topics, appealing to readers’ intellect and emotions. With its concise format and clear structure, the essay encourages critical thinking and invites readers to explore new perspectives. The essay form has been flourished a lot because of the famous essayists like Charles Lamb, William Hazlitt, Thomas de Quincey, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Lord Macaulay, Leigh Hunt, Thomas Carlyle, John Ruskin, E.V. Lucas and several others.

INTRODUCTION TO NOVEL AS A LITERARY FORM

 

INTRODUCTION:

A novel could be defined as a long work of prose fiction containing characters, incidents and a plot. The word ‘novel’ comes from the Italian ‘novella’ meaning ‘piece of news’ or ‘tale’, and was first applied to tales like Boccaccio’s Decameron. Which were very popular in the fourteenth century. Though it originated much after other genres like poetry and drama, it is one of the most popular forms of literature today.

The popularity of the novel grew with the passing of every century. In the 19^th century, many great novels were written by authors such as Walter Scott, Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters, George Eliot, Thomas Hardy and Henry James, to name just a few. In the 20^th century, the novel saw tremendous changes and became a highly sophisticated art form in the hands of writers such as Joseph Conrad, Virginia Woolf, James Joyce, Graham Greene and William Golding. In the 21^st century, novels are being written in almost every corner of the globe, and novelists continue to experiment with various styles, plots and techniques.

ELEMENTS OF NOVEL:

There are certain principal elements which enter into the composition of a novel.

1.    Plot

2.    Narrative Technique

3.    Characters

4.    Setting

5.    Dialogue

6.    Style

7.    Implied philosophy of life

 

Plot:

Plot could be defined as a series of events developed in a meaningful manner. In the first place the novel deals with events and actions, with things which are suffered and done, and these constitute what we commonly call the plot.

Narrative Technique:

The method of narration is another element of a novel. To create a good narrative, the author needs to select the incidents carefully and creates some connection between a series of events. It is the narrator who weaves all these things together. There are three modes of narration- the first person , the second person, and the third person.

Characters:

Secondly, the thing happen to people and are suffered or done by the people and the men and women who thus carry on the action form , its characters. Creating life-like characters is vital to the craft of fiction.

Setting:

The next important element in novel is setting, that is, the time and place of action. Setting is the combination of place, historical time and social milieu. It provides the context and the general background for the characters and the plot.

 

Dialogue:

The conversation of the characters in the novel  introduces the next element that is dialogue. Dialogue is often so closely connected with characterization and hence an integral part of it.

Style:

The element of style may be put next on the list. This too is an important element of novel.

Implied philosophy of life:

 The last element of a novel is stated or implied philosophy of life. Directly or indirectly, and whether the writer himself is conscious of it or not, every novel must necessarily present a certain view of life, and of some of the problems of life; that is, it must so exhibit incidents, characters, passion, motives, as to reveal more or less distinctly the way in which the author looks out upon the world and his general attitude towards it.

 FEATURES OF THE NOVEL:

EXTENDED PROSE NARRATIVE

The novel is an extended prose narrative, unlike the short story which is smaller in scope and length. One distinguishing feature of novels is their length. They are considerably longer that short stories, ranging from a few hundred to several thousand pages. The extensive length provides authors with the opportunity for detailed description, character development and complex storylines. It allows them to create immersive worlds that readers can fully explore and become engrossed in.  

VARIETY OF CHARACTERS:

Within a novel, readers encounter a variety of characters, each with their own unique personalities, dreams and flaws. These characters undergo challenges and experiences that shape their growth and transformation. As reader, one has the privilege of accompanying them on their journeys, sharing their emotions and developing a deeper connection with them.

 WIDE RANGE OF THEMES:

Novels include a wide range of themes. They can be romantic, adventurous, mysterious, or even set in fantastical realms with elements of magic and mythical creatures. The diversity of novels ensures that there is something to suit every reader’s preference. It offers a captivating and enjoyable experience.

CONCLUSION:

In conclusion, novels are lengthy and captivating literary works that transport us to extraordinary realms. They provide in-depth storytelling, intricate character development and the exploration of complex plots. Within their extensive length, novels offer a wide array of themes and genres, ensuring a compelling read for all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION TO SHORT STORY AS A LITERARY FORM

INTRODUCTION TO SHORT STORY AS A LITERARY FORM

INTRODUCTION:

The short story is a favourite form in modern literature. Because of the rush of modern life, people find it convenient to read short stories rather than bulky volumes. A short story could be defined as a short piece of fiction that concentrates on a single incident, a single character or very few characters, or the creation of a single effect or impression. It is marked by an economy of expression and tightness of form, and can be read in one sitting. The defining factor of the short story is that it should be short. With the growth of various periodicals, the short story has become most widely read literary form. H.G. Wells defines short story as,

“The jolly art of making something very bright and

moving; it may be horrible or pathetic or funny or

profoundly illuminating. It should take fifteen to

fifty minutes to read aloud”

 

Here it is noticeable that any subject from the world can be included in the short story but it must limit its range as far as length is considered. Edger Allen Poe also emphasizes on the view that there should be no word written which is not concerned with the story directly or indirectly.

BREVITY/SHORTNESS/LENGTH OF THE STORY:

The short story, name itself indicates the first and foremost characteristic i.e., the shortness or pithiness of the story. It is the briefness of the story that differentiates short story from the other forms of literature such as novel, drama, or essay. However, it is very difficult to decide how the length of the story be measured. According to H.G. Wells:

 

“It should take fifteen to fifty minutes to read aloud.”

Somerset Maugham has indulged in counting of the words and states:

 

“The shortest item runs to about 1,600 words and the longest to about 20,000 words.”

 

But it would be wrong to fall into the exactness of the story’s length as D.H. Lawrence’s story ‘The Fox’ runs about 3o, ooo words; while Kleist‘s story Bettelweib Von Locarno is of only 800 words.

Edger Allen Poe emphasizes:

 

“In the whole composition, there should be no word written, of which the tendency, direct or indirect, is not to the one pre – established design.”

 

It suggests that the description of the incident or place or human must not be lengthened without necessity but it does not mean that needed description be avoided.

Short story must be brief need not be understood as the summarized novel. Information relevant to the tale must be included but like novel; short story cannot afford to diverge from the main plot.

Brevity or economy is the soul of a short story. The short story must present minimum number of events and character. It means that a short story must cover only a small chunk of human life. There should be no sub-plot as far as possible. Unnecessary characters should be avoided. The protagonist must be given importance.

SINGLE INCIDENT:

Short story cannot afford the space for a leisurely analysis and sustained development of character, and cannot develop as dense and detailed a social milieu as does the novelist. We can say that, by and large, the short story writer introduces a limited number of persons with single incident. Good stories concentrate on single incident or incidents of a particular person and not on a life story of character and characters.

An eminent short story writer believes that the short story should have neither beginning nor end. It should only be a “Slice of Life”

In the story ‘Child’ Premchand begins the story with Gangu’s leaving the job for  marrying  widow Gomti and people ‘s view about Gomti but very swiftly he focuses on the child and emphasizes the centrality of the story around child. It shows the very apt example of singleness of incident as story offers layers of talk but does not leave the aim.

 

SINGLE CHARACTER OR FEW CHARACTERS:

Short story should concentrate on the incidents in the life of single character. Story writer can introduce more than one character but focus must be on one whose life is described. Many characters in the story can spoil the whole design and it would not be able to give the desired effect.

As ‘The Gift of Magi’ narrates the life of the couple Jim and Della and their wish to give present on the eve of Christmas.

SINGLENESS OF EFFECT:

The founder of Modern short story America -Nathaniel Hawthorne and Edger Allan Poe both laid stress on the ‘Singleness of Effect’ and “Final Impression’ as hallmarks of good short story. Poe opines that a good short story writer will not arrange his thoughts for incident but for single effect. If writer is not able to establish the single effect, he fails to fulfill the first important step as a story writer. W.H.Hudson rightly puts:

 

“A short story must contain one and only one informing idea and that is idea must be worked out to its logical conclusion with absolute singleness of aim and directness of method”

Story should be able to complete the picture in its totality. It should leave the lasting impression in our memory.

VAST RANGE OF THEMES:

The range of the short story In respect of theme is unlimited. A good short story may be written on almost any theme and may deal with any kind of motive. H.E.Bates sums up the scope of short story in these words:

 

“It can be anything from death of a horse to a young girl’s first love affair, from the static sketch without plot to the swiftly moving action and climax”

 

 

CONCLUSION:

 The short story is a type of literature that people have enjoyed for a long time. It is a small story that tells a complete tale using only a few words. Unlike longer books, short stories aim to make a strong impact in a shorter format. Famous writers of short stories include Anton Chekhov, Arthur Conan Doyle, D.H. Lawrence, Leo Tolstoy, Ernest Hemingway, Franz Kafka, R.K.Narayan, Khushwant Singh and Alice Munroe, to name just a few.