The modern novel

The modern novel

1. THE MODERN NOVEL

2. Novel written in modern times-the twentieth century and the end of nineteenth century. Reflects aspiration, concerns, fears, way of thinking as well as artistic and literary taste of the modern era. The modern scientific discoveries, the new technologies, the social and political ideologies, the ideas and the beliefs, and people’s different conceptions about themselves and about the universe at large found their way in the modern novel.

3. Characteristics of the modern novel. Modern novel is realistic and presents a frank image of the world and all aspects of human experience but abandons the realism of nineteenth century where only the sordid aspects of life are depicted. Modern novel is subjective, presenting the world from perspective of individual character, reflecting his or her biases or distorted vision. A relativistic perception of reality replaces the objective views of whole community. Morality is relative. Modern novel is psychological. Under the influence of the modern theories of Sigmund Freud, modern novel tends to reveal the hidden inner motives behind people’s actions.

4. The technique of the stream of consciousness reflects the character’s jumbled flow of perceptions, memories and feelings. A break with linear, developmental, cause and effect presentation of the reality and with the chronological order of the plot make a large number of modern novels. The impact of the two world wars has left its mark on modern art and literature. A deep sense of pessimism has replaced the nineteenth century optimism.

5. Major Novelists First major novelist of modern period is Thomas Hardy whose best works include Tess of the D’Urbervilles, Far from the Madding Crowd and Jude the Obscure. D. H. Lawrence wrote with understanding about social life of lower and middle class. His works include Sons and Lovers and The Rainbow. James Joyce is best known for Ulysses, a land mark work where Joyce utilizes the stream of consciousness. Viginia Woolf was an influential feminist and associated with the stream of consciousness. Her novels include Mrs. Dalloway, To the light house.