PREP SOLUTIONS - MODULE 2 Unit - III Study Materials

PREP SOLUTIONS - MODULE 2

Unit - III

FICTION & SHORT STORY

By Mahima Sathgurunandhan

From the beginning of civilization, the world has witnessed a whole lot of diverse cultures with some key attributes that intentionally or unintentionally showed similarities throughout the globe. One such thing is storytelling. It has been in existence for a long time. It is a part of everyone's life till now. And it has been developed into a proper literary form called 'Fiction', and it holds a major place in the literary world.

 

 

ORIGIN

The word 'Fiction' takes its origin from the Latin word 'fictiō', meaning fashioning, forming and formation.

WHAT IS FICTION?

Rather than focusing on factual elements, the core of fiction focuses on imagination and narrates the story about fictitious events, people, places and stories.

As Collins dictionary defines, 'Fiction refers to books and stories about imaginary people and events, rather than books about real people or events.'

FORMATS OF FICTION

Some of the major parts of fiction include a novella, the novel, short story, fable, legend and myth.

NOVELLA

Shorter than most of the novels and longer than short stories, novella actually inspired the birth of both short story and novel throughout Europe. The origin of novella dates back to Italy during the Middle ages. Novellas are based on local events that are interesting, humorous, political and such events. They are often presented in a satirical and realistic tone. 

 

SHORT STORY

As the name suggests, short stories are considered as a prose fiction which is much shorter than a novel, which is intended to be read in a single sitting. It often focuses on limited characters with one main plot and the story as well as the character arc is expected to be completed within the story. It is one of the oldest forms of narrating a story. The complex plot is avoided. The short story was not regarded as a distinct literary form before the 19th century.

NOVEL

As one of the popular formats of fiction, novels usually deal with complexity and human experience with imagination and narrated through a series of events and deals with many characters. It is also a prose narrative and is longer. The format of the novel itself has a variety of genres that include romantic, picaresque and gothic.

LEGEND

Legends is a story or stories regarding a particular place or a person which resembles folklore. It is popularly regarded as historical in context but is void of any proof. Each region has its own legends related to that particular region.

MYTH

Myth is a symbolic narrative that relates to religious beliefs. It plays a significant role in society. It embodies god's, mythical figures or superhumans in a particular tradition.

FLASH QUIZ QUESTIONS:

1.    What was the first novel written in Tamil?

Ans: prathapa Mudaliar Charithram by Samuel Vedanayagam Pillai.

 

2.    William Caxton set up his printing press on which year?

Ans: 1476

3.    The pen names of the Brontë sisters

    Ans:

Emily Brontë - Ellis Bell

Charlotte Brontë - Currer Bell

Anne Brontë - Acton Bell

 

4.    The first novel of R.K.Narayan

     Ans:

Swami and Friends. 

This book and much of Narayan's later works are set in the fictitious South Indian town of Malgudi.

 

5.    Pride and Prejudice, the romantic novel of Jane Austen published anonymously in three volumes in 

     Ans: 1813

(*) The next module will be all about Renaissance drama to Post Modern drama. Stay tuned for more updates.

Thank You

Best Regards,

PREP SOLUTIONS

@litlearnin.blogspot.com

For more literary contents, do-follow 

Expertise your Excellence with us