BILDUNGSROMAN Meaning and
Definition
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Bildungsroman is a German literary term that refers to a specific type of novel that focuses on the psychological and moral growth of the protagonist from childhood to adulthood. The term literally translates to "novel of education" or "formation novel," and it has been widely used in literary criticism to describe a specific genre of coming-of-age stories.
In a bildungsroman, the narrative often explores the protagonist's personal development, maturation, and self-discovery as they navigate the complexities of life and face various challenges and dilemmas. These novels typically delve into the protagonist's inner world, exploring their thoughts, emotions, and moral dilemmas as they transition from innocence to experience.
Common themes in a bildungsroman include identity formation, the search for meaning and purpose, the conflict between individual desires and societal expectations, and the protagonist's struggle to find their place in the world.
Some well-known examples of bildungsroman literature include "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens, "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, and "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger. These novels often provide valuable insights into the human condition and offer readers an opportunity to reflect on their own personal growth and development.
Overall, bildungsroman novels provide a unique narrative approach that focuses on the protagonist's psychological and moral evolution, presenting a compelling story of self-discovery and growth.
Common Misspellings for BILDUNGSROMAN
- vildungsroman
- nildungsroman
- hildungsroman
- gildungsroman
- buldungsroman
- bjldungsroman
- bkldungsroman
- boldungsroman
- b9ldungsroman
- b8ldungsroman
- bikdungsroman
- bipdungsroman
- biodungsroman
- bilsungsroman
- bilxungsroman
- bilcungsroman
- bilfungsroman
- bilrungsroman
- bileungsroman
- bildyngsroman
Etymology of BILDUNGSROMAN
The word "bildungsroman" is of German origin, derived from two German words: "Bildung" and "Roman".
1. "Bildung" means "education", "formation", or "development" in German. It stems from the verb "bilden", meaning "to form" or "to shape". It often refers to the personal, intellectual, and moral development of an individual.
2. "Roman" translates to "novel" in German, coming from the Latin word "romānus", meaning "of Rome". In literary terms, "Roman" refers to a narrative or fictional prose work.
When combined, "bildungsroman" literally means "formation novel" or "novel of education". It signifies a genre of literature that focuses on the protagonist's psychological, moral, or intellectual development from childhood to adulthood.
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