The criteria that needs to be considered for the winning novel, includes a wide variety of theories, debates and critical writings that together will give an informed and balanced decision. An instinctive judgment would be to view the book cover and the précis of the plot; and then from a personal perspective ask if it would be likely to entice the reader. However, this narrows ones thought process; also an instinctive judgement is based on ones past personal experience, which will ensure that each reader would then have a different view. In order to ensure a balanced and informed view within this essay the impact of the aesthetic theory, which is a view that argues how effective concepts, theories and debates are in explaining and predicting outcomes within literature. Within the aesthetic theory judgements, values and taste are given as views; each individual has the right to have a view that is developed through personal experiences. I will also be discussing the conflict of popular literature, which can be argued is popular due to the amount of novels sold, or due to the readers being able to identify with the novel. Versus the canonical theory which is said to be
Literary works judged to be worthy of academic study (Johnson P.210).
The best novel of the twentieth century is a huge accolade and I have a limited number of words in which I have to debate which chosen novel should win The Pryer Literary Prize. There are centuries of literary history that precede this prize and therefore the literary canon needs to be considered. One needs to consider if either chosen novel fits into the literary canon by asking if future generations will read the it; do they measure up to other canonical works by twentieth century auth...
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...had been introduced. There is no political propaganda in the novel that ensured my considered opinion did not differ from my instinctive opinion. I consider that this book could be read by anyone in isolation from the other novels within the trilogy and could still be enjoyed. It was the first novel that I had read about the First World War that was told from the human and personal view, rather than the military view with considered facts and figures. Although Paradise came a close second for me, I felt that this was more of a template novel; although the novel had ticked all the required boxes for a literary prize and perhaps because of this Paradise somehow lacked the sensitivity of The Ghost Road and failed to engage me in the same way. Of course another reader could consider the same criteria chosen by myself and come to a completely different conclusion.
Everyday we observe people’s contrasting opinions. Whether it be in politics, school, or in one’s personal life, emotions are often a major factor when it comes to expressing one’s ideas. In writing, an audience must be aware this, and decide for themselves if an author is being bias or equally representing all sides to a situation. In both Into the Wild and In Cold Blood, the authors form distinct opinions about their main characters and believe family structure heavily influenced their future.
The world of English Literature captures the minds of millions of people worldwide. The stories that are read are new and old and continue to capture the attention of people even to this day. Each piece of literature can go in-depth into settings, themes, characterizations, have great styles and the thing most people enjoy... conflict. Most people don't understand or see the messages these pieces may have in them. Hidden sometimes within complex statements or meanings that the everyday person might not recollect. These "treasures" are waiting to be found and are gold waiting to be found.
In our contemporary civilization, it is evident that different people have somewhat different personalities and that novels behold essential and key roles in our daily lives; they shape and influence our world in numerous ways via the themes and messages expressed by the authors. It is so, due to the different likes of our population, that we find numerous types and genres of books on our bookshelves, each possessing its own audience of readers and fans. In this compare and contrast essay, we will be analysing and comparing two novels, The Chrysalids and Animal Farm, and demonstrating how both books target the general audience and not one specific age group or audience of readers. We will be shedding light at the themes and messages conveyed to us in both books, the point of view and the style of writing of the authors as well as the plot and the format used by the authors, in order to demonstrate how both books are targeting the general audience.
Finally, looking at the factors involved in success. The set books used in his essay are Pullman (1995) Northern Lights and Ransom (2001) Swallows and Amazons. Critics view the books by Pullman and Ransom as examples of literary excellence. In order to evaluate this opinion it is necessary to discuss what aspects critics
An example of literature is brought up, where for no apparent reason the historical novel became a popular genre and everyone was reading and writing them despite the fact that the genre had been around for a very long time. He used this example to give a concrete example if his idea, and it appeals to the audience’s
This reader’s rating for this book is average. It is a very well written book but it may not appeal to some people. If the reader was familiar with the war then this would be a wonderful book to read. This reader thought it was interesting but not as enthralling as it should be. The book was mainly made out of quotes or dialogue from the men in the war. This was a very different way of writing but it was interesting. Many of the veterans had interesting stories to tell and how it felt like to be in the war. Overall it was a book to consider if you’re into war stories.
This isn't exactly like one of your swaggering tale of conquer and triumph that is so often sought by the people who think war is thrilling rather it actually unveils all the dirt and forlorn that takes place behind the scene that makes it all the more ugly as condemnable. It is really hard not to relate to this book as the horror which it unleashes is still a part of our lives. The play of death and chance
All quiet On the Western Front, a book written by Erich Maria Remarque tells of the harrowing experiences of the First World War as seen through the eyes of a young German soldier. I think that this novel is a classic anti-war novel that provides an extremely realistic portrayal of war. The novel focuses on a group of German soldier and follows their experiences.
I frankly confess that I have, as a general thing, but little enjoyment of it, and that it has never seemed to me to be, as it were, a first-rate literary form. . . . But it is apt to spoil two good things – a story and a moral, a meaning and a form; and the taste for it is responsible for a large part of the forcible-feeding writing that has been inflicted upon the world. The only cases in whi...
Whether or not we know it, we as people are very picky, and opinionative. In everyday life as humans, we pick and choose things based on preferred criteria. Based on the features of the world around us we have become biased on the things, that do, and do not meet our criteria. Being the opinionative people we are, we set criterion for even the literature we read. Just as the world around us, books have unique characteristics that we either enjoy or could care less for. In the following paragraphs I will evaluate the stories “Blowing up on the spot” and “Virgo” and will compare them to what I feel they need. I will provide my own set of criteria for the short stories “Blowing up on the spot” and “Virgo” stating my likes and dislikes for the two stories and explain why I felt
Carlsen, G. Robert. Insights Themes in Literature. New York: Webster Division, McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1967.
Guerin, Wilfred L., et.al. A Handbook of Critical Approaches to Literature. New York: Oxford University Press, 1992.
Despite the novel being a recipient of a few different awards it is not without criticism. One rather
There are billions of books in the world, all with different plots and styles. However, the one thing they all have in common is that they all have literary devices. A literary device is any technique a writer uses to help the reader understand and appreciate the meaning of the work. Due to the use of these devices, books that would otherwise have nothing in common can be compared. For instance, the books Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift, and If I Stay by Gayle Forman have different plots and themes. But when both are examined closely, it is evident that they utilize many different and similar literary devices.
Narratology divides a ‘narrative into story and narration’. (Cohan et al., 1988, p. 53) The three main figures that contribute a considerable amount of research to this theory are Gerard Genette, Aristotle and Vladimir Propp. This essay will focus on how Emily Bronte’s novel Wuthering Heights can be fully appreciated and understood when the theory is applied to the text. Firstly, I will focus on the components of narration Genette identifies that enhance a reader’s experience of the text. Secondly, I will discuss the three key elements in a plot that Aristotle recognises and apply these to Heathcliff’s character. In the final section I will apply part of the seven ‘spheres of action’, Propp categorises, to Heathcliff’s character. However, not all of Narratology can be applied to a text. This raises the question; does this hinder a readers understanding and/or appreciation of the text? This paper will also address this issue.