Elements of a NovelThere are severa

Elements of a Novel

There are several elements, which build the edifice of a novel. All of these elements are integral parts of any novel. Without these elements, no writing work might be incorporated in the realm of a novel. Following are some of the elements of a novel:

Characterization in a Novel

Characterization is an essential element of a novel. It is the craft of creating characters in a novel or drama. The author unveils the personality of the character through characterization. There are two different types of characterization: Direct Characterization and Indirect Characterization. In direct characterization, the author straightforwardly lets us know about the identity of the character. He can make use of different descriptive words to expose the disposition of the character. Identity incorporates many things i.e., name, location, relationship, age , profession , mindset , behaviour , etc. . Look at the following examples:

He is undaunted, fearless and above all an honest man.

She is the queen of beauty and an embodiment of feminine virtue.


In the afore-mentioned lines, the modifiers applied undoubtedly uncover the identity of the character.

In indirect characterization, the author employs multiple techniques to bring out the personality of the character. He uses his behaviour, speech, action, and appearance to reveal the personality of the character. Take for example, the speech delivered by Antony after the murder of Julius Caesar in William Shakespeare’s tragedy Julius Caesar, entirely unwraps the unique personality of Antony. It shows us what sort of person he is. It indicates his capacity to motivate the people by his speech to rise in rebellion against the murderers of Julius Caesar. Likewise, soliloquies of Hamlet in William Shakespeare’s great tragedy Hamlet expose the personality of Hamlet. It shows us philosophical bent of mind of Hamlet. Take a look at his soliloquy, wherein the personality of Hamlet is clearly visible and understandable:

To be, or not to be, that is the question:

Whether 'tis Nobler in the mind to suffer

The Slings and Arrows of outrageous Fortune,

Or to take Arms against a Sea of troubles,

And by opposing end them: to die, to sleep

No more; and by a sleep, to say we end

The Heart-ache, and the thousand Natural shocks

That Flesh is heir to?

(Hamlet by Shakespeare)

In Jane Austen’s novels, she is using direct characterization to reveal her characters. Her characters reveal themselves through dialogues and actions, while George Eliot used indirect characterization to lay bare various traits of his characters. Both of these techniques assist the author to create his characters.

Every author needs to create a number of characters in his novel to help out him develop his story. These kinds are: Flat Characters and Round Characters. Flat characters are those characters, who don’t change throughout the story, while round characters are those characters, who change throughout the story. Round characters are of immense importance in any sort of novel. They are the one, who advance the story ahead.

It was E.M Forster, who distinguished the round characters from flat characters in his lecture Aspects of the Novel. Charles Dickens is a great example in this regard. He has presented many round and flat characters in his novels. Look at his novel Great Expectations, wherein Mr. Joe doesn’t change throughout the novel, while, Mr. Pip, who undergoes many changes, is certainly an exact example of round character. Mr. Pip forgets his humble origin and doesn’t want to meet Mr. Joe, who is his great friend and helper.