The Anatomy of the Novel

202 Pages·2013·2.74 MB·English

by  Marjorie Boulton

Routledge Revivals
The Anatomy of the Novel
First published in 1975, this title provides an introduction to the
study of the novel. Marjorie Boulton deals systematically with the
major elements of plot, character, authorial conventions, narrative
structure, and dialogue and distinguishes different types of fiction. The
emphasis is on the mainstream novel, with examples and arguments
illustrated by quotations from five classics. Of particular value to stu-
dents of English Literature, this reissue aims to help the reader ‘not
only to read novels more discerningly and to discuss them more prof-
itably, but also to relish the reading more’.
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The Anatomy of the Novel
Marjorie Boulton
I
Routledge
Cl Taylor & Francis Group
Firstpublishedin1975
byRoutledge&KeganPaulLtd
Thiseditionfirstpublishedin2013byRoutledge
2ParkSquare,MiltonPark,Abingdon,Oxon,OX144RN
SimultaneouslypublishedintheUSAandCanada
byRoutledge
711ThirdAvenue,NewYork,NY10017
RoutledgeisanimprintoftheTaylor&FrancisGroup,aninformabusiness
©1975MarjorieBoulton
TherightofMarjorieBoultontobeidentifiedasauthorofthisworkhasbeen
assertedbyherinaccordancewithsections77and78oftheCopyright,Designs
andPatentsAct1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or
utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now
knownor hereafterinvented,includingphotocopyingandrecording,orin any
informationstorageorretrievalsystem,withoutpermissioninwritingfromthe
publishers.
Publisher’sNote
Thepublisherhasgonetogreatlengthstoensurethequalityofthisreprintbut
pointsoutthatsomeimperfectionsintheoriginalcopiesmaybeapparent.
Disclaimer
The publisher has made every effort to trace copyright holders and welcomes
correspondencefromthosetheyhavebeenunabletocontact.
ALibraryofCongressrecordexistsunderLCcontrolnumber:75324097
ISBN13:978-0-415-72232-2(hbk)
ISBN13:978-1-315-85831-9(ebk)
THE ANATOMY OF
THE NOVEL
MARJORIE BOULTON
ROUTLEDGE & KEGAN PAUL
London and Boston
Firstpublishedin 1975
by Routledge & Kegan Paul Ltd
Broadway House, 68-74 Carter Lane
London EC4V 5EL and
9Park Street,
Boston, Mass. 02108, USA
Set in Monotype Bembo
andprintedin Great Britain by
Ebenezer Baylis & Son Ltd
The Trinity Press, Worcester, andLondon
© Marjorie Boulton 1975
No part ofthis book may be reproduced in
anyform withoutpermissionfrom the
publisher, exceptfor the quotation ofbrief
passages in criticism
ISBN 0 7100 8135 9 (C)
ISBN 0 7100 8136 7 (P)
For
CONSTANCE ANNE MORETON
who could have read more novels
ifshe had not given so much
ofher life to caring for
other people
with love
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CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION page lX
I THE CONCEPT OF FICTION I
2 VERISIMILITUDE IS
3 THE POINT OF VIEW 29
4 PLOT 45
5 CHARACTER 71
6 HOW CHARACTER IS REVEALED 88
7 CONVERSATION 102
8 SCENE AND BACKGROUND 125
9 DOMINANT THEMES 140
10 OFF THE BEATEN TRACK 146
NOTES 171
SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER READING 176
INDEX 179