Bildungsroman is a German word that is used to describe a novel that focuses on the growth and development of the protagonist. It is a genre that has been used by many authors to tell the story of a young person’s journey from childhood to adulthood.
Definitions
Bildungsroman is a novel that tells the story of a young person’s coming of age. It is a genre that focuses on the psychological and moral growth of the protagonist. The protagonist usually goes through a series of experiences that help them to mature and become an adult.
Origin
The term bildungsroman originated in Germany in the late 18th century. The word bildung means “education” or “formation,” and roman means “novel.” The genre became popular in Germany in the early 19th century and was later adopted by writers in other countries.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, bildungsroman is “a novel dealing with one person’s formative years or spiritual education.” Merriam-Webster defines it as “a novel about the moral and psychological growth of the main character.”
Associations
Bildungsroman is often associated with the Romantic period, as many writers of that time used the genre to explore the individual’s search for meaning in a rapidly changing world. It is also associated with the idea of the hero’s journey, as the protagonist goes through a series of trials and tribulations before achieving maturity.
Synonyms
Some synonyms for bildungsroman include coming-of-age novel, novel of education, and novel of development.
Antonyms
There are no direct antonyms for bildungsroman, as it is a specific genre of novel. However, some novels may be considered the opposite of bildungsroman if they focus on the stagnation or regression of the protagonist.
The same root words
The word bildung is also used in other German words, such as bildungsbürger (educated citizen) and bildungslücke (education gap). The word roman is also used in French to mean “novel.”
Example Sentences
- “Jane Eyre is a classic example of a bildungsroman, as it follows the growth and development of the protagonist from childhood to adulthood.”
- “The Catcher in the Rye is a bildungsroman that explores the moral and psychological growth of the protagonist.”
- “To Kill a Mockingbird is a bildungsroman that deals with issues of race and social justice.”
Bildungsroman is a genre of novel that focuses on the growth and development of the protagonist. It originated in Germany in the late 18th century and has since been used by writers around the world. The genre is often associated with the Romantic period and the hero’s journey. Examples of bildungsroman include Jane Eyre, The Catcher in the Rye, and To Kill a Mockingbird.