Bildungsroman has been my favorite literary term for a long time.
I don't remember having a favorite before bildungsroman. I like other terms, too, but not as much. Synechdoche is awfully good.
Bildungsroman is a German term used to describe a coming-of-age novel. Bildung means formation; roman means novel. Pronounced bill-dungs-rome-ahn.
It's my favorite for two reasons, at least at the moment. I might think of more reasons later.
First reason: I like saying it. It rolls off the tongue with a lovely combination of consonants and vowels and sounds so mysterious.
Second reason: The best essay I wrote in college for my beloved Dr. C. was about A Portrait of the Artist As A Young Man by James Joyce, which is a bildungsroman. I also structured the essay as a bildungsroman. Dr. C. always spoke with us students before we began writing (I'm sure it averted many catastrophes). He liked to see an outline.
He didn't think the bildungsroman approach would work for my essay. I assured him that it would. I had outlined ways to write it using other methods. I could see that the bildungsroman was the right way.
Fortunately, I was right. If I felt a bit better (I have an upset tummy), I'd dig out the essay from my files and share his comments on it with you. Sometimes when I'm sad I get out one of my old essays and read it. Dr. C's comments always make me feel better.
I got an A+. It was the beginning of a string of A pluses that lasted until I graduated.
Oh, my lovely Dr. C. He changed my life.
A Portrait of the Artist is in the #2 spot on my list of my favorite five. The Great Gatsby occupies first place. The Sound and The Fury is in third. It was also part of the late, great Faulkner's registered name. Officially, he was Faulkner of Sound and Fury. The dog of my life.
Do you have a list of favorite novels? Perhaps a favorite bildungsroman? I'll be surprised if you have a favorite literary term.
Some other examples of a bildungsroman include
- The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman, by Laurence Sterne (1759) --my favorite novel in the development of the early English novel
- Emma, by Jane Austen (1815) --my favorite Jane Austen novel
- Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë (1847)
- Martin Eden, by Jack London (1909) --I don't think Martin Eden is very well known; I quite like it.
- Of Human Bondage, by W. Somerset Maugham (1915) --such a good book
- Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston (1937) --how I love it! The main character is Janie.
- A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith (1943) --I've loved this novel for years; I encourage everyone to read it.
- The Cider House Rules by John Irving (1985) --my favorite John Irving book
- The Secret Life of Bees, by Sue Monk Kidd (2002)
Please tell us what your favorite bildungsroman is.
Infinities of love,
Janie Junebug
Two examples of a bildungsroman: could Boogie Nights and Anne of Green Gables be more different?
In high school I always dreaded the infamous Jane Austen novels. As I grew older, I've come to love them so much. I have read every Jane Austen novel that has been published and my favorite is still the cliche, Pride and Prejudice. A more modern book and my all time favorite is The Nightingale.
ReplyDeleteJane Austen is my favorite author. I adore Pride and Prejudice, but my favorite is Emma.
DeleteYou just taught me a new word, though I think (considering my always tripping up on German) I'll stick with coming-of-age. It's my favorite story arc, also.
ReplyDeleteSome words flow more easily than others. I'm surprised I can say bildungsroman.
DeleteI don't know if I have a favorite book but I have read several of the ones you mentioned. :)
ReplyDeleteYou don't need a favorite when practically every book you read is good.
DeleteI remember that I have read every book on the list, though I certainly could not tell you what many are about. Today I downloaded Little Dorrit to my MP3. I need soothing, right now.
ReplyDeleteI've never read Little Dorrit.
DeleteI am definitely using that word incorrectly tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteGo for it. It sounds cool.
DeleteBeen seeing your comments around for years, Janie Junebug. Time I read some posts. You sure write good. Following.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I'd like to follow you, too. What's your address, please?
DeleteI keep trying to come up with a recent coming-of-age book I've read, but can't. But the Anne of Green Gables series would definitely qualify as A Favourite, maybe even The Favourite. I seem to tend more toward novels with adults as the central characters.
ReplyDeleteYou're allowed to read the books that interest you the most, but if you ever need to use "bildungsrom," you'll pull it right out of your brain, use it, and impress hordes of people for months.
DeleteWhat a wonderful word!
ReplyDeleteTwo of my all-time favorites: Huck Finn and Catcher in the Rye.
Excellent choices.
DeleteThe Lord of the Rings. I suppose loads of adventure tales would qualify.
DeleteHe didn't think the bildungsroman approach would work for your essay... O rrrrrrrrreally?
ReplyDeleteO rrrrrrrreallllllly. The bildungsroman was blue, and he couldn't handle it.
ReplyDeleteI recently read Their Eyes Were Watching God. Loved it, too :)
ReplyDeleteSuch a great book.
DeleteDoes "poetic justice" count, Janie? I'd like to see some poetic justice served up on a certain occupant of the White House. And since I'm stretching it with poetic justice, I'll stretch it with bildungsroman as well and choose "The Lord of the Rings" with Frodo who comes of age in a way that can never be forgotten. I really enjoyed this post!
ReplyDeleteI think poetic justice counts. I'd like to see more of it, too.
Delete