What is a bildungsroman?
A novel that details the personal growth and development of a protagonist as they transition from adolescence to adulthood.
Bildungsroman: The Coming-of-Age Novel
A bildungsroman is a type of novel that focuses on the growth and development of a protagonist from childhood to adulthood. The term bildungsroman comes from the German words 'bildung,' meaning 'education,' and 'roman,' meaning 'novel.' It is often referred to as a coming-of-age novel.
Bildungsroman novels typically involve the protagonist's search for their own identity and place in society. They face a variety of challenges and conflicts that help them grow and mature emotionally, intellectually, and morally. The novel follows the protagonist's journey as they transition from innocence and naivety to understanding and self-awareness.
Some examples of popular bildungsroman novels include 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee, 'The Catcher in the Rye' by J.D. Salinger, and 'Great Expectations' by Charles Dickens. These novels not only depict the growth and development of their protagonists but also explore larger social and cultural issues of their time.
Here are two examples of how the bildungsroman genre is used in literature.
Harper Lee's 'To Kill a Mockingbird' is a bildungsroman novel that follows the life of Scout Finch as she grows up in the racist South and learns about the importance of standing up for justice and equality.
J.D. Salinger's 'The Catcher in the Rye' is a classic coming-of-age novel that explores the inner turmoil and growth of teenage protagonist Holden Caulfield as he navigates the complexities of adulthood.