TYPES OF NOVEL - DOMESTIC

 

Domestic novel denotes a type of novel in which the plot centres on domestic affairs that concern a small group of friends, relatives or acquaintances. Domestic novels represent the first type of novel indeed any form of literary writing in which women truly outshone men. The early years of the 19^th century when the romantic revival movement was at its peak, marks the time during which domestic novels reached the heyday of their popularity. This of course was largely due to the fact that Jane Austen, widely identified to be the greatest domestic novelist in the annals of English literature, lived and wrote her works at the time. Her novels Sense and Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park (1814) and Emma (1815) are regarded as some of the most celebrated achievements in this genre.

 

1.       Unlike most varieties of fiction, the protagonist of a domestic novel is invariably a woman, who is essentially portrayed as exemplifying one of two types. The angel typically someone sweet-tempered and sensitive, and the practical female someone characteristically prudent and self-assured. It is however noteworthy that both types of heroines angelic or practical take active charge of their lives, refusing to be coerced by others. Often the other female characters in the plot are portrayed as epitomising a striking contrast to the protagonist, in that they are shown to be passive, incompetent and ignorant. The obvious purpose of their portraiture is to highlight the stand out quality of the heroine.

 

2.       The novel would be typically set in a provincial small town or country where people lead close knit lives, frequently organising get together activities as tea parties and ball dancing. These events provide them a much needed opportunity to socialise among themselves and more importantly with visitors from outside. Considering the fact that they live far away from the metropolis, and therefore remain unaffected mostly by the grand social occurrences, these events tend to carry a great deal of significance for the characters, as the only source of distraction and entertainment in what is otherwise an uneventful existence.

 

3.       Characters would be invariably drawn from the upper middle and gentry classes, which naturally implies that emphasis would be placed on manners and customs. Most often than not, characters would be shown in a positive or negative light on the back of how they conduct themselves, and measure up to the codes in place. Typically, those characters projected favourably would be shown as exhibiting social traits that elicit respect and admiration, while those meant to be cast disadvantageously are fashioned as hypocritical, silly and exaggerated in their bearing.

 

4.       The main thematic focus of the novel would be invariably love culminating in marriage. This might take two forms, one in which the heroine loves and marries a man whose noble qualities are noticed and approved from the start, or alternatively a man mistaken to be vain and not so endearing at first but is subsequently revealed to be noble. Either way the plot would primarily focus on the heroine, particularly how she attains emotional maturity and fulfilment through the many ups and downs she experiences in the course of her relation to her man.