Could you name and discuss major trends in the development of contemporary novel?

Introduction about postmodern approach

 To give Postmodernism a definition would be against the ideas of Postmodernism; it

is neither a movement nor a style
 Late 20th century
 Response to modernism/enlightenment
 Associated with destruction
 Questions the idea of truth
 Direct relationship with author and reader
 Deconstructing common structures in society
 Makes reader aware of the fiction they are reading
 Mixes real historical events with fiction
 More careless approach to situations
 Importance of choice and free will
 Thinking outside the box
 Reliance on narrative techniques
 Implements
o Irony/parody
o Unreliable narrator
o Black humor
o Paranoia
o Intertextuality
o Pastiche – process of intertwining multiple genres together in one work
o Metafiction – writing about writing
o Fragmentation – interruption of sequence and information, resembling
chaotic nature of the universe

Metafiction and playing with conventions

“The French Lieutenant’s Woman” John Fowles

“Rosencrantz…”

Postcolonial themes

“Wild Sargasso Sea” Jean Rhys

“My son the Fanatic” Hanif Kureishi

Intertextuality

“Bloody Chamber” Angela Carter

“Wild Sargasso Sea”

“Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead” Tom Stoppard

Women writing, feminist themes

“Bloody Chamber” Angela Carter

Own-voice novels

“My son…”

“The hate you give” Angie Thomas

Playing with narration

“Ulysses” James Joyce

“Mrs. Dalloway” Virginia Wolf