A generational novel in modern German literature

Abstract

Aim. The article deals with the study of generational novel as a specific kind of the novel, its formation and development. The actual aim of the article is to study basic scholars’ papers about generational novel and to discover its important characteristics.

Methods. The research is based on comparative-historical and structurally-typological approaches that helped to reveal the specificity of the chronotopical organization of the generational novel and to show the patterns of the formation of this genre.

Results. The research reveals fundamental tendencies of the development of the generational novel as a kind of the genre variation and its difference from the family novel. The research shows that modern generational novel – at least, is a novel about three generations of one family and relationships inside of these families. At first glance, it looks like the generational novel and family novel is the same. Both genre kinds describe a private life of people. But, the family novel is such a novel about formation of one family and importance of family values. The generational novel is the story of several generations as a part of Great history, that can renew its course. Every generation has different explanation of history, that is why key notions in our research are «generation», «memory» and «history».

Scientific novelty. Despite the topicality of the problem of the generational novel and problems connected with it and the existing works, the theme is not analyzed enough. This leads to the research of this topic.

Pactical significance. The article can be used for further research of generational novels. And results of scientific research can provide the basis for writing course papers and diploma papers.