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The Role Of Bildungsroman In Literature

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This genre is concerned with self-fulfillment and socialization. The protagonist is actually or metaphorically orphaned. Of bildungsroman’s important elements is the theme of identity as it focuses on the psychological and moral development of the protagonist. It shows the conflict of generation, alienation, ordeal by love and a working philosophy (Söder), and the question of finding a place in society(Iversen 69) . The genre was acclaimed in Europe to the extent that many writers produced bildungsroman novels such as Charles Dickens’s Great Expectations and Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre (which show the development of both protagonists). However, the English version of the genre involves a new element, viz., the move of the protagonist from …show more content…

Moretti saw that European literary canon developed what he termed late bildungsroman, only to be developed into counter-bildungsroman of which famous examples is William Golding’s Lord of the Flies where some children are actually in charge …show more content…

First, the protagonist grows from child to adult. As shown above, Yûsuf (Joseph) grew as a favored child by his father and much envied by the rest of his brothers. When he was seventeen or so, and after he had had his dreams that foretold his greatness, his brothers decided to get rid of him. Second, the protagonist starts his journey as his brothers threw him in a well and he was bought by the water-drawer and was away from his family. Third, the process of maturation is long, gradual and arduous, involving repeated conflicts between the protagonist’s needs and desires and society. Yûsuf (Joseph) had had hard times from the moment he was sold into slavery to Potiphar who put Joseph in charge of his household. Then, he was charged of Seducing Potiphar's wife and put in jail for years. Fourth, eventually, the protagonist is accommodated into the society. Yûsuf was proven innocent and, for his exceptional wisdom, was awarded the position of prime minister. The story/ sûrah ends with the protagonist's/ Yûsuf’s (Joseph’s) assessment of himself and his new place in that society after the accomplishment of his aim. He thanks Allah for awarding him that position for teaching him wisdom and interpretation. Finally, he asks Allah to let him die as a Muslim and let him join good ones. The bildungsroman highlights on dialogue to keep the reader’s attention focused on the

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