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Bildungsroman - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

A bildungsroman is a novel that focuses on the psychological and moral growth of a protagonist from youth to adulthood, often depicting their personal development and life lessons.

bildungsroman

/ˈbɪldʊŋzroʊˌmɑn/ /ˈbɪldʊŋzrəʊˌmɑːn/

Definition:

A novel about the moral and psychological growth of the protagonist, often from youth to adulthood.

Synonyms:

coming-of-age novel, developmental novel, apprenticeship novel

Part of Speech:

noun

Antonyms:

static narrative, episodic tale

Common Collocations:

classic bildungsroman, modern bildungsroman, protagonist’s journey, literary genre, character development

Derivatives:

bildungsromane (plural), bildungsromanic (adjective)

Usage Tips:

Use 'bildungsroman' to describe novels focusing on a character’s personal growth and maturation over time.

Common Phrases:

coming-of-age story, journey of self-discovery, rites of passage

Etymology:

From German 'Bildung' (education) + 'Roman' (novel), coined in the early 19th century.

Examples:

  • 1. The bildungsroman follows the protagonist’s journey from innocence to experience.
  • 2. "To Kill a Mockingbird" is a classic American bildungsroman.
  • 3. Many readers relate to the struggles in a bildungsroman.
  • 4. The novel’s structure mirrors a traditional bildungsroman format.

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