Essay on Historical Novel
UNIT V
NOVEL
HISTORICAL NOVEL
Introduction
A novel in which the
characters, setting and actions are based on the records of a locality, a
nation or a people. Although history has always been used in fiction, the
historical novel, as such, did not appear until well into the eighteenth
century. Among the well-known writers of historical novels are Sir Walter
Scott, William Makepeace Thackeray and Charles Rede.
1. Introduction
Historical novel is a
narrative which utilizes history to present an imaginative reconstruction of
events, using either fictional or historical personages or both. While
considerable latitude is permitted to the historical novelist, he generally
attempts, sometimes aided by considerable research, to recreate, with some
accuracy the pageantry and drama of the events he deals with.
The historical novel is
based on the historical facts out all that is described in a historical novel
may not be exactly true. It is not easy to write historical novel. The
historical novel writer has to consult authentic history looks before taking up
writing. Historical facts are rather dry and not so pleasant to read. The
historical novelist colours the dry fact of history with his creative imagination.
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The novel is set
in a past historical period. Through the imaginative recreation of the past,
historical novels add colour to the events of the bygone age and bring them to
life.
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The people cast
in the historical novel may be both real and imaginary character. Historical
personage may play either a major or a minor part in the novel.
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Authors of
historical novels extensively research the period they intend to narrate. They
pay attention to minute details regarding manners, food habits, customs, and
other social aspects that were prevalent during the age.
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Close attention
is paid to the historical events of time, which are usually incorporated into
the plot.
Sir Walter Scott, whose Waverly Novels consist of twenty-seven novels, pioneered the writing of the historical novel. Few novelists before him had attempted to write historical fiction. Horace Walpole, Clara Reeve and Mrs. Radcliffe were concerned in their historical romances. But none of them created historical realism. It was Scott who first of all, possessed a feeling for historical realism in his Waverley Novels. He combined the elements of real life with elements of the wonder from old romance, and, thus created a new synthesis of historical romance.
His
treatment of history is not entirely accurate. He often takes liberties with
facts and alters them. "But in general, Writes W.H. Hudson "he was
marvelously successful in reproducing at least the externals of periods which
he describes, in giving us a vivid sense of their men and manners, and in
breathing life into the dry bones of history". Scott created the
historical novel, and all novelists who draw upon history for their characters
and events are his followers and acknowledge his mastery. The Heart of Midlothian, Ivanhoe, Kenilworth, Rob Roy and The Talisman are some of Scott's
historical novels.
Many novels with
historical background and personalities were written after Scott. The examples
include The Three Musketeers by
Alexander Dumas, A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy, , Claudius and the "Empire of the Moghul by Alex Rutherford,
to name a few. In the 20th century the historical fiction gradually began to
disappear paving way for adventure stories.
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