Coincidences in the Novel: Charlotte Brontë and George Eliot to Evelyn Waugh and David Nicholls

TL;DR

Coincidences in novels serve as a narrative tool to reveal connections and explore themes, though readers and writers have different attitudes towards them.

Transcript

• Hello, thanks for coming to this lecture, which will, I hope, uncover for you the key to all narratives, not just all novels, although I'm only going to be talking about novels today, and that is coincidence. If you want to know how a novel works, look at how it uses coincidence. And that's what we're going to do, we're going to look at how some ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🛟 Coincidences serve as a narrative tool to reveal connections and develop the plot in novels.
• 😒 Some readers and writers criticize the use of coincidences, as they may strain believability in a story.
• 🪜 Authors like Charles Dickens and Evelyn Waugh embrace coincidences to highlight interconnectedness and add complexity to their stories.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the role of coincidence in novels?

Coincidences serve as a narrative tool to reveal connections, develop the plot, and explore themes. They often bring characters together or reveal hidden relationships.

Q: Why do some readers and writers criticize the use of coincidence in novels?

Some believe that coincidences can be contrived and strain believability in a story. They argue that novels should adhere to the laws of probability and avoid relying heavily on coincidences.

Q: Which authors embrace the use of coincidences in their novels?

Charles Dickens and Evelyn Waugh are known for their use of coincidences in their novels. They see coincidences as a way to highlight the interconnectedness of characters and events.

Q: How do other authors employ coincidences more strategically?

Authors like George Eliot and Jane Austen use coincidences more sparingly and strategically. They often employ coincidences to reveal hidden connections or to add a surprising twist to the plot.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Novels often use coincidence to reveal connections and develop the plot.

• Coincidences can be seen as problematic in novels, with some readers and writers criticizing their use.

• Authors like Charles Dickens and Evelyn Waugh embrace coincidences, while others like George Eliot and Jane Austen employ them more strategically.