ELEMENTS OF THE NOVEL AND THEIR CHARACTERISTICS (WITH EXAMPLES) - LITERATURE - 2025

The elements of the novel are all the components that make the development of this narrative genre possible. In other words, they are the features that give depth and shape to the structure of the narrative text. Now, the novel is a type of literary expression that tells a real or imaginary story in order to entertain.

These elements allow the reader to know the actions, places and circumstances that accompany the protagonists throughout the story. The most relevant factors of a novel are: the characters, the facts and the environment, these in turn generate other components that make the story more complex.

The elements of the novel give solidity to this narrative genre. Source: pixabay.com.

On the other hand, the novel can be made up of some or additional features according to its content. In addition, the presence of the general components is minimized according to the message or the story that is told.

For example, a social novel puts aside the individual and focuses on the collective. The length and rhythm of the novel are closely related to the elements that make it up, since without them there would be no story to tell. However, the breadth and complexity of the novel will depend on the criteria and style of the author of the work.

Elements of the novel

The essential elements of a novel are the following:

- Characters

The characters are the ones who generate the story that is told in the novel, that is because they are the ones who carry out the actions and to whom the events or circumstances occur. However, they are also the ones who in many cases lead the story, because they can intervene as narrators.

On the other hand, the characters in a novel can be main or secondary, depending on their importance within the narrative, or also protagonists or antagonists depending on their psychological characteristics, behavior and the actions they carry out.

Necessarily every novelistic character goes through a process of evolution and change that originates in relation to the history and the events that he experiences. The following briefly describes the types of characters in a novel.

Main characters

The main characters are the protagonists of the story, they are responsible for the actions, decisions and most outstanding events of the novel. They are generally endowed with qualities that make them different from others and therefore attractive and interesting to the reading public.

Examples

The main characters in the novel Love in the Times of Cholera by Gabriel García Márquez are: Florentino Ariza and Fermina Daza.

In the Harry Potter saga, the main character is the wizard Harry Potter and the other main characters are Hermione Granger, Ron Wesley, Albus Dumbledore or Voldemort.

Secondary characters

These characters are closely linked to the history of the main characters, many times their experiences influence the life and decision-making of the protagonists.

Examples

Continuing with the example of Love in the Times of Cholera, the secondary characters are: Juvenal Urbino, Lorenzo Daza, Tránsito Ariza, Lotario Tughut and Tía Escolástica.

In the case of Harry Potter, the secondary characters would be Sirius Black, Severus Snape, Minerva McGonagall or Draco Malfoy.

Filler characters

This class of characters are not of importance within the story, their appearances or interventions are short-lived. In general, the filler characters tend to disappear in the development of the novel.

Examples

The filler characters of the aforementioned work by Gabriel García Márquez are: Jeremiah de Saint-Amour, América Vicuña, Olimpia Zuleta, Bérbara Lynch and the widow of Nazaret.

Some of the filler characters in the novel about magic and sorcery are Dobby, Lupine, the Dursley family or Neville Longbottom.

- Actions or facts

These elements are related to all the events and happenings that occur within the story. Generally, they are carried out by the characters who bring the narrative to life. Actions or events happen within a specific time and place.

The actions provide the novel with a narrative and evolutionary turn, by virtue of the fact that they generate problems and at the same time solve conflicts.

Examples

Fragment of Love in the time of cholera:

"He did not tell anyone that he was leaving, he did not say goodbye to anyone, with the iron secrecy with which he only revealed to his mother the secret of his repressed passion, but on the eve of the trip he consciously committed a last madness of the heart that it could well have cost him his life…

“… He put on his Sunday dress at midnight, and played alone under Fermina Daza's balcony, the love waltz he had composed for her, which only the two of them knew and which for three years was the emblem of their disgruntled complicity … ”.

Excerpt from Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone:

“When he got to the corner he noticed the first indication that something strange was happening: a cat was looking at a map of the city.

Don't apologize, my dear sir, because today nothing can bother me! Rejoice, because You-Know-Who is finally gone! Even Muggles like you should celebrate this happy day!

Good thing it's dark. I haven't blushed so much since Madam Pomfrey told me she liked my new earmuffs.

These people will never understand Harry! He will be famous… a legend… I wouldn't be surprised if today was known in the future as Harry Potter day! They will write books about Harry… every child in the world will know his name.

"Do you think… sensible… entrusting Hagrid with something as important as that?"

"To Hagrid, I would trust my life," said Dumbledore. "

- Environment or place

It is simply the space where the characters carry out their actions and the story unfolds. The environment can be real or imaginary, it can also vary according to the development of the narrative.

Examples

Continuing with García Márquez's novel, although it does not specify the name of a city or country, reference is made to various historical events that allow us to locate the story in the first decades of the 20th century in Colombia.

In the case of Harry Potter, the saga takes place in the 90s of the 20th century in London and nearby regions, where the magical world of wizards is present.

- Weather

This element of the novel refers to the duration of the story that is told, either in days, months or years. Time endows characters and events with constant change. This gives the story depth and complexity.

Example

Fragment of Love in the time of cholera:

"They ended up getting to know each other so much, that before the thirty years of marriage they were like the same divided being, and they felt uncomfortable with the frequency with which they guessed the thought without intending it… Life had yet to bring other mortal tests…".

In the case of Harry Potter, being a saga in which its protagonist is a pre-adolescent of school age, the story is told from year to academic year during his stay at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Elements of the adventure novel

The elements of the adventure novel are as follows:

Characters

He is usually one and is taken as a hero because of the way he faces circumstances.

Place

In the adventure novel, the environment where the protagonist performs his actions is usually an extraordinary landscape or out of the ordinary.

Actions

The actions of the main character are characterized by feats that require physical effort and enhance the character's abilities.

Plot

The plot within the adventure novel is more relevant than the psychological traits of the main character. This means that the way the story happens must be interesting and engaging enough to hold the reader's attention.

Weather

Time usually passes quickly and dynamically. The narration of the story takes place in hours or days.

Elements of the graphic novel

The main characters are a crucial element in the development of the plot of a novel. Source: pixabay.com.

Characters

In the graphic novel, the story usually revolves around a single character, it is from him that the events and evolutionary changes of the narrative arise.

Ambient

The atmosphere of the graphic novel is adjusted to the content of the story, that is, it can take place in a city, country, street, in an enclosed space or in a park. The colors of the design will be according to the author's style.

Framing

The graphic novel is a story that is told in images, therefore the framing or adjustment must be applied so that they have a proportionate size. Framing is applied the same as in film and television, that is, by means of shots, whether it is a detail shot, close-up, general shot or a large close-up.

Sandwiches

It refers to the dialogue boxes that simulate the conversation of the characters or the expressions of the narrator.

Onomatopoeia

Onomatopoeia in graphic novels are the sounds or noises that occur within the story.

Elements of the horror novel

Characters

The characters in the horror novel have psychological characteristics that determine their actions. They are usually subjects taken from the paranormal world, zombies, vampires or ghosts.

Ambient

The atmosphere is characterized by being gloomy and scary. The actions almost always take place in abandoned and aesthetically lacking spaces.

suspense

Suspense is an essential element in horror novels, because thanks to it the reader stays attentive to the narrative. It is present in prolonged times of silence or through the appearance of a mysterious character.

Mystery

The horror novel does not exist without the mystery, this occurs when a character or event breaks with the tranquility of everyday life.

Weather

Time within horror novels is marked by the irruption of the paranormal element. Their presence usually lasts from the beginning to the end of the narrative. Similarly, history can take place in the past, present or future.

Elements of the detective novel

Characters

It is usually represented by an investigator, journalist or police who are looking for clues to resolve some type of conflict or criminal act. The protagonist may have a right hand to help him find the suspect.

Investigation

It is the main motivation of the story by virtue of which it produces the actions that develop the narrative. At first it does not yield strong results, but makes the plot more interesting with each step that is taken to solve the case.

Tension

It is one of the main attractions of the detective novel because it generates the exchange of actions and ideas between the investigator and the investigated. The tension can be marked by murders, robberies, chases, arrests, interrogations or kidnappings.

Ambient

The atmosphere of the crime novel presents an atmosphere of constant tension and suspense, since any indication puts the characters on alert. On the other hand, actions can take place in any space or place, it is only necessary that there is a question or an aspect to investigate.

References

1. The novel and the elements that compose it. (2019). (N / a): Space books. Com. Recovered from: espaciolibros.com.
2. (2019). Spain: Wikipedia. Recovered from: es.wikipedia.org.
3. Álvarez, N. (2012). Horror novel. (N / a): The Novel. Recovered from: nicolas77alvarez.blogspot.com.
4. Perea, C. (2015). The six key elements for a novel. Spain: Caja D. Letras. Recovered from: cajadeletras.es.
5. Duarte, C. (2010). Place, time and action. (N / a): Moonstone. Writer's House. Recovered from: piedralunacasadelescritor.blogspot.com.