Question
Describe the features of Bengali novels in nineteenth century.
Solution
The features of Bengali novels in nineteenth century:
(i)In the nineteenth century, the early Bengali novels lived in two worlds. Many of these novels were located in the past, their characters, events and love stories based on historical events.
(ii)Another group of novels depicted the inner world of domestic life in contemporary settings. Domestic novels frequently dealt with the social problems and romantic relationships between men and women.
(iii)Besides the ingenious twists and turns of the plot and the suspense, the novel was also relished for its language.
(iv)The prose style became a new object of enjoyment. Initially the Bengali novel used a colloquial style associated with urban life.
(v)It also used meyeli, the language associated with women’s speech. This style was quickly replaced by Bankim’s prose which was Sanskritised but also contained a more vernacular style.
(i)In the nineteenth century, the early Bengali novels lived in two worlds. Many of these novels were located in the past, their characters, events and love stories based on historical events.
(ii)Another group of novels depicted the inner world of domestic life in contemporary settings. Domestic novels frequently dealt with the social problems and romantic relationships between men and women.
(iii)Besides the ingenious twists and turns of the plot and the suspense, the novel was also relished for its language.
(iv)The prose style became a new object of enjoyment. Initially the Bengali novel used a colloquial style associated with urban life.
(v)It also used meyeli, the language associated with women’s speech. This style was quickly replaced by Bankim’s prose which was Sanskritised but also contained a more vernacular style.
