Understanding the accurate definitions of words is essential in academic writing to guarantee effective communication of concepts. However, some students might misuse common words without realizing what they truly mean. In academic settings where technical terms are common, not knowing the true meaning of a word can cause confusion. This article thoroughly breaks down the etymology, definition, and proper usage of the word “Bildungsroman.”
Definition of “Bildungsroman”
A “Bildungsroman” is a literary genre that focuses on the psychological and moral growth of the protagonist from youth to adulthood. The term is derived from German, where “Bildung” means education or formation, and “Roman” means novel. This genre is often referred to as a “coming-of-age” novel, as it follows formal guidelines on structure and plot.
Use of “Bildungsroman” in a sentence
When you use the word “Bildungsroman” in a sentence, it primarily functions as a noun. This foreign term describes a popular genre among bibliophiles, or book lovers, in the world of literature. The Bildungsroman classifies as a specific type of coming-of-age literature, as it addresses universal themes of growth, struggles, and eventual self-actualization that resonate with readers at various stages of life. They usually follow the structure of a specific disruption of the protagonist‘s life, followed by a journey or new experiences, a conflict, or struggle, and end with character development. Popular book examples of this genre that focus on the psychological and moral growth of the protagonist are “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, “Harry Potter” by J. K. Rowling, “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott, and “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins.
Examples
- Her latest manuscript is a Bildungsroman that vividly charts a young protagonist’s journey.
- The protagonist in the Bildungsroman goes from naivety to wisdom.
- Many critics regard “Great Expectations” by C. Dickens as a quintessential Bildungsroman.
How to spell “Bildungsroman” correctly
The term “Bildungsroman” originated from the combination of two German words; “Bildung,” meaning “education” and “Roman,” referring to novels. Thus, a Bildungsroman is a novel of education. Since the noun is a loanword borrowed directly from German, where it is usually capitalized, it often retains capitalization in its original language usage. It’s very common to encounter “Bildungsroman” with a capital “B,” but many writers use it in lowercase as well.
If you want to respect the German rules of noun capitalization, then you are free to do so. Loanwords are typically written in lowercase, unless they’re titles or names. Though many loanwords undergo some adaptation to fit the phonetic systems of the host language, such as the German word “kindergarten,” the Japanese word “sushi,” and the French word “ballet.” Essentially, it’s important to be consistent in the rules you follow.
Correct spelling
bildungsroman
Bildungsroman
Wrong spelling
buildungsroman
FAQs
Bildungsroman literally translated to “novel of education.” The term represents a category of genre that focuses on a protagonist’s journey from childhood to adulthood, as it illuminates psychological and moral growth.
A popular example of a Bildungsroman is the Percy Jackson book series by Rick Riordan.
They’re often used interchangeably, yet the Bildungsroman follows formal and thematic guidelines on structure, plot, and point of view by focusing on psychological and moral development. A coming-of-age story is a broader term used to describe young protagonists as they discover the world and find their identity.
A Bildungsroman generally follows four key phases:
- The cataclysmic event that disrupts their previous way of life.
- The journey, either literal to new places or metaphorical to new experiences.
- The conflict or struggle as they encounter further obstacles they have to adapt to.
- The development and maturity phase that signifies the end of their internal and external struggles.
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