Summary of literary texts and key concepts of literature

    Bildungsroman and Picaresque narrative, both are types of novels. Though, these two literary genres may appear to be the same and they have some similar features, but they are two distinct literary terms.   Bildungsroman can be loosely defined as formation novel or education novel. The term is of German origin. Generally, this particular type of novel deals with the account of a youthful development of the protagonist. It can be seen as a journey of the protagonist who finally achieves maturity, through the various ordeals of life. The story of the novel mainly focuses on the development of the protagonist’s mind and character, through varied experiences, and after undergoing spiritual crisis resulting in a successful recognition of self-identity.   Picaresque Novel emerged in the 16 th century in Spain. ‘Picaro’ is a Spanish word which means rogue. It narrates the story of a knave or picaroon, who lives by his wit, but lives a servile life and works for multiple masters. The

  The painters of the ancient era had a clear perception of real life and the nature of human suffering. They were well aware of the fact that common people are least bothered about the suffering of the great entities. This nonchalance and indifference on the part of the common people have been minutely portrayed by famous painters of the ancient ages. These painters have also reflected in their paintings, how people go on with their daily chores, while great incidents are happening right in front of them and people are suffering terribly when these tragedies befall them. Great souls are undergoing excruciating pain, the ordinary folks concentrate on dull duties without paying any heed to them. The poet takes three instances from three famous paintings of Pieter Brueghel, naming, The Census at Bethlehem , The Massacre of the Innocents, and Landscape with the Fall of Icarus .   In the poem, from line 3 to 8 , the poet describes the scene of the painting, The Census at Bethlehem

    About the poet: Wystan Hugh Auden ( 1907-1973) is considered one of the leading poets of the thirties.Among his best known poems,   "Funeral Blues"; which is based on the theme of love,   "September 1, 1939" on political and social themes,   and "The Shield of Achilles";   , The Age of Anxiety; based on cultural and psychological themes and on "For the Time Being" and "Horae Canonicae" religious themes .His work was inspired by the oeuvre of great literary figures like Hopkins and Eliot. The hollowness of the disintegrating, post war civilization , was also one of the major themes explored by Auden. He was an advocate of communism as well as Marxism. He revives the old concept that a writer is a professional craftsman who teaches and entertains, rather than expressing his personality which again contradicts the ‘egotistic sublime’ of the romantic poets. On the poem: This poem is a typical poem which on one hand, focuses on