what is picaresque novel? Explain its silent features
Answers
Still, some features are generally accepted as distinct characteristics of the picaresque, including a loose, episodic structure; a rogue-hero (the picaro) who is on the move and goes through a series of encounters with representatives of a hostile and corrupt world; a first-person narrative; and a satirical approach
The picaresque novel (Spanish: picaresca, from pícaro, for "rogue" or "rascal") is a genre of prose fiction that depicts the adventures of a roguish, but "appealing hero", of low social class, who lives by his or her wits in a corrupt society. Picaresque novels typically adopt a realistic style, with elements of comedy and satire.
salient features:
(i) It has a picaro or a semi-criminal as its central figure, to shift for himself early in life.
(ii) The plot consists of a series of thrilling events only loosely connected together by the fact that the same central character figures in them all.
(iii) The plot is episodic, and the insider thrilling or sensational.
(iv) There is immense variety-social setting of incident and of character.
(v) A picture of contemporary society is thus presented realistically and completely.
(vi) The novelist may satirize various faults of character or the corruption of society, but his purpose is to entertain and delight.
(vii) He is not concerned, to any great extent, with moral issues. The picaresque novel is not moral in its intention.