What is a story? The meaning of the word and its origin

There is a huge number of genres of narrative prose, among which there is a short story. We meet a lot of different stories and stories, and do not think about what a short story is. And even more so, how it happened and when.

Meaning of the word. Period of occurrence

What does the word "short story" mean ? It is a narrative prose genre that once included poetic pieces. The novel is characterized by a neutral style of exposition, an acute and dynamic plot, short narration, an unexpected denouement. It lacks psychologism. Sometimes used as a synonym for the story. In some cases it is a variety. At the beginning of the XIX century, the novel appears in prose in Europe and America (everywhere). It influences the novel, which at that time was still developing, especially noticeable in Russia.

The origin of the prosaic genre

The meaning of the word "novella" takes its origins in an anecdote, a fable and a fairy tale. It differs from the anecdote in the plot, in the novel it is sentimental or tragic, but not at all comic. In it there is no edification or allegory, as, for example, in the fable. From the fairy tale novella is distinguished by the absence of magic elements. However, in some cases they still occur, in most cases in the eastern narratives and are perceived as something amazing.

Even in the Renaissance, everyone knew what a short story was. Even then, its specific features were determined: unexpected twists of fate in the life of the hero, unusual incidents, acute dramatic conflict. As Goethe wrote: "Novella is an accident that occurred quite by accident."

Of course, with each literary epoch, a special imprint was imposed on this genre. In the era of romanticism, the plot of the stories was mystical, it was impossible to draw a line between reality and a fairy tale ("Sand Man").

Novella without psychology and philosophy

Actually, what is a short story? There is a lot of information on this subject. As always, in such cases, if it grows, it becomes problematic. Novella avoided philosophy and psychologism even before the establishment of realism in literature. To learn the inner world of the hero could be through his actions and actions. In the novel there was no descriptiveness, the author never expressed his opinion.

When realism began to develop, this genre with its classic samples practically disappeared. However, realism in the XIX century could not exist without psychology and descriptiveness. At this time, the novel is superseded by other types of short narrative, among them the story (especially in Russia) is in the first place. For a long time the story existed as a kind of small story.

The structure of the novel

So, we figured out what a short story is - the main genre of small narrative prose. The authors of such works are called novelists, the collection of stories is called novelty. Narration is a more concise form of artistic prose, unlike a novel or a novel. Novella is a part of the folklore genres of the oral paraphrase in the form of a parable. The story has only one story line (with the presence of some problem) and several heroes (in comparison with more detailed narrative forms).

The structure of the novel is as follows: the outset, the culmination and the denouement. Romantics of the early XIX century admired the story in an unexpected turn of events. They were attracted by the sharpness, and sometimes the dynamic nature of the plot.

In the stories of some authors, one can notice a cyclization. Here's a vivid example. The novel is published in the periodical. After that, the works accumulated for a certain period are published in a separate book, as a result, a whole collection of stories is obtained.