The modern novel reflects the scientific, technological, and ideological developments of the late 19th and 20th centuries. It presents a realistic but subjective view of the world from the perspective of individual characters. Modern novels are also psychological, exploring hidden motives influenced by Freudian theory, and use techniques like stream of consciousness. Additionally, modern novels often abandon linear plots and chronological order, reflecting a sense of pessimism that replaced 19th century optimism. Some major modern novelists mentioned are Thomas Hardy, D.H. Lawrence, James Joyce, and Virginia Woolf.

1. THE MODERN NOVEL

2.  Novel written in modern times-the twentieth century and the end of
nineteenth century.
 Reflects aspiration, concerns, fears, way of thinking as well as artistic and
literary taste of the modern era.
 The modern scientific discoveries, the new technologies, the social and
political ideologies, the ideas and the beliefs, and people’s different
conceptions about themselves and about the universe at large found
their way in the modern novel.

3. Characteristics of the modern novel.
 Modern novel is realistic and presents a frank image of the world and all
aspects of human experience but abandons the realism of nineteenth century
where only the sordid aspects of life are depicted.
 Modern novel is subjective, presenting the world from perspective of individual
character, reflecting his or her biases or distorted vision. A relativistic
perception of reality replaces the objective views of whole community.
 Morality is relative.
 Modern novel is psychological. Under the influence of the modern theories of
Sigmund Freud, modern novel tends to reveal the hidden inner motives behind
people’s actions.

4.  The technique of the stream of consciousness reflects the character’s
jumbled flow of perceptions, memories and feelings.
 A break with linear, developmental, cause and effect presentation of
the reality and with the chronological order of the plot make a large
number of modern novels.
 The impact of the two world wars has left its mark on modern art and
literature. A deep sense of pessimism has replaced the nineteenth
century optimism.

5. Major Novelists
 First major novelist of modern period is Thomas Hardy whose
best works include Tess of the D’Urbervilles, Far from the
Madding Crowd and Jude the Obscure.
 D. H. Lawrence wrote with understanding about social life
of lower and middle class. His works include Sons and Lovers
and The Rainbow.
 James Joyce is best known for Ulysses, a land mark work
where Joyce utilizes the stream of consciousness.
 Viginia Woolf was an influential feminist and associated with
the stream of consciousness. Her novels include Mrs.
Dalloway, To the light house.