Hi, how to write a Bildungsroman?
Like in the course of a single book, say, Jane Eyre, or in the course of a series, say, Harry Potter.
(Does it have to be linear storytelling for it to be one? Or can I go back and forth with flashbacks, still covering all the important years of a human life, say childhood, adolescence, teen, new adult, adult, etc.?)
Asking anonymously because it feels like I should be knowing this already. 😭
Writing Notes: Bildungsroman
A novel dealing with one person's formative years or spiritual education.
The German word Bildungsroman means “novel of education” or “novel of formation.”
A literary genre that focuses on the psychological and moral growth of a protagonist from youth to adulthood.
This genre is a favorite among writers who enjoy delving deep into character development, tracing the emotional and intellectual journey of their protagonists.
A specific type of coming-of-age story in which the character gains knowledge and experience, even as innocence is lost.
The bildungsroman traditionally ends on a positive note, though its action may be tempered by resignation and nostalgia.
If the grandiose dreams of the hero’s youth are over, so are many foolish mistakes and painful disappointments, and, especially in 19th-century novels, a life of usefulness lies ahead.
In the 20th century and beyond, however, the bildungsroman more often ends in resignation or death.
J.D. Salinger’s “The Catcher in the Rye”
Charles Dickens’ “Great Expectations”
Typical Structure of a Bildungsroman
A typical 3-part structure:
The set-up, which introduces the protagonist, most often during his or her childhood.
Experiences that shape the protagonist's character, often culminating in some sort of spiritual crisis or loss of faith.
The protagonist reaches maturity, which usually involves them finding a sense of peace with themselves, or of belonging in the world.
Though this structure is not always used by writers of Bildungsromans exactly as described here, it is extraordinarily common for Bildungsromans.
Another Structure of a Bildungsroman
A Bildungsroman centers on the main character’s transformation to reach maturity. Here’s how the plot may unfold:
Loss: The protagonist experiences a profound emotional loss at the beginning of the story, typically during their childhood or adolescent formative years.
Journey: Inspired by their loss, the protagonist sets out on a journey, either physical or metaphorical, to find the answer to a big question and gain life experience that will help them better understand the world.
Conflict and personal growth: The protagonist’s path toward maturity is not an easy one. They make mistakes and are usually at odds with society. But as the story continues, the protagonist slowly accepts the ideals of society and society accepts them back.
Maturity: The protagonist demonstrates immense psychological growth, change, and maturity by the end of the novel. The story sometimes ends with them giving back and helping someone else on the path to maturity.
Common Features of a Bildungsroman
There are a slew of common characters, themes, and plot devices that authors historically have used when writing novels in the Bildungsroman genre. While no Bildungsroman has all of these features, a true Bildungsroman is likely to have at least one of them.
Common Supporting Characters in Bildungsromans
The Wicked Authority Figure
The Enchanting Same-Sex Friend
Common Themes in Bildungsromans
Common Plot Devices in Bildungsromans
Being "sent off" to boarding school, jail, hard labor, or a distant relative's house
Alienation from one's immediate family
Financial crises and/or "rags-to-riches"
Physical punishment and/or harsh living conditions
Fleeing, running away, and travel to an exotic land
Spiritual crises and encounters
Common Protagonists in Bildungsromans
Variations of Bildungsroman
Within the genre of Bildungsroman, there are several more specific terms (all of which come from the German language) that have been used to sub-categorize books in the Bildungsroman genre. While these terms aren't used commonly anymore, they do underscore the importance of the themes of growth and formation at the center of every Bildungsroman.
Entwicklungsroman: A novel of development; differs from bildungsroman in that it does not necessarily involve the process of growing up.
Erziehungsroman: (“novel of upbringing”) A novel of education; emphasis on schooling and knowledge, whether academic or otherwise.
Kunstlerroman: A novel about the development of an artist.
Zeitroman: A novel that considers the evolution of the protagonist's socio-cultural atmosphere and era along with his own personal development.
Sources: 1 2 3 4 5 ⚜ More: Writing Notes & References
Nothing to be ashamed about asking this! You can definitely use flashbacks in this genre. Hope this helps with your writing <3
