CBSE Class 11 English Woven Words: Chapter 6 - The Story NCERT Solutions

The question 'What does a novel do?' elicits three distinct responses, each revealing a different perspective on the novel's value. The first voice offers a quick, superficial answer, viewing novels primarily as a source of leisure rather than serious literature. This perspective lacks deep engagement with the novel's artistic merit. The second voice responds aggressively, considering novels inferior because they tell stories, even though the speaker admits to enjoying them. This suggests a prejudice against narrative forms. The third voice expresses a mixed feeling of regret, acknowledging the widespread popularity of novels but simultaneously recognizing storytelling as a less esteemed literary form, indicating an awareness of critical hierarchies.

The 'finer growths' in a novel refer to the subtle and unique elements that an author introduces, which distinguish one work from another. These can include the development of a particular character, the introduction of a compelling sub-plot, or the exploration of a specific idea. Without these finer growths, a novel might lack originality and offer little that is new or noteworthy for the reader to appreciate, making them essential for the novel's distinctiveness and artistic value.

E.M. Forster traces the human interest in storytelling back to very early periods of human history, suggesting it originated in the Neolithic or possibly even the Paleolithic Age. He infers this from evidence like the Neanderthal skull, which suggests these early humans were capable of listening to stories. Forster posits that storytelling likely served as a way for early humans to pass idle time, especially after strenuous activities like hunting. The suspense inherent in a story would have held their attention, providing a form of engagement that might have even prevented them from becoming dangerously disinterested or restless.

Time plays a fundamental and central role in the narration of any story. A novelist cannot construct a narrative without considering the temporal sequence of events. For a story to be coherent and understandable, it must follow a structured chronology, presenting events in the order they occur. This adherence to a timeline, much like the ticking of a clock, is essential for the reader to follow the progression of the plot and comprehend the unfolding narrative.

A novel, in essence, is a fictional narrative that can be set in diverse contexts and explore various themes. Historically, the genre has evolved significantly, with numerous sub-genres emerging over time, such as historical fiction, mystery, romance, fantasy, and mythology. However, during the period when E. M. Forster was writing, the range and definition of novel genres were considerably more limited than they are today. Fundamentally, a novel engages readers through its plot, characters, and themes, offering insights into human nature and society.

The statement highlights two fundamental aspects of human existence. 'The life in time' refers to the structured, chronological aspect of our lives, governed by schedules and routines. This includes activities like attending school on weekdays or relaxing on weekends, representing an ordered way of living. In contrast, 'the life by values' pertains to our personal interests, beliefs, priorities, and perspectives, which may not always align with a strict temporal order. Everyone experiences both dimensions of life, and while 'life in time' provides structure, 'life by values' often guides our deeper motivations and choices, frequently holding greater personal significance.