Essential Questions

A conversation needs some focus. So, in addition, to any general discussion of the novels that may occur, I'd like to consider from time to time, the following:

1. When does the novel begin?
2. What is a novel?
3. What does the novel do?
4. What sub-genres of the novel form and how do they affect our understanding of what the novel is?
5. Does or how does the definition of the novel change or evolve over time?
6. Do men and women, as innovating authors, develop the novel differently?
7. When does the distinction between literature and genre arise?
8. Does it matter what we mean when we say "novel"?

If you have suggestions for other questions, please feel free to add them.

Randall