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LITERARY FICTION v. Popular Fiction

The document summarizes some key differences between literary and popular fiction, including that literary fiction focuses more on characters that are revealed gradually and places with their own identity, uses language more carefully with unusual images and metaphors, and has less dialogue. In contrast, popular fiction is more plot-driven with stereotypical characters that help advance the story, places that offer familiar or exotic escapes, plainer language closer to everyday speech, and more abundant dialogue. The purpose of literary fiction is to reflect on human issues, while popular fiction aims primarily to entertain.

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600 views1 page

LITERARY FICTION v. Popular Fiction

The document summarizes some key differences between literary and popular fiction, including that literary fiction focuses more on characters that are revealed gradually and places with their own identity, uses language more carefully with unusual images and metaphors, and has less dialogue. In contrast, popular fiction is more plot-driven with stereotypical characters that help advance the story, places that offer familiar or exotic escapes, plainer language closer to everyday speech, and more abundant dialogue. The purpose of literary fiction is to reflect on human issues, while popular fiction aims primarily to entertain.

Uploaded by

mlord22
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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LITERARY FICTION POPULAR FICTION

Plot not too important Plot driven – lots of action and event
Characters are central. They reveal Characters are more stereotypical. They
themselves gradually. help the plot.
Places have their own identity, like a Places are familiar or exotic, offering
character. They can be familiar but escape.
explore something unknown in it.
Language is chosen with care, with Language is plainer and is closer to
unusual images and metaphors. everyday spoken language.
There is less dialogue. Dialogue is abundant and reflects
everyday use.
The purpose is for us to reflect on issues The purpose is to entertain.
about the human condition.

Adapted from [Link]


popular-fiction/

Can you think of any examples that fit into these categories? For example, Dan
Brown’s novels are popular fiction and Margaret Atwood is an example of a writer of
literary fiction.

You can find a list of books considered literary fiction here:


[Link]

Look at the comments to this blog and discuss your opinions:

This is a gross over-simplification of both popular and literary fiction. While genre
fiction might be more plot-driven, Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde is a prime example of
popular fiction to which character is central. Similarly, to say little happens in literary
fiction is laughable. What about War and Peace?

It’s funny you’d ask whether I “automatically think literary means quality” because if I
hear “literary” I automatically think “boring”!

I feel that the best literary novels go for well-chosen words rather than big words.
Choosing your words well is the important things. And there are plenty of novels that
cross the divide between literary and popular fiction. There’s even a sub-genre for them
now – accessible literary fiction.

There are plenty of wonderful literary authors writing engaging fiction. It’s just that
such work isn’t hip. Hip is the literary equivalent of The Emperor’s New Clothes. The
pretentious stuff, that nobody gets, but everyone would like you to think they get; that’s
what the critics tend to praise as literary fiction.

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