INTRODUCTION TO PROSE FICTION

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Prose

Prose is the most typical form of language, derived from the Latin word "prosa," which literally means 'straightforward.' It involves communicating in a straightforward manner, without a sing-song or poetic style. This means that anything expressed in prose is presented straightforwardly; for example, this course material is in prose.

Views on prose construction vary, but the consensus is that it has a simple and loosely defined structure. Typically, there's no effort to adhere to a specific structure, making it a common mode of communication in both formal and informal settings such as spoken dialogue, speeches, and various types of writing, including factual, topical, and fictional. Consequently, most books are written in prose, and everyday conversations often take a prose form.

Prose consists of complete sentences forming paragraphs in a narrative style, reflecting the pattern of everyday speech. Unlike poetry, which follows a specific metric and structure, prose is more flexible. Yet, it requires correct sentence structure and logical sequencing for meaningful communication. Samuel Taylor Coleridge succinctly describes this distinction, stating, “prose is — words in their best order; poetry, — the best words in their best order.” (Quoted in Hall 62).

In both speech and writing, we arrange words in a proper way for coherent communication. Therefore, anything not presented in verse is typically in prose.

Prose, as mentioned earlier, serves as the primary medium for written and oral communications. It holds an advantage over verse, which is more musical in form. The use of prose for disseminating written information dates back to the 15th century when monasteries sold collections of saints' and virgins' lives composed in prose. Prose became the preferred medium for silent and private reading in this environment, offering an additional advantage for translators, who could focus directly on meaning without the constraints of poetic structure.

Fiction

Fiction is derived from the Latin word "fictum," meaning "created." It is a term encompassing stories or accounts that are not real. Can you recall the fairy tales or stories your mother or grandmother shared about animals, monsters, or human beings in distant lands or ancient times? These are fictional narratives, dealing with imaginary events created by the author.

Apart from denoting non-factual accounts, fiction is also used to describe a major literary branch, including novels, dramas, and other theatrical presentations in cinematic and musical forms. The key factor is that these stories or presentations are not grounded in reality.

Prose Fiction

In the context of literature, the merging of "prose" and "fiction" gives rise to "prose fiction," which refers to fictional work presented in a narrative form. This genre, comprising short stories, novellas, and novels, tells a story that is not based on factual events, distinguishing it from historical accounts.

Prose fiction, as an artistic work, involves a personal narrative, a hero to identify with, fictional inventions, style, and suspense—essentially, elements handled with personal creativity and artistic freedom. It may involve exaggerations, distortions, or entirely invented stories, depending on the writer's style and goals. Despite being an invention, the story in prose fiction is presented in a realistic manner.

Prose Fiction and History

Prose fiction deals with essentially personal subject matter, open to various interpretations by the reader. What we encounter in prose fiction are events, incidents, and experiences that impact human beings. It conveys human experience from the writer’s imagination and is viewed as a field of “cultural significance to be explored with a critical and didactic interest in the subjective perceptions both of artists and their readers” (Whiteman 12).

The earliest literary presentations were in verse, but over time, there was a shift from verse to prose, beginning in the early 13th century. The Prose Lancelot or Vulgate Cycle, a collection from that period, is believed to be the earliest form of literary presentation in prose. This collection indirectly led to Thomas Malory’s Le Morte d'Arthur compilation of the early 1470s. These collections were derived from historical sources for the sole purpose of instruction and national edification (Wikipedia). Prose fiction in the contemporary period is expected to serve a similar purpose, with the novel dominating followed by the short story.

The development of modern prose fiction, particularly the novel, is traced to the development of belles-lettres (beautiful letters) associated with elegance and style. This amalgamation of genres included history and science in vernaculars, personal memoirs, political discourse, fiction, and poetry. Gradually, prose fiction in this broader spectrum became a prominent medium for creating a distinct style of writing and communication. This style provided artists an opportunity for artistic experimentation and originality necessary to showcase and market their unique styles. The reading of prose fiction later became fashionable and remained closely tied to everyday language, extending to the private letter, the art of "gallant" conversation, and personal memoirs and travelogues (Maynard 22).

Sometimes, students mistakenly perceive prose fiction and historical narratives as similar since both convey human experience. It is crucial to elucidate the relationship between the two. While both are narrative projects, history is grounded in actual events, featuring real names, specific dates, and locations. History, therefore, constitutes an empirical social experience, focusing on factual documentation for educational purposes and preservation for posterity. Early historians occasionally incorporated inventions in factual accounts, either rooted in traditional knowledge or for orchestrating a particular narrative (Whiteman 22).

Conversely, the literary artist engages with historical data to provide experiences for artistic presentation. However, the language of the literary artist doesn't rely solely on hard facts; instead, it mediates facts to pursue specific and universal truths while aiming to please. The literary artist grapples with "the problem of disciplining history to obey his artistic purpose" (Chidi Amuta, 89).

Novelists, however, vividly depict the social, political, and personal realities of a place and period with more clarity and detail than historians. History is factual documentation, whereas prose fiction is a work of art. Although prose fiction may be based on history, the author uses vivid and graphic representations of characters and incidents to craft an entertaining story.

Writers of prose fiction, like historians, may document and present facts, but not as accurately. Unlike historians who use real names, places, and dates, prose fiction employs fictitious names, even if known places and dates are mentioned. This allows for the artistic manipulation of historical events, with the author often indicating that names are fictitious and expressing regret for any resemblance to known persons.

Prose fiction may utilize informal language for a specific effect, whereas historical language is expected to be formal and correct at all times. The language of prose fiction is distinct, enabling the author to manipulate it to suit their purpose or style and for the readers' appreciation.

The relationship between literature and history is explored, emphasizing history as an empirical social experience driven by the pursuit of factual data. Conversely, the literary artist engages with historical data to create art, mediating facts to pursue specific and universal truths while aiming to please or disturb in the process. The literary artist faces the challenge of disciplining history to align with artistic purposes (Chidi Amuta, “Literature of the Nigerian Civil War” 89).

Self-Assessment Exercise:

Similarities:

1. Both prose fiction and history involve storytelling.

2. They may use historical data to convey experiences, albeit in different ways.

Differences:

1. Prose fiction allows for the use of informal language and manipulation for artistic purposes, while historical language is expected to be formal and correct.

2. Prose fiction presents imaginary works with characters and incidents that are not real, whereas history documents past realistic events.

Summary:

Prose fiction combines "prose" and "fiction" to present an imaginary work in narrative form, educating and entertaining readers with stories addressing cultural, social, and political issues. While the story is fictitious, it includes identifiable characters, locations, and incidents to make it as realistic as possible. Prose fiction differs from history, which documents past realistic events.

Conclusion:

This unit explains prose fiction by breaking down the words "prose" and "fiction" separately before merging their meanings. It differentiates prose fiction from history, emphasizing that prose fiction is a narrative aspect of literature.

REFERENCES/FURTHER READING

Amuta, C. (1988). “Literature of the Nigerian Civil War” inYemiOgunbiyi ed. Perspectives on Nigerian Literature 1700 to the Present. Vol. 1. Lagos:  Guardian Books.

Hall, O. (1989).The Art and Craft of Novel Writing. Cincinnati: Story Press. Kermode, F. &Hollander J., eds. (1980).The Oxford Anthology of English

Literature. Seventh edition. Vol. II.London: Oxford University Press.

Maynard, M.,ed. (1992). The Norton Anthology: The World Masterpieces. Sixth Edition

Vol.1. London: W.W.Norton.

Whiteman, G.P. (2006). “The Role of Fictional Narrative and Semi Fiction in

Organizational Studies” ERIM Report Series: Research in Management”