Class 12 English Notes Non Fiction 4 (Why the Novel Matters) – Kaliedoscope Book

Alright class, let's delve into D.H. Lawrence's compelling essay, "Why the Novel Matters," from your Kaliedoscope textbook. This piece is significant, not just for understanding Lawrence's philosophy but also for its broader arguments about life and literature, making it relevant for your exam preparation. Pay close attention to the core ideas.

Detailed Notes: Why the Novel Matters by D.H. Lawrence

1. Author and Context:

• Author: D.H. Lawrence (1885-1930), a major English novelist, poet, essayist, and painter of the early 20th century. Known for exploring human relationships, vitality, instinct, and the dehumanizing effects of modernity and industrialization.
• Essay Context: This essay is a passionate defense of the novel as the supreme form of human expression, arguing for its unique ability to capture the wholeness of life.

2. Central Argument:

• Lawrence argues that the novel is the "one bright book of life." He believes it surpasses philosophy, science, and even religion because it deals with human beings in their entirety – "man alive" – rather than reducing them to abstract concepts (mind, spirit, body parts, chemical reactions).

3. Key Themes and Arguments:

• Supremacy of the Novel:

  • Lawrence provocatively claims the novelist is superior to the saint, the scientist, and the philosopher.
  • Why? Because these other figures tend to focus on parts of a human being (the soul/afterlife, the physical body/mechanisms, the mind/ideas), while the novelist deals with the whole living person in their complex reality.
  • He asserts, "If you're a novelist, you know that paradise is in the palm of your hand, and on the end of your nose, because both are alive."

• "Man Alive" vs. Abstraction:

  • The core concept is "man alive" or "woman alive" – the living, breathing, complex individual in their totality.
  • Lawrence criticizes other disciplines for dissecting life into abstract categories: the philosopher into ideas, the scientist into physical processes, the parson (religious figure) into spirit or soul, often focusing on the afterlife.
  • He argues that life exists only in the living individual, not in abstract concepts or disembodied parts. "Nothing is important but life... And the novel is the book of life."

• Integration of Body and Soul:

  • Lawrence strongly rejects the traditional separation of body and soul/mind.
  • For him, a person is an integrated whole. The body is not merely a vessel or a machine; it is alive and inseparable from the spirit or consciousness.
  • He mocks the idea of a disembodied "spirit" or pure "mind," suggesting these are lifeless abstractions.

• The Novel as the "Book of Life":

  • The novel's strength lies in its ability to portray characters and their relationships in their full, often contradictory, complexity.
  • It shows people living, changing, interacting, and experiencing the "tremulation" of life itself.
  • Unlike didactic (preachy) texts that impose a fixed morality or viewpoint ("thumb on the scale"), the true novel explores life honestly.

• Critique of Didacticism:

  • Lawrence argues against literature that tries too hard to teach a specific lesson or impose a moral.
  • He believes the novel should reveal the "subtle interrelatedness" of life without the author imposing their own bias too heavily. The purpose is to explore life, not to preach a doctrine.

• Life's "Tremulation":

  • This refers to the subtle, ever-present vibration or pulse of life in a living being.
  • Lawrence believes the novel is uniquely capable of capturing this elusive quality – the aliveness of things – which science, philosophy, or religion often miss in their focus on static principles or parts.

4. Lawrence's Style:

• Passionate and Assertive: The essay is written with strong conviction, using bold statements and rhetorical questions.
• Provocative: He deliberately challenges conventional hierarchies (placing the novelist above the saint or scientist).
• Figurative Language: Uses metaphors (e.g., "bright book of life," "tremulation") to convey his ideas vividly.

5. Relevance for Exams:

• Understand Lawrence's central thesis about the novel's superiority and his justification (focus on "man alive").
• Be able to explain the contrast he draws between the novelist and the philosopher, scientist, and saint.
• Know the meaning of key terms like "man alive" and "tremulation."
• Recognize his critique of abstraction and didacticism.
• Understand his view on the inseparability of body and soul within the context of life.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Here are 10 MCQs based on the essay "Why the Novel Matters":

1. According to D.H. Lawrence, what makes the novel superior to philosophy, science, or religion?
   a) It provides clear moral guidance.
   b) It deals with the whole "man alive."
   c) It focuses exclusively on the spiritual realm.
   d) It uses more complex language.

2. What does Lawrence mean by the term "man alive"?
   a) A person who is physically healthy.
   b) A human being considered in their complete, living totality.
   c) A character in a novel who seems very realistic.
   d) A person who strictly follows religious doctrines.

3. Lawrence criticizes the philosopher, the scientist, and the saint/parson primarily for:
   a) Being less intelligent than the novelist.
   b) Writing books that are too difficult to read.
   c) Focusing on parts or abstractions of life, not the whole.
   d) Ignoring the importance of the afterlife.

4. What does Lawrence refer to as the "one bright book of life"?
   a) The Bible
   b) Scientific textbooks
   c) Philosophical treatises
   d) The novel

5. Lawrence argues against novels that are overly didactic. What does 'didactic' mean in this context?
   a) Intended to teach a specific moral lesson.
   b) Focused on historical accuracy.
   c) Written in a very simple style.
   d) Containing many dialogues.

6. The concept of "tremulation" in the essay refers to:
   a) The fear characters experience.
   b) The shaking of the earth during an earthquake.
   c) The subtle vibration or pulse of life itself.
   d) The emotional instability of the author.

7. How does Lawrence view the relationship between the body and the soul/mind?
   a) He believes the soul is trapped within the body.
   b) He sees them as completely separate entities.
   c) He argues they are inseparable parts of the living whole.
   d) He prioritizes the mind over the physical body.

8. According to Lawrence, where can paradise be found?
   a) Only in the afterlife.
   b) In scientific discoveries.
   c) In philosophical contemplation.
   d) In the living body, like the palm of the hand or the end of the nose.

9. Lawrence suggests that the main purpose of the novel is to:
   a) Prove a particular philosophical point.
   b) Document scientific facts accurately.
   c) Reveal the complex, interrelated nature of life.
   d) Offer comfort and escape from reality.

10. Which statement best summarizes Lawrence's overall attitude in the essay?
    a) Cautious and analytical.
    b) Detached and objective.
    c) Passionate and assertive.
    d) Sarcastic and dismissive.

Answer Key:

1. b
2. b
3. c
4. d
5. a
6. c
7. c
8. d
9. c
10. c

Study these notes carefully. Understanding Lawrence's perspective on the unique value of the novel is key. Let me know if any point requires further clarification.