Short story and novel
The difference between a short story and a novel lies in the length, since the story is defined as a short story while the novel is defined as a longer story.
In addition, there is a space-time difference in the story and the novel that determines the precision, accuracy, and harmony that characterize each of these literary genres.
According to the Argentine writer Julio Cortázar (1914-1984) the difference between short story and novel can be compared with the relationship between cinema and photography. For the author, photography is like a story that reflects a snapshot of life, saving facts, characters and words, while the cinema is like a novel that tells a story that reflects life or society at a personal pace.
| Story | Novel | |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Literary genre characterized by a short narrative of usually fictitious events. | Literary genre characterized by an extensive narration of fictional or real events. |
| Source |
| Literary. |
| Characteristics | ||
| Example | Hansel and Gretel , from the Brothers Grimm. | The steppe wolf, by Hermann Hesse. |
Story
The story is a literary genre in which the narration has a short length. Generally, the stories are based on fictional stories and characters, however, that does not rule out that in other cases real elements are used.
In terms of origin, the tale can come from two sources:
- Oral tradition: myths, legends, songs, romances and popular ballads
- Literary tales: stories expressed through a more cultured language, whether they are fictitious or real.
Characteristics of the story
Although various authors have suggested that the differences between a story and a novel can be very diffuse, it is also true that there are a series of elements that allow us to recognize a story:
1. It’s brief
Although this characteristic is not so rigid, in general the narratives of this type are quite short, since they come from the oral tradition and it was necessary to synthesize the story as much as possible to be able to remember and transmit it.
2. Use of fantasy
The story has fantastic elements that can be seen represented in a place of the narrative action (a magical kingdom), in the characters (fairies, supernatural beings) or in the plot itself.
3. Focuses on a central fact
Usually the story has a central plot around which the characters carry out their actions (searching for treasure, rescuing a princess, finding a castle, etc.).
4. It is easy to understand
The plot of a story is usually very simple, this allows its oral or written dissemination to reach more people.
5. Has an identifiable structure
The story usually has a linear structure divided into:
- Start : it is the presentation of the characters, the space and time in which the story will unfold.
- Climax : it is the core of the story, where a situation is presented that must be faced by the characters.
- Outcome : the characters resolve the conflict and that leads to the end of the story.
6. The plot takes place in the same place
Usually, the story takes place in the same place (a castle, a field, a neighborhood, etc.).
7. Has a teaching
The aim of the story is to convey a sobering message or moral, which consists of teaching about essential values in the human being (love, justice, freedom, compassion, etc.)
Novel
The novel is a genre based on the narration of fictitious or real events in an extensive way, and making use of sophisticated literary resources, such as educated and written language, prose, verse, literary figures, among others. Difference between Short story and novel
The origin of the novel is always literary since it not only uses resources from formal language, but it can also combine them freely depending on the complexity of the story to be told.
Characteristics of the novel Difference between Short story and novel
1. They are long stories
This characteristic is not entirely rigid because it is possible to find narratives in the novel genre with a short length. However, in many more cases, the novel is characterized by the length of its story.
2. Can have multiple frames Difference between Short story and novel
A novel can have a single plot, but it can also develop parallel or secondary plots.
3. The stories are complex
Due to their length, the use of multiple resources and, in some cases, the abundance of characters, novels can have a higher level of narrative complexity than other genres.
4. Structure may vary
Although a novel can have a traditional structure (beginning, climax, ending), the truth is that it is also possible to manipulate that structure in multiple ways. Difference between Short story and novel
A novel can begin at the end (as is the case with My Name is Red, by Orhan Pamuk), it can have several beginnings or endings, or several plots can be developed simultaneously – it all depends on the creativity and purpose of the author.
5. Space-time conditions may vary Difference between Short story and novel
In a novel, the times and places in which the story unfolds can vary constantly. In this way, a novel can begin in one historical period and end in another, the characters can move through different cities, countries or real or fictional settings, etc.
6. Its purpose is to entertain
The novels do not usually have a teaching or moral because their objective is the entertainment of the reader. However, this characteristic is quite subjective, since each reader gives his own interpretation to what he reads.
In any case, it can be said that many authors do not write with the aim of giving an exemplary lesson, but rather that it is the readers who rescue some learning. Difference between Short story and novel
