Aspects of the Novel Papers & Assignment Topics

Essay Topics/Writing Assignments

These 20 essay questions can be used as essay questions on a test, or as stand-alone essay topics for a take-home or in-class writing assignment. Students should have a full understanding of the text in order to answer these questions. They ask for a thorough analysis of the text.

1. Discuss the six authors Forster quotes to illustrate the futility of studying works of literature in terms of chronology.

2. What does Forster think about the motto "History develops, Art stands still"? How does he come back to that in the conclusion of his lecture series?

3. What is the difference between the life in time and the life by value? How does Forster illustrate this point through the work of Sir Walter Scott?

4. Why is Forster reluctant to admit that the primary component of a novel is its story?