In literary studies, a bildungsroman (German pronunciation: [ˈbɪldʊŋs.ʁoˌmaːn]) is a type of story that follows the growth and development of the main character from childhood to adulthood. This genre focuses on how the character changes in their thoughts, behavior, and values over time. The word "bildungsroman" comes from two German words: "Bildung," meaning "formation" or "education," and "Roman," meaning "novel."

Origin

The term "bildungsroman" was first used in 1819 by a language expert named Johann Karl Simon Morgenstern during his university lectures. Later, Wilhelm Dilthey helped make the term official in 1870 and made it widely known in 1905. This genre of literature has specific features, including formal rules, common topics, and themes. The phrase "coming-of-age novel" is sometimes used the same way as "bildungsroman," but it is usually more general and less technical.

The beginning of the bildungsroman is often linked to the publication of "Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship" by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe in 1795–96. Some also credit Christoph Martin Wieland's "Geschichte des Agathon" from 1767 as an early example. Though the genre started in Germany, it later influenced writers across Europe and the world. Thomas Carlyle's English translation of Goethe's novel in 1824, along with his own book "Sartor Resartus" (1833–34), the first English bildungsroman, inspired many British authors. In the 20th century, the genre spread to France and other countries globally.

Barbara Whitman suggested that the "Iliad" might be the first bildungsroman. The story is not only about the Trojan War but also focuses on the growth of Achilles. At the start, Achilles is a young, impulsive person whose choices harm himself and others. The story ends when Achilles matures and allows King Priam to retrieve Hector's body.

The bildungsroman genre can be clearly adapted into film, known as the coming-of-age film.

Plot outline

A bildungsroman is a story about a young and inexperienced person who searches for answers to life's questions. This person hopes to gain knowledge and understanding of the world through their journey. The genre began with old stories about a foolish or youngest child who left home to find their fortune. Often, the story starts with an emotional loss that causes the main character to leave their home and begin their journey. The goal of a bildungsroman is for the main character to grow into a mature and responsible person. This happens slowly and with challenges. The story often shows a conflict between the main character and society. Over time, the main character learns to accept society's values and becomes part of it. In some stories, the main character helps others after reaching maturity.

Franco Moretti says that the main conflict in a bildungsroman is about the belief that youth and progress are most important, which sometimes conflicts with the idea that happiness and peace are the end goals, as seen in stories like Goethe's Wilhelm Meister and Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.

There are many types of bildungsroman. An Entwicklungsroman is a story about general growth, not just self-improvement. An Erziehungsroman focuses on learning and formal education, while a Künstlerroman is about the development of an artist and their personal growth. Some memoirs and journals, such as The Dharma Bums by Jack Kerouac or The Motorcycle Diaries by Ernesto "Che" Guevara, can also be considered bildungsroman even though they are based on real events. The term is sometimes used more loosely to describe coming-of-age films and other works in different genres.