Psychological Novels - Some Major Novels

The psychological novel, as the name suggests, aims at revealing its characters' inner selves. As far as style is concerned, many psychological novels entail interior monologue and stream of consciousness. These are literary techniques facilitate the reader direct access to the inner most thoughts of characters.

The Catcher in the Rye (1951) by J. D. Salinger

The Catcher in the Rye (1951) written by American writer J. D. Salinger is one famous instance of a psychological novel. The novel is narrated by a 16-year-old boy Holden Caulfield who has just flunked out of his 3rd prep school. He is unwilling to remain at school until the end of the term. So, he runs away to New York City and drifts around the city for two days. At last, drawn by the love and affection for his younger sister Phoebe, he returns home. He reveals his idealism to Phoebe by telling that he would like to be "the catcher in the rye" meaning the defender of childhood innocence who would stand in a field of rye where so many children are playing.

Seize the Day (1956) by Saul Bellow

Many American writers in the mid-20th century tried their hands on writing powerful psychological novels. Saul Bellow wrote the novella Seize the Day (1956) which describes the character Tommy Wilhelm. He loses his job and is about to lose his wife too. He seeks help from his father but it's futile. He also goes bankrupt and is left penniless. By observing Tommy's pitiable condition and his world, the readers get an intimate sense of Tommy's struggles.

A Separate Peace (1960) by John Knowles

John Knowles wrote A Separate Peace (1960). The novel is about the relationship between two boys Gene and Phineas who meet at prep school. Phineas is a charming athlete who gains widespread respect and attention. Gene on the other hand is a more serious student. Though Gene enjoys friendship but becomes jealous of Phineas's athletic talent. The key incident in the novel is an accident that Phineas suffers. By depicting Gene's internal struggles over his role in the accident, Knowles shows Gene's character.

The Bell Jar (1963) by Sylvia Plath

American writer Sylvia Plath wrote The Bell Jar (1963). Through the shaky psychological condition of a character Esther, the novelist scrutinizes the challenges of being a young woman in America during the 1950s. Esther describes herself as being inside one and shows how she feels and experiences. She suffers a breakdown because of the limitations the society imposes on women. Though she is a strong scholar, she feels unhappy and attempts to commit suicide. Nevertheless, she recovers and her life moves on. There are strong biographical elements in this novel that roughly parallels events in Plath's life.

By Rakesh Ramubhai Patel