Can a Novel (Today) Be Original and What Would That Mean?

Abstract

The essay, in the proper sense of the word as an attempt, research or consideration, addresses the issue of originality. It focuses on the novel, asking about its relationship with originality, and explores the meaning of originality in a poststructuralist reality. In Theoretical Recognitions the findings of selected researchers who bring something new to the area of originality are discussed. The most important fact seems to be that originality is a novelty that inspires and triggers its imitative consequences. In addition to positive assessments, opinions that deny the importance of originality are also mentioned. The patron of the fragment entitled Wisdom of the Novel is Milan Kundera. Following Kundera, beliefs about the novel’s uniqueness are recalled, also in terms of its originality. Finally, in An Attempt to Understand Originality, the author proposes an original understanding of the title concept, made in the spirit of phenomenology.