Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

bildungsroman

noun

/ˈbɪl.dʊŋs.roʊ.mæn/

Definition

A literary genre that focuses on the psychological and moral growth of the protagonist from youth to adulthood.

Examples

‘The Catcher in the Rye’ by J.D. Salinger is a classic example of a bildungsroman.
‘Jane Eyre’ by Charlotte Brontë tells the story of a young girl’s development into a strong woman.
‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee is another prominent bildungsroman that explores moral growth through the eyes of a child.

Meaning

The term ‘bildungsroman’ comes from German, meaning ‘novel of education’ or ‘novel of formation’. It describes a coming-of-age story where the main character undergoes personal development through various experiences.