Literature: Meaning and Features of Prose Fiction for JSS 1

Introduction to Prose Fiction

Performance Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. explain the meaning of prose fiction;
2. discuss types and features of prose; and
3. read and appreciate class-appropriate prose texts.

Meaning of Prose Fiction

Prose fiction is a type of literature written in ordinary, everyday language and organized into sentences and paragraphs, which tells an imaginary story created by an author.

To understand this definition fully, it is helpful to look at the two words separately. “Prose” refers to straight, continuous writing that does not use the rhythmic patterns, verses or rhymes found in poetry. Newspapers, textbooks, letters and novels are all written in prose. “Fiction” refers to stories that are products of the writer’s imagination. While fiction may be inspired by real-life events, places or people, the characters and specific occurrences are invented by the author.

Functions of Prose Fiction

Authors write prose fiction for several important purposes, and readers engage with these texts for various reasons.

The main functions of prose fiction include:

1. Entertainment: It provides pleasure, relaxation and enjoyment to readers as they follow interesting characters and exciting events.
2. Moral Education: It teaches lessons about good behavior, honesty, respect and the consequences of bad actions through the experiences of the characters.
3. Cultural Preservation and Awareness: It helps readers learn about the traditions, beliefs, history and lifestyles of different societies, both within Nigeria and around the world.
4. Empathy and Understanding: It allows readers to understand the feelings, struggles and perspectives of other people, helping them become more caring and thoughtful.
5. Language Development: It helps readers improve their vocabulary, grammar, reading comprehension and general communication skills.

Types of Prose Fiction

Prose fiction can be grouped into different types based on how the writer presents the information. The two primary types studied at this level are narrative prose and descriptive prose.

Narrative Prose

Narrative prose is a type of writing that focuses on telling a story. It presents a sequence of events that happen over a period of time. It has a clear beginning, middle and end, and it answers the primary question: “What happened next?” Examples include novels, short stories, folk tales and myths.

Descriptive Prose

Descriptive prose is a type of writing that focuses on painting a vivid picture of a person, place, object or scene using words. Instead of focusing on action or a sequence of events, it uses sensory details—words that appeal to the senses of sight, hearing, smell, touch and taste—to make the reader feel as if they are experiencing the subject directly.

Differences Between Narrative and Descriptive Prose

The table below highlights the key differences between these two types of prose:

Features of Prose Fiction

Every work of prose fiction is built using specific literary elements. These elements work together to make the story complete and interesting.

The essential features of prose fiction are:

1. Plot: This is the sequence of events that make up the story. It shows how one event leads to another. A typical plot includes an introduction, a rising action, a climax (the turning point of highest tension), a falling action and a resolution (the ending).
2. Characterization: This is the method an author uses to create, develop and describe the characters in a story. Characters can be people, animals or even objects. The main character is called the protagonist, while the character or force that opposes them is called the antagonist.
3. Setting: This is the time and place where the events of the story occur. The setting can be a real place (like a school in Lagos) or an imaginary world. It also includes the historical period, the season and the time of day.
4. Theme: This is the central message, main idea or moral lesson that the author wants to communicate to the reader through the story. Examples of themes include love, friendship, betrayal, honesty and hard work.
5. Style: This is the unique way the author writes. It includes the choice of words (diction), sentence structure, tone (the author’s attitude) and the use of figurative language such as similes, metaphors and personification.

Reading and Appreciating a Prose Text

To appreciate a prose text, a reader must look beyond the basic meaning of the words and identify how the author has used the features of prose fiction to create an engaging story.

Read the short passage below carefully:

The sun was setting behind the hills of Idanre, casting long, golden shadows across the dusty path. Amina walked quickly, her bare feet kicking up small clouds of red earth. In her hands, she held a small, polished calabash that her grandmother had given her. The calabash was decorated with intricate carvings of birds and lizards. Suddenly, she heard a rustling sound in the nearby bushes. She stopped, her heart beating like a traditional drum. Out stepped a small, stray puppy with floppy ears and a wagging tail. Amina smiled, her fear melting away, and knelt down to offer the puppy a piece of roasted yam from her basket.

Appreciating the Passage

The features of prose fiction in the passage can be identified and analyzed as follows:

1. Setting: The story takes place at sunset on a dusty path near the hills of Idanre. This setting creates a peaceful yet slightly mysterious atmosphere.
2. Characters: The main character is Amina, a young girl who is observant, initially fearful, but ultimately kind. The secondary character is the stray puppy, described as friendly and harmless.
3. Plot: The plot is simple but complete. Amina is walking home, hears a sudden noise that frightens her, discovers the source of the noise is a harmless puppy, and shows kindness by sharing her food.
4. Type of Prose: This passage combines both narrative and descriptive prose. It is narrative because it tells a story of Amina’s walk and her encounter. It is descriptive because it uses sensory details like “golden shadows”, “dusty path”, “red earth”, “intricate carvings” and “heart beating like a traditional drum” to paint a clear picture.
5. Style: The author uses simple, clear language with vivid imagery. The simile “her heart beating like a traditional drum” helps the reader feel Amina’s sudden fear.
6. Theme: The passage explores the themes of overcoming fear and showing kindness to animals.

Summary of the Unit

Prose fiction is a vital part of literature that uses ordinary language to tell imaginary stories. It serves to entertain, educate, preserve culture and build empathy. By understanding its types (narrative and descriptive) and its key features (plot, characterization, setting, theme and style), readers can fully appreciate and enjoy the stories they read.

Review Questions

The following questions help to test the understanding of this unit:

1. Explain the meaning of prose fiction in your own words.
2. State three functions of prose fiction in society.
3. Differentiate between narrative prose and descriptive prose, giving one example of how each is used.
4. List and explain four major features of prose fiction.
5. Based on the passage “The Golden Calabash” read in this unit, identify the setting and the main theme of the story.