Criteria for evaluating a novel

Abstract

Predmet članka so merila za vrednotenje romana. Predstavljena sta terminologija in problem opredelitve ter navedena spoznanja tako klasičnih slovenskih literarnih zgodovinarjev kot tudi novejši pogledi na branje in vrednotenje romana. Trditve so izhodišče za razmišljanje o relativnosti vrednotenja in možnostih svobodnega ocenjevanja, na koncu pa je podan primer analize in vrednotenja sodobnega slovenskega romana ter s tem aplikacija teoretičnih spoznanj na konkretno pripovedno delo.

The article discusses the criteria for the evaluation of novels. We demonstrate the terminology, the problem of definition, and the findings of classical Slovenian literary historians, as well as contemporary views on reading and evaluating novels. Arguments put forward form the basis for thinking about the relativity of evaluation and the possibilities of loose assessment. Finally, we provide an example of the analysis and evaluation of a contemporary Slovenian novel, and thus the application of our theoretical knowledge to a concrete work of prose.