Focus on Individuality and Interiority:
* Emphasis on psychological realism: Exploring the complexities of the human mind, emotions, and motivations.
* Subjective experience: The narrative often centers on the protagonist's internal world, thoughts, and feelings, rather than external events.
* Stream of consciousness: A narrative technique that mimics the flow of thought, often fragmented and non-linear.
Breaking Conventions and Experimentation:
* Non-linear narratives: Shifting timelines, multiple perspectives, and fragmented storylines challenge traditional plot structures.
* Unreliable narrators: Characters whose perspectives are biased or flawed, raising questions about truth and perception.
* Formal experimentation: Playing with language, form, and structure to create new ways of storytelling.
Themes of Modern Life:
* Social and political issues: Exploring themes like alienation, consumerism, class struggle, identity, and the human condition in the modern world.
* Existentialism: Questions about meaning, purpose, and the nature of reality in the face of a seemingly indifferent universe.
* Urban landscapes: Depicting the complexities of city life, including its anonymity, isolation, and social challenges.
Beyond these general characteristics, there are many subgenres and movements within modern fiction, each with its own distinct features. Some examples include:
* Modernism: (Early 20th century) Emphasizing fragmentation, subjectivity, and the breakdown of traditional values.
* Postmodernism: (Mid to late 20th century) Playing with self-reflexivity, parody, and the blurring of fiction and reality.
* Magical realism: Blending realistic settings with fantastical elements to explore the complexities of human experience.
Ultimately, the "great bulk" of modern fiction cannot be definitively characterized as it encompasses a wide range of styles, themes, and approaches. However, understanding these key characteristics provides a helpful framework for navigating this diverse literary landscape.