Bildungsromans

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A literary genre focused on the psychological and moral growth of the protagonist from youth to adulthood
2. A narrative form that emphasizes the development of character and self-discovery as the main theme
3. A type of story that follows the personal and educational evolution of an individual, often exploring their formative experiences

Etymology: "Bildungsromans" is the plural of "bildungsroman," a term borrowed from German. The German compound joins "Bildung," meaning education or formation, with "Roman," meaning novel, and the "-s-" is a linking element that appears in many German compounds. The result is a name for a novel built around a young person's development into maturity, which is why the genre is often described as a novel of formation or education.