Explain any three features of early Bangali novels.
THE early Bengali novels lived in two worlds. Many of these novels were located in the past, their characters, events and love stories based on historical events. Another group of novels depicted the inner world of domestic life in a contemporary setting. Domestic novels frequently dealt with the social problems and romantic relationships between men and women. Novels were read individually. They would also be read in select groups.
Besides the ingenious twist and turns of the plot and the suspense, the novels were also relished for its language. The prose style became a new object of enjoyment. Initially the Bengali novel used a colloquial style associated with urban life. It also used ‘meyeli’ the language associated with women’s speech.