Which of the following descriptions delineate Roman a Clef (Novel with key)?

Correct option is B

Explanation:

A Roman à clef (literally "novel with a key") is a novel in which real-life individuals are depicted using fictionalized names.

The "key" refers to a reference or guide (often provided in the form of an appendix or notes) that reveals the actual identities behind the fictional characters.

In this genre, authors often explore real-life events or personal experiences but choose to veil these realities under the guise of fictional elements.

The "key" is what helps readers to understand the true identities and historical or social context behind the narrative, often focusing on the lives of notable public figures or historical figures.

Information Booster:

The term "Roman à clef" comes from the French language, where it means "novel with a key." The key is the hidden truth that is unlocked for the reader who is familiar with the real-life figures or events being depicted.

Examples: Famous Roman à clef works include "My Antonia" by Willa Cather, which presents real events and characters under fictional names, and "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt, which blends historical events with fictionalized representations of people.

While a Roman à clef may seem similar to an autobiography or memoir, it differs because the events are fictionalized and embellished. The characters' names and some aspects of their experiences are altered, allowing the author to comment on real-world events in a disguised form.

The key is a way for the author to maintain some privacy or avoid direct confrontation with real people or sensitive issues. It also adds an element of intrigue, as readers try to decode which characters represent whom in real life.

A Roman à clef should not be confused with other types of fiction such as a biography or historical fiction where historical characters and events are portrayed directly. A Roman à clef often emphasizes the human experience behind the veil of fiction.

Additional Knowledge:

A novel depicting the life of an artist from childhood to maturity:

- This is a description of an artist's novel or an Bildungsroman. A Bildungsroman focuses on the coming-of-age process and personal growth, typically following a single character's development.

A novel describing historical incidents with fictional characters:

- This refers to historical fiction, where events or characters from history are fictionalized. A Roman à clef, however, uses real people with altered names, whereas historical fiction may create entirely fictional characters within a historical context.

A novel giving the effect of realism by highlighting the social problems of the time:

- This describes a social realist novel, which focuses on the portrayal of social issues through realistic narratives, often dealing with poverty, class, and social inequalities. It doesn't require altered names of real people like in a Roman à clef.