6. The Story - Essay - Class 11 - Woven Words

BhashaLab
Jul 3
5 min read

Author: E.M. Forster

Textbook: Woven Words

Genre: Essay (Literary Criticism / Lecture)

Summary

In this essay, E.M. Forster explores the importance of storytelling as the foundation of a novel. He presents three voices reacting to the question, “What does a novel do?”—a vague, friendly man; a straightforward, aggressive man; and himself, the reluctant but honest third voice, who admits that telling a story is fundamental to the novel, even though he wishes it were something more elevated. Forster traces the origins of storytelling back to primitive man and the tradition of oral tales, such as the legendary Scheherazade, who used suspense to survive. He argues that storytelling is the “lowest and simplest” literary component but the most essential—it is the backbone or even the “tape-worm” of a novel. A story simply narrates events in a time sequence and must maintain interest by making readers want to know what happens next. He contrasts daily life’s two dimensions—life in time and life by values—and explains that a novel, though it must follow time, should also try to represent human values. Through humor and analogy, Forster shows that although the story may appear basic, it is a necessary structure for deeper literary elements to exist.

Character Sketch (of the Author)

E.M. Forster:

Forster comes across as witty, self-aware, and intellectually honest. He does not romanticize storytelling and admits its primitiveness, yet he defends its role in holding a novel together. He reflects on literature with insight and irony, using personal tone and informal speech to connect with readers. As a critic, he values structure and believes deeply in literature’s emotional and philosophical potential beyond simple narrative.

Themes

Theme	Description
Storytelling as the Basis of Novels	A story is the essential structure that gives form to a novel.
Primitive Roots of Storytelling	Storytelling began in ancient times and satisfied the basic human urge to know “what happens next.”
Suspense and Human Curiosity	The desire to find out what happens next drives readers to continue reading.
Time in Storytelling	Stories must follow a chronological order, which distinguishes them from real life where values may outweigh time.
Double Life: Time and Values	Life is experienced both in time (sequential events) and by value (emotional intensity), and a good novel includes both.

✨ Literary Devices / Poetic Devices

Device	Example / Explanation
Analogy	Comparing story to a backbone or tape-worm to show its basic yet central role.
Irony	Forster regrets that story is fundamental, even though he acknowledges its necessity.
Allusion	Reference to Scheherazade from The Arabian Nights to explain suspense in storytelling.
Colloquialism	Conversational phrases (“yes—oh dear yes”) reflect the talk-like nature of the essay.
Imagery	Descriptions of Neanderthal man by a campfire or clocks ticking in novels illustrate ideas vividly.
Contrast	Between “life in time” and “life by values” to explain dual dimensions in both life and literature.

Title Justification

The title The Story is simple but powerful, reflecting the essay’s central focus. Forster does not explore plot or character in depth but instead discusses the foundational role of the story itself in the structure of a novel. He analyzes its nature, origins, and the reason it continues to be essential. The title draws attention to this overlooked but necessary aspect of fiction, reinforcing the idea that storytelling, however basic, underlies every novel.

One-Mark Questions

What are the three types of responses to the question “What does a novel do?” according to Forster?Forster describes a vague man, an aggressive man, and himself—each giving a different tone of response but agreeing that a novel tells a story.
Why does Forster compare the story to a “tape-worm”?He uses this image humorously to show how the story runs through a novel’s structure, simple but necessary and unglamorous.
What kept Scheherazade alive according to Forster?Her skill in suspense and keeping the king curious about what would happen next saved her life.
How does Forster define a story?He calls it a “narrative of events arranged in their time sequence,” where the main interest is in what happens next.
What does Forster mean by “life in time” and “life by values”?“Life in time” refers to chronological events, while “life by values” refers to emotional or spiritual intensity not measured by time.

Three-Mark Questions

What does Forster mean by calling the story a “low atavistic form”?
He means that storytelling appeals to a primitive instinct in humans, much like our early ancestors who needed excitement and suspense. Although he acknowledges its necessity, he wishes novels could be based on higher forms like truth or music. Still, he accepts storytelling as the backbone of all novels.
Explain the significance of the Scheherazade example in the essay.
Forster uses the example of Scheherazade to illustrate the power of suspense in storytelling. Despite her many other talents, it was her ability to maintain curiosity—by stopping mid-story—that kept her alive. This reinforces the idea that the story’s ability to make the audience want to know more is its greatest strength.
How does Forster distinguish between a good novel and a simple story?
While a story follows time sequence and builds suspense, a good novel goes beyond that. It includes the emotional and moral dimensions of life—what Forster calls “life by values.” A great novel balances the time structure with depth, meaning, and human insight.

Value-Based Question

What lesson does the essay teach us about human curiosity and the role of storytelling in our lives?

The essay reminds us that storytelling is a timeless and universal human activity. It appeals to our natural curiosity, our desire to understand the unknown, and our ability to imagine beyond reality. In both literature and life, stories give us structure, help us make sense of events, and connect us emotionally. Forster’s essay teaches that even the simplest elements—like a story—have great power and purpose when treated with understanding and creativity.

End

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