PsychologyAugust 30, 2026

bildungsroman

BIL-doongs-roh-mahn

Definition

A literary genre focusing on the psychological and moral growth of a protagonist from youth to adulthood.

Etymology

Derived from the German words 'Bildung' meaning 'education' or 'formation' and 'Roman' meaning 'novel,' the term was coined in the late 19th century to describe the specific tradition of German coming-of-age literature.

In the news

The author uses this term to define the structural requirements of a classic coming-of-age story, contrasting the genuine personal growth in a bildungsroman with the lack of accountability seen in the film Tony.

Why “Tony” Fails and What Therapists Can Learn From It

Read the full article ↗

Psychology Today

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