The superficial impression of the book is that it is a guide about literary theory however it examines the literary community as a whole. Forster takes the opportunity to criticize the interpretation of English literature and its community. He critiques the need for historians and literary critics alike to place literature in periods and timelines. In view of that, he emphasizes that literary works are a development of humanity hence every great writer is in the same realm beyond time. Consequently probes into the pseudo-scholarship in literary circles that view art as a historical development that requires classification. Forster considers literature as a reflection of human nature therefore it cannot change akin to human nature.
Forster splits the novel into subcategories that represent vital aspects of writing prose. He explains and highlights the inner workings of these aspects that are straightforward however delivers some distinctive opinions at the same time. On Plot, he stresses that it is the facet that allows for causality in the novel as it tells and reveals over time. He highlights that plot can be well structured at the expense of the characters which should not be the case. Instead, focusing on proper character development whilst telling the story to build a plot which will require the readers’ memory and aptitude.
Consequently explains that the characters in the novel should be more ‘real’ than people in real-life by disclosing their hidden inner lives. The reader, therefore, relates better with the characters on the page. Thus, the element of flat and rounded characters comes into play because rounded characters accomplish this task. The last aspect of Rhythm Forster parallels the rhythm of the novel and that of music to express the shared aesthetics between them. In that, rhythm allows for a fluid and open-ended texture of the novel hence it achieves the expansive impression.
