A key question could also be 'How does the setting of the novel contribute to the overall story and mood?' Like, a story set in a dystopian future might create a sense of unease and urgency.
One could be 'How does the author develop the characters in a way that resonates with readers?'
One essential question could be: How well do the characters drive the plot forward? Strong characters often make a novel engaging.
One essential question could be: How well-developed are the characters and do they feel real and relatable?
One essential question could be 'What is the main theme of the novel?'. This helps you understand the overall message the author is trying to convey. For example, in 'To Kill a Mockingbird', the main theme is about racism and justice in the South during the 1930s.
One essential question could be 'How does historical fiction accurately represent the time period?' This is crucial because it determines the authenticity of the story. If a historical fiction fails to represent the era's culture, social norms, and events correctly, it loses its credibility as a work set in that particular time.
One essential question is 'What is the main theme?'. By identifying the theme, like love, friendship, or coming - of - age, we can better understand the overall message of the story. For example, in 'The Catcher in the Rye', the theme of alienation and the search for identity helps readers connect with Holden Caulfield's journey.
Okay, do you have any questions about general knowledge of literature?
Do you have any questions about literature? I will try my best to answer.
The necessary literary knowledge included: 1. The types of novels: including classical novels, modern novels, science fiction novels, fantasy novels, detective novels, martial arts novels, etc. 2. Famous works of literature, including Dream of the Red Chamber, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Water Margins, Journey to the West, Scholars, Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio, etc. 3. The characteristics of Chinese literature, including the long history of Chinese literature, rich literary types, unique literary styles, profound literary thoughts, etc. 4. The classification of Chinese literature includes ancient literature, modern literature, contemporary literature, etc. 5. Classic works of Chinese literature, including The Book of Songs, The Songs of Chu, The Analects of Confucius, Tao Te Ching, Journey to the West, Dream of the Red Chamber, etc. 6. The characteristics of the classic works of Chinese literature, including profound thoughts, beautiful literary language, unique artistic charm, etc. 7. Evaluation of the classic works of Chinese literature: Including the evaluation of the literary value, artistic value, and intellectual value of the classic works. 8. The influence of the classic works of Chinese literature, including the influence on Chinese literature, culture, society, etc. 9. The relationship between Chinese literature and foreign literature, including the influence of Chinese literature on foreign literature and the influence of foreign literature on Chinese literature. The above is some basic literary knowledge, I hope it will be helpful. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.
Moreover, essential questions are important for the genre as a whole. They define what historical fiction is and what it can achieve. Without these questions, historical fiction might just be a random mix of historical events and made - up stories. But with these questions, it becomes a way to explore history, human nature, and the relationship between past and present in a more meaningful way.