Franzens

How to Measure Literary Excellence

There lurks an unavoidable phenomenon in contemporary literary circles—a persistent echo that reverberates through the critiques and appraisals of emergent narratives. This phenomenon has fashioned an unwritten, albeit pervasive decree: every novel must invariably be labelled – if it is worthy enough - as being akin to Franzen's literary sophistication.

Franzen stands as a sentinel, a defining yardstick of literary excellence in contemporary literature, I wish to explore this 'Franzen Fever,' a potent contagion that has infiltrated the very core of literary dialogues and examinations.

Since the start of the new millennium, Jonathan Franzen has emerged as a luminary, spearheading American Fiction with monumental works such as "The Corrections" and "Freedom." His narratives, a masterful tableau of intricate character studies, possess an uncanny adeptness at mirroring the zeitgeist. Franzen’s ability to navigate the kaleidoscopic societal norms, familial intricacies, and the panorama of human emotions in the modern age with adept dexterity has unquestionably been an inspiration for numerous contemporary authors seeking to mirror his craft.

Currently, with an influx of narratives probing the modern zeitgeist, accentuated by rapid technological evolutions and socio-political instability, comparisons with Franzen's oeuvre have become somewhat of a rite of passage. The heartbeat of Franzen lies in the universality of his works. Franzen’s narratives resonate with a global audience, as they focus on familial connections, personal crises, societal dynamics, and evolving identities within a swiftly transforming world.

Yet, amid this universality, can we stifle the constant Franzen comparisons? This is a plea to avoid the reductive, even lazy tendency to view every narrative with universal themes through the Franzen lens. I am aware this will be difficult. Therefore, I present a solution: the patent-pending Franzen Scale.

My conceptual framework inspired by the Richter scale—utilised to gauge the seismic potency of earthquakes - my 9-point Franzen scale aspires to calibrate the literary resonance of emergent works, charting a trajectory from nuanced human intricacies to the profound depths that mark a Franzen epic. Through the advent of this scale, offering a nuanced measurement in 'Franzen Units' attributed to each work, I aspire to bestow upon readers a way to foster a more nuanced understanding and setting forth more grounded expectations of Franzenesque works.

1.0 - 1.9 Franzens.
Narratives touch on basic Franzen traits, such as initial character complexity and faint societal commentary.

2.0 - 2.9 Franzens.
Stories delve deeper into themes, exploring basic familial dynamics and personal struggles reminiscent of Franzen's earlier layers.

3.0 - 3.9 Franzens.
Narratives now present a wider cultural commentary, hinting at the Americana themes prevalent in Franzen's works.

4.0 - 4.9 Franzens.
Approaching Franzen’s depth, these stories explore contemporary society and familial tensions with more intertwined plots.

5.0 - 5.9 Franzens.
These works mirror Franzen's essence with deep characters, societal insights, and multifaceted storylines.

6.0 - 6.9 Franzens.
Elevating Franzen’s style, narratives at this level add novel elements like global insights or diverse cultural explorations.

7.0 - 7.9 Franzens.
A pure Franzen tribute, stories here dive deep into intricate plots, societal critiques, and multifaceted characters set against an Americana backdrop.

8.0 - 9.0 Franzens.
Beyond Franzen, these narratives redefine the benchmark, incorporating and expanding upon his depth while introducing innovative storytelling.

My Franzen scale thus serves as a navigational tool in the expansive ocean of literary works, helping readers to identify the extent to which new narratives align with, or diverge from, the established Franzen tropes. This scale acknowledges the significant imprint of Franzen in the contemporary literary sphere while encouraging readers and critics alike to appreciate the burgeoning diversity and potential that lies beyond the Franzen benchmarks, fostering a richer, more inclusive literary dialogue.