Would you consider Gargantua and Pantagruel an example of a novel? Why or why not? How does it compare to other early examples of the genre?

How does Gargantua and Pantagruel subvert the traditions and tropes of heroic and/or chivalrous literature? How do these subversions relate to key themes and ideas in the novel?

Compare the characters of Pantagruel and Gargantua. How are they similar or different? What is the significance of the role each plays in the text?