For the longest time I've heard from writers (and particularly writing instructors) the notion that somehow what is considered literary fiction was a superior form than genre fiction (genre being classified as mystery, sci-fi, etc.).
The main point of distaste that comes most readily to mind was the assertion, by those who looked down upon genre fiction, that genre fiction was too formulaic ... with the added belief that literary fiction was quite the opposite, and thus, apparently, more 'real.'
Now, I would hope to dispute this assumption, by seeking out examples of what would generally be considered literary fiction and showing that they do, in fact, exhibit signs of being formulaic too.
I'm speaking in generalities with this particular example, but I've noticed that literary fiction, either short stories or novels (and mainly, here, more modern ones, but certainly not exclusively), tend to end with the main protagonist(s) wandering off into the night. In some way, shape, or form there is a finale where the story and its meaning is swallowed up in the darkness.
This is the one example that stands out most keenly to my mind, does anyone have another example ... or would like to dispute my belief that literary fiction is, simply put, merely another Genre?