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Literary Terms
Literary terms for my college Contemp. Lit class
34
Literature
Not Applicable
12/03/2009

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Term
Allusion
Definition
a figure of speech that makes a reference to, or representation of, a place, event, literary work, myth, or work of art, either directly or by implication
Term
Antagonist
Definition
A person, or a group of people who oppose the main character, or the main characters
Term
Protagonist
Definition

the main character (the central or primary personal figure) of a literary, theatrical, cinematic, video game, or musical narrative, around whom the events of the narrative's plot revolve and with whom the audience is intended to share the most empathy

Term
Archetype
Definition
is an original model of a person, ideal example, or a prototype after which others are copied, patterned, or emulated; a symbol universally recognized by all. In psychology, an archetype is a model of a person, personality, or behavior
Term
Bildungsroman
Definition
A novelistic variation of the monomyth that concentrates on the spiritual, moral, psychological, or social development and growth of the protagonist; usually from childhood to maturity
Term
Catharsis
Definition
Describes the release of the emotions of pity and fear by the audience at the end of a tragedy
Term
Characterization
Definition

Method used by a writer to develop a character

  • Showing the characters appearence
  • Displaying the characters actions
  • Revealing the characters thoughts
  • Letting the character speak
  • Getting the reactions of others
Term
Deus ex machina
Definition

"Gold out of a machine"

An artificial or improbable character, device, or event introduced suddenly in a work of fiction or drama to ressolve a situation or untangle a plot

Term
Diction
Definition
A writers choice of words, phrases, sentence structures and figurative language which combine to help create meaning.
Term
Epic Characteristics
Definition
  • Character often superhuman/devine traits
  • Setting vast in scope
  • Deeds of valor
  • Supernatural forces
  • Writing style elevated
Term
Episodic Structure
Definition
Occuring in a long string of short individual scenes, stories or sections
Term
Flat Character
Definition
  • Embodies one or two qualities, ideas, or traits that can be readily described in a brief summary
  • Not psychologically complex
Term
Round Character
Definition
  • More complex
  • Inconsistencies and internal conflicts
  • More fully developed
  • Harder to summarize
Term
Freytag's Pyramid
Definition

Structure of dramatic work

  • Exposition - background info
  • Rising action - basic conflict complicated by related secondary conflicts
  • Turning point - climax, change for better or worse
  • Falling action - conflict unravels
  • Resolution - end of story
Term
Genre
Definition
French word meaning kind or type
Term
Grotesque
Definition
  • ludicrous or incongrous distortion
  • outlandish or bizarre
Term
Hubris
Definition
Excessive pride or self confidence that leads to protagonist to disregard a divine warning or to violate an important moral law
Term
In medias res
Definition
literary and artistic technique where the narrative starts in the middle of the story instead of the beginning; flashbacks
Term
Interior monologue
Definition
A type of stream of consciousness in which the author depicts the interior thoughts of a single individual in the same order these thoughts occur inside the characters head
Term
Irony
Definition
An implied discrepency between what is said and what ia meant
Term
Verbal irony
Definition
When an author says one thing and means something else
Term
Dramatic irony
Definition
When an audience foresees something that a character in the liteerature does not know
Term
Irony of situation
Definition
A discrepency between the expected result and actual results
Term
Structural Irony
Definition
Within work of whole book, there are parts that are irony
Term
Motif
Definition
  • a recurrent thematic element in an artistic or literary work
  • a dominant theme or central idea
Term
Narrator
Definition

The voice of the person telling the story

  • 1st - "I" represents point of viewof 1 character
  • 3rd limited - camera eye
  • 3rd omniscient - all knowing
Term
Paradox
Definition
  • Reveals a truth which at first seems contradictory
  • 2 opposing ideas
Term
Pastoral
Definition
An artistic composition dealing with the life of shepherds or w/a simple, rural experience
Term
Pathos
Definition
Appeals to the audience emotions
Term
Realism
Definition
Depiction of subjects as they appear in everyday life
Term
Satire
Definition
A literary tone used to ridicule or make fun of human vice or weakness, often with the intent of correcting, or changing, the subject of the satiric attack
Term
Symbol/Symbolism
Definition
Using an object or action that means something more than it's literal meaning
Term
Syntax
Definition
The way in which linguistic elements are put together to form constituents
Term
Theme
Definition
The general idea or insight about life that a writer wishes to express
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