A Christmas Carol, Glossary Of Key Terms

Question 1

Allusion

Answer 1

An indirect reference to a concept or theme without explicit mention.
[Scrooge uses Biblical allusion as he believes the Ghost of Christmas Present is God or at least related to Him in some way, ‘It has been done in your name, or at least in that of your family”).

Question 2

Anaphora

Answer 2

A word which refers to a previously used word

Question 3

Antithesis

Answer 3

Rhetorical device where contrasting concepts are placed together in a text, typically a sentence, to highlight how opposite they are. E.g. Fred has a “cheerful voice” straight after scrooge’s wickedness

Question 4

Asyndetic listing

Answer 4

A list broken up by commas rather than conjunctions like ‘and’.

Question 5

Auditory imagery

Answer 5

Language which appeals to the reader’s hearing.

Question 6

Biblical

Answer 6

Relating to the bible; religious connotations.

Question 7

Catalyst

Answer 7

A dramatic tool which is used to speed up the plot.

Question 8

Colloquialism

Answer 8

An informal phrase common at its time of utterance.

Question 9

Connotation

Answer 9

Using text to create implied meaning without explicitly referring to said meaning.

Question 10

Didactic

Answer 10

A moral message, meaning to give instructions.

Question 11

Dramatic irony

Answer 11

When the audience knows information which the character does not know.

Question 12

Epitome

Answer 12

The perfect/ultimate embodiment of quality.

Question 13

Forebonding

Answer 13

Apprehension that a bad event will occur.

Question 14

Foreshadowing

Answer 14

An indication that an event will occur later in the narrative. [Fan says that her father is much “kinder” than before which Scrooge’s change].

Question 15

Hyperbole

Answer 15

Use of exaggerated statements.

Question 16

Interjection

Answer 16

Sudden remark, used often as an interruption or aside in the text. [*Bah Humbug!”)

Question 17

Irony

Answer 17

Embedding a meaning by using language typically implying the opposite of what the writer is intending to express, often for a humorous effect.

Question 18

Juxtaposition

Answer 18

Comparing two concepts, characters, or clauses, in close proximity in a passage for the effect of contrast.

Question 19

Moral imperative

Answer 19

An instruction on what is right and wrong, the Ghosts provide this.

Question 20

Olfactory imagery

Answer 20

Appeals to the reader’s sense of smell.

Question 21

Oxymoron

Answer 21

Two opposing terms are placed next to each other.

Question 22

Pathetic fallacy

Answer 22

A kind of personification in which human emotions are projected onto nature, especially weather, often to create a mood. [In the opening pages of the novella, Dickens notes “no wind that blew was bitterer than [Scroogel, no falling snow was more intent upon its purpose, no pelting rain less open to entreaty.” By attributing emotions to this weather Dickens can contrast it with Scrooge to show how bitter, unflexible and uncharitable he is]