A Christmas Carol, Glossary Of Key Terms Flashcards
Allusion
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”).
Anaphora
A word which refers to a previously used word
Antithesis
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
Asyndetic listing
A list broken up by commas rather than conjunctions like ‘and’.
Auditory imagery
Language which appeals to the reader’s hearing.
Biblical
Relating to the bible; religious connotations.
Catalyst
A dramatic tool which is used to speed up the plot.
Colloquialism
An informal phrase common at its time of utterance.
Connotation
Using text to create implied meaning without explicitly referring to said meaning.
Didactic
A moral message, meaning to give instructions.
Dramatic irony
When the audience knows information which the character does not know.
Epitome
The perfect/ultimate embodiment of quality.
Forebonding
Apprehension that a bad event will occur.
Foreshadowing
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].
Hyperbole
Use of exaggerated statements.
Interjection
Sudden remark, used often as an interruption or aside in the text. [*Bah Humbug!”)
Irony
Embedding a meaning by using language typically implying the opposite of what the writer is intending to express, often for a humorous effect.
Juxtaposition
Comparing two concepts, characters, or clauses, in close proximity in a passage for the effect of contrast.
Moral imperative
An instruction on what is right and wrong, the Ghosts provide this.
Olfactory imagery
Appeals to the reader’s sense of smell.
Oxymoron
Two opposing terms are placed next to each other.
Pathetic fallacy
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]
