chapter 2 terms Flashcards
plot
what happens in a narrtive
exposition
provides background info about the characters, setting, and nature, describing the nature of the conflict, generally an unstable situation
rising action
conflicts and complications for the main character begin to build
climax
when the emotional tension or suspense of the plot reaches its peak, occupies most of the story, protagonist may improve or worsen
falling action
details the result or fallout of the climax or turning point conflict gets resovled
resolution
conflict has been resolved and balance is restored
denouncement
conflict has been resolved or it could be that balance is restored idk
traditionally used to tell the moral of the story
suspense
emotional tension
in medias res
a latin term meaning in the middle of the action
flashback
describe events that have taken place before the story happens
foreshadowing
hint at things that might happen later in the story
character
a protagonist or antagonist
protagonist
main character
antagonist
in conflict with protagonist
bildungsroman
chronicles how a young character grows from innocence to experience coming of age story
epiphany
describe a character when they suddenly realize something significant about life
round character
typically a protagonist who exhibits a range of emotions and changes over the course of the story
flat character
embody only one or two traits and provide background for the protagonist’s actions
foil
a contrasting character who allows the protagonist to stand out more distinctly
stock characters
may represent stereotypes, occasionally providing comic relief
direct characterization
occurs when a narrator explicitly describes the background motivation, temperament, or appearance of a character
indirect characterization
author shows rather than tells us what a character is like by what she or he says does or thinks or what others say about the character
setting
indicates time and place
historical context
a novel, short story, or play may be set in a historical era a time/place that has its own politics economic or social upheavals