critical concepts

Question 1

enlightenment

Answer 1

• philosophical movement originated in 1700s europe
• links to migration and european migrants
• focus on govt, ethics, science over imagination, emotion, religion

Question 2

the american dream

Answer 2

the belief that USA is a land of opportunities, and that hard work can lead to economic success

Question 3

realism (1820-1920)

Answer 3

period of time where literature represented society realistically

Question 4

features of realism

Answer 4

• reality depicted with documentary-style detail
• themes of violence and survival to portray harsh realities
• characters portrayed as moral agents who make complex ethical decisions
• diction marked by natural vernacular

Question 5

naturalism (1870-1920)

Answer 5

• detailed realism
• used to suggest social conditions and environment had impact on human character

Question 5

features of naturalism

Answer 5

• focus on lower-class characters battling the environment
• themes of survival, taboo, poverty, violence
• distant and frank omniscient 3rd person narration

Question 6

regionalism (1865-1895)

Answer 6

writers concentrated on unique characteristics of their particular regions of the country

Question 7

modernism (1910-1965)

Answer 7

literature addressing contemporary topics, including race relations, gender and human condition

Question 8

hegemony

Answer 8

dominance of one country or social idea over another

supported by culture, politics or economy

Question 9

miscengenation

Answer 9

marriage or relations between a man and woman of different races

Question 10

colourism

Answer 10

discrimination of those with a darker skin tone

giving privileges to those with a lighter skintone

Question 11

passing

Answer 11

presenting as a different race as the one born into

Question 12

‘angel in the house’

Answer 12

women expected to get married, stay home & look after the children