Elements of Fiction

Question 1

protagonist

Answer 1

primary character of text, not necessarily good or bad

Question 2

antagonist

Answer 2

primary character who opposes the protagonist in a critical way

Question 3

foil

Answer 3

character who serves as a compliment to the protagonist, sheds light on the protagonist by having contrasting traits

Question 4

image

Answer 4

instance of language that conveys visual information, causes you to see something in your mind’s eye

Question 5

simile

Answer 5

comparison that uses “like” or “as”

Question 6

metaphor

Answer 6

comparison that doesn’t use “like” or “as”, suggests equivalence due to a seemingly stronger note of authority

Question 7

hyperbole

Answer 7

use of florid exaggeration for rhetorical effect, often involves metaphors and/or similes

Question 8

diction

Answer 8

collective term for the kinds of words used in a text, linguistic choices made in a text, part of voice!, english is a mix between Anglo-Saxon and Latin based words

Question 9

symbol

Answer 9

word or phrase that signifies an object or event which in its turn signifies something or has a range of references, beyond itself

Question 10

motif

Answer 10

a conspicuous element, such as a type of incident, device, reference, or formula, which occurs frequently in works of literature

Question 11

theme

Answer 11

idea that is in some way universal to (or widespread within) the human experience and received exploration within a text

Question 12

first person point of view

Answer 12

marked by the use of the first-person pronoun “I”

Question 13

second person point of view

Answer 13

marked by the use of the second-pronoun “you”

Question 14

third person objective point of view

Answer 14

no access to thoughts or emotions of the characters

Question 15

third person subjunctive (close) point of view

Answer 15

access to one’s thoughts and emotions, that character will most likely be the protagonist

Question 16

third person omniscient point of view

Answer 16

access to every character’s thoughts and emotions

Question 17

description-narrative technique

Answer 17

a scene described at length could bring light to a place or person but too much description could lead to two bad things:
1. time stops–> static, nothing happens, narrative flow stops
2. avoids readers using their imaginations
these can be avoided if description is used actively

Question 18

narrative summary-narrative technique

Answer 18

connects the who, what, where, why, when, and how; tells a story does not show it

Question 19

immediate scene-narrative technique

Answer 19

urgent passages because everything is happening currently, make immediate sense of dialogue

Question 20

Socratic/narrative arc–structural components

Answer 20

developed by Socrates, to build effective drama in stories. made up of 5 parts:
1. exposition–setup of conflict
2. rising action
3. climax
4. falling action
5. denouement–resolution
can be used classically, with front-load climax, late-occurring climax, or just not in this order at all

Question 21

realistic novel

Answer 21

“the attempt to give the effect of realism, by representing complex characters with mixed motives who are rooted in a social class, operate in a developed social structure, interact with many other character, and undergo plausible, everyday modes of experience. a realistic novel focuses on the customs, conversation, and ways of thinking and valuing of a particular social class, it is often called a novel of manners”

Question 22

social novel

Answer 22

“emphasizes the influence of the social and economic conditionals of an era on shaping characters and determining events; often it also embodies an implicit or explicit thesis recommending political and social reform…

Question 23

historical novel

Answer 23

“began in the nineteenth century with Sir Walter Scott. The historical novel not only takes its setting and some characters and events from history, but makes the historical events and issues crucial for the central characters and narrative. Some of the greatest historical novels also use the protagonists and actions to reveal what the author regards and the deep forces that impel the historical process”