Elements of Story/Fiction Flashcards
Author of Merchant of Venice
William Shakespeare
Background of Merchant of Venice
Shakespeare lived in a time when European Jews were being antagonized greatly, and thus, applied it in Merchant of Venice.
Characters of Merchant of Venice
Antonio, Bassanio, Portia - Protagonist
Shylock - Antagonist
Conflict of Merchant of Venice
Antonio vs. Shylock
Climax of Merchant of Venice
During the court, Portia, who is disguised as a lawyer, becomes Antonio’s advocate against Shylock.
Conclusion of Merchant of Venice
Shylock loses everything and become a Christian and in the process, Antonio does not give a pound of flesh to Shylock, and, Portia reveals that she was lawyer in Venice.
Theme of Merchant of Venice
ANTI-SEMITISM:
When Shylock, a Jew, is portrayed as a lender of money who charges extreme interest rates and asks for a pound of flesh at Antonio’s failure to pay back the loan. It is also seen in the final outcome of the court, when Shylock loses everything.
Symbol of Merchant of Venice
1 LB OF FLESH:
The pound shows the seriousness of matters in Antonio’s time, since he is willing to shed flesh for his friend, to pay back a Jew, Shylock.
Author of Ethan Frome
Edith Wharton
Background of Ethan Frome
Wharton lived an unhappy marriage during her life, which she applied in the life of Ethan Frome himself, because Ethan Frome is trapped in an unhappy, useless love as well and learned of accidents as well.
Characters of Ethan Frome
Ethan Frome - Protagonist
Zeena Frome - Antagonist
Conflict of Ethan Frome
Ethan Frome vs. Zeena Frome
Climax of Ethan Frome
Ethan and Mattie attempt suicide by hitting the tree while Ethan is supposed to drop Mattie off at the station to leave permanently.
Conclusion of Ethan Frome
Zeena, who had been the sick person that needed care, now has to take care of Ethan and Zeena, who have been paralyzed due to their suicide attempt.
Theme of Ethan Frome
Silence and isolation is seen when Ethan, confronted with his mother’s illness, discovers that he has grown ever more silent and isolated from the world with his mother’s health deteriorating. Silence is seen with Ethan always letting Zeena speak, rather than Ethan speaking, he is silent.
Symbol of Ethan Frome
The color red signifies the danger that lurks in Ethan’s life, and it is often associated with Mattie Silver, because of her scarf, ribbon, and even a red sunrise.
Author of Romeo and Juliet
William Shakespeare
Background of Romeo and Juliet
Shakespeare used older works in writing Romeo and Juliet, by incorporating the plot and some of the characters.
Characters of Romeo and Juliet
Romeo, Juliet - Protagonist
The Capulet and Montague families - Antagonist
Conflict of Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet vs. Their own families
Climax of Romeo and Juliet
When Romeo commits suicide at the sight of seeing Juliet “dead,” and when Juliet kills herself as well.
Conclusion of Romeo and Juliet
The Capulets and Montagues decide to stop feuding after seeing the deaths of their children.
Theme of Romeo and Juliet
Violence stemming from social power since Romeo and Juliet try to deal with the truth and destiny that their two families will never accept their love and marriage, for they are enemies. Violence is seen from all the murders.
Symbol of Romeo and Juliet
Poison, in that Romeo and Juliet’s love is symbolically poisoned with the conflict between their two families, and Romeo literally poisons himself because of his Juliet “dying.”
Author of Catcher in the Rye
J.D. Salinger
Background of Catcher in the Rye
Salinger used his own life experiences and placed them into the character Holden Caulfield. Both Hold and Salinger were reckless, and not good at maintaining relationships. The two were sent to various schools for short periods of time, and they were restless.
Characters of Catcher in the Rye
Holden Caulfield (Phoebe) - Protagonist The "phony" adult world - Antagonist
Conflict of Catcher in the Rye
Holden Caulfield vs. His immaturity and dislike of the world
Climax of Catcher in the Rye
When Holden cries as his sister, Phoebe, rides on a carousel and he decides not to run away from his parents and his future.
Conclusion of Catcher in the Rye
Holden does not run away and is sent to a psychiatric facility and plans on returning to a new school at the beginning of the next school year.
Theme of Catcher in the Rye
Alienation as a form of self-protection is apparent with Holden’s exclusion of everyone he interacts with. The boy formulates generalizations or attitudes that alienate the people that he encounters.
Symbol of Catcher in the Rye
Holden’s red hunting hat is a symbol that shows Holden’s uniqueness from everyone else in the world.
Setting of Merchant of Venice
1596, Venice and Belmont, Italy
Setting of Ethan Frome
Early 1900s, Starkfield, Massachusetts
Setting of Romeo and Juliet
1500s, Verona and Mantua, Italy
Setting of Catcher in the Rye
1950s, Pencey Prep, Hagerstown, Pennsylvania
New York City, New York
