English midterm study guide Flashcards
Gothic literature
A genre characterized by elements of horror, suspense, and the supernatural, fitting the dark and chilling nature of the story
Catacombs
The underground burial chambers of the Montresor family, setting the eerie and dark atmosphere of the story- gothic
Flambeaux
Tall torches used to light the way in the vaults, casting eerie shadows and adding to the gothic setting
Long and winding staircase
architecture that leads to Fortunato’s confusion and entrapment
Human remains
Bones and bodies found in the crypt, symbolizing death and decay
Nitre
A mineral form of potassium nitrate that grows in damp places, causing the walls of the catacombs to be covered in a white powder
Setting
The time and place in which a story takes place.
Dramatic language
Language that is intense, emotional, or theatrical, used to heighten the impact and suspense of the story
Insight
A deep understanding or perception of a person or situation, gained through the analysis of the story’s themes and characters
Compare and contrast
To identify similarities and differences between two or more things, a technique that can be applied to analyze the characters or themes in the story
Style
The distinctive way in which a writer uses language, evident in Edgar Allan Poe’s use of suspense, symbolism, and vivid descriptions
Magical realism
A genre that combines realistic elements with magical or fantastical elements, not applicable to “The Cask of Amontillado”
Shakily
In an unsteady or trembling manner, not directly relevant to the story
Fluttering
Moving or flapping rapidly and lightly, not directly relevant to the story
Inexplicably
In a way that cannot be explained or understood, not directly relevant to the story
Irony
A contrast between expectation and reality
Dramatic irony
when a reader or audience is aware of something that a character isn’t
Verbal irony
irony in which a person says or writes one thing and means another, or uses words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of the literal meaning. Sarcasm
Language of gothic literature
strongly dramatic and intensely descriptive language
Modern Gothic Literature
Ordinary places, which make strange events even more unsettling, ordinary people, to whom readers can relate, situations in which normal life is interrupted, ambiguous endings that leave questions unanswered.
narrator’s tone
Attitude a narrator takes toward the audience, a subject, or a character
Ambiguity
An event or situation that may be interpreted in more than one way.
Theme
Central idea of a work of literature
Denotation
The dictionary definition of a word
