English Vocabulary Flashcards
Define antagonist and put it in a sentence
A person who opposes or is hostile to someone or something (often the villain of a story).
Curley is the antagonist in OMAM
Define protagonist and put it in a sentence
The leading character or one of the major characters in a play, film, novel, etc.
George and Lennie are the protagonists in OMAM
Define dialogue and put it in a sentence
A conversation between two or more people as a feature of a book, play, or film.
Throughout the novella ‘Of Mice and Men’, there is a lot of dialogue.
Define Ominous and put it in a sentence
Creating the worrying impression that something bad is going to happen.
The Ranch is an ominous setting in OMAM
Define Patriarchal society and put it in a sentence
A system of society or government controlled by men.
OMAM takes place in a patriarchal society.
Define novella and put it in a sentence
A story shorter than a novel or a long short story.
Of Mice and Men is Steinbeck’s famous novella.
Define analepsis and put it in a sentence
A flashback – when a past event breaks the chronological order of story.
Writers make strategic use of both analepsis and prolepsis in telling a story.
Define prolepsis and put it in a sentence
A flash forward - when a future event breaks the chronological order of a story.
Writers make strategic use of both analepsis and prolepsis in telling a story.
Define motif and put it in a sentence
A dominant or recurring image throughout a text (often symbolising something)
The motif of light is very commonly used throughout OMAM.
Define context and put it in a sentence
The circumstances that form the setting of an event, text, or idea in order for it to be fully understood
To understand OMAM, a reader should consider its historical context.
Define simile and put it in a sentence
A comparison between two things using the words like or as.
Slim was as brave as a lion when he threatened Curley.
Define metaphor and put it in a sentence
A comparison between two things by stating that one thing IS the other.
The field was a sea of green.
Define personification and put it in a sentence
When inanimate objects are given human characteristics of features.
The trees groaned and shed salty tears.
Define foreshadowing and put it in a sentence
A warning or indication of a future event in the text.
Steinbeck foreshadows the novella’s conclusion during the incident with Candy’s dog.
Define repetition and put it in a sentence
Repeated phrase / word / idea for effect.
Steinbeck uses repetition when Lennie asks George about their dream.
Define pathetic fallacy and put it in a sentence
When nature reflects the mood – typically the weather.
Thunder raged across the sky.
Define juxtaposition and put it in a sentence
When two opposite / contrasting ideas are seen close to each other.
I used my torch as a source of light as I walked through the dark forest.
Define semantic field and put it in a sentence
When a writer uses a series of linked words/ideas.
In a poem about war, there may be a semantic field of violence through words such as: suffering, cut, blast.
Define zoomorphism and put it in a sentence
When a writer gives animalistic qualities or features to a human.
Curley barked orders at them.
Define marginalised and put it in a sentence
Treated as insignificant / on the outside of society.
OMAM explores the lives of marginalised characters, like Crooks.
Define segregation and put it in a sentence
The action of setting someone or something apart from others.
Throughout history, black people have suffered from segregation.
Define periphery and put it in a sentence
The outer limits or edge of an area or object.
Crooks exists on the periphery of society.
Define ostracised and put it in a sentence
To exclude from a society or group
Curley’s wife is ostracised by all of the workers at the ranch.
Define microcosm and put it in a sentence
When something smaller / miniature represents something much larger
Steinbeck used the ranch as a microcosm for American society.
Define hierachy and put it in a sentence
Ranking based on status or authority
It becomes evident that there is a hierarchy in the bunk house.
Define paternal and put it in a sentence
Relating to being a father
George is Lennie’s paternal figure.
Define symbiotic and put it in a sentence
An interaction between two different people / organisms that benefits them all
George and Lennie share a symbiotic relationship.
Define morose and put it in a sentence
Sullen and bad-tempered.
Curley is morose when he interacts with Lennie.
Define indignant and put it in a sentence
Feeling or showing anger or annoyance at something that is seen to be unfair.
She was breathless with indignation.
Define derision and put it in a sentence
To express contempt (hatred) or ridicule
My stories were greeted with
derision or disbelief.
Define furtive and put it in a sentence
Secretive – or an attempt to avoid attention/ notice of others.
George’s attempts to remain furtive fail as the novella unfolds
Define pugnacious and put it in a sentence
eager or quick to argue, quarrel, or fight
Curley’s pugnacious attitude causes trouble for George and Lennie
Define contorted and put it in a sentence
Twisted into an unnatural shape
His face was contorted with pain
Define omniscient and put it in a sentence
All-knowing
Slim is described as god-like, being omniscient
Define omnipotent and put it in a sentence
All-powerful
Slim is described as god-like, being omnipotent
Define imperious and put it in a sentence
Having or showing arrogant superiority
Curley’s imperious nature means he is generally disliked on the ranch.
Define demonstrates and put it in a sentence
Shows clearly…
The use of zoomorphism demonstrates Lennie’s innocence,but also his strength.
Define implies and put it in a sentence
Has implications of / suggests…
George’s ‘restless’ eyes implies that he is naturally a cautious,suspicious person.
Define highlights and put it in a sentence
Draws attention to / emphasises…
Steinbeck highlights the loneliness of segregation through Crooks.
Define underpins and put it in a sentence
Draws further attention to / emphasises…
The conclusion of the novella underpins how the American Dream is simply not achievable.
Define conveys and put it in a sentence
Tells the reader that.
Steinbeck conveys his social message through the treatment of marginalised characters
Define conveys & portrays and put it in a sentence
Creates the image of….
Steinbeck conveys/portrays his social message through the treatment of marginalised characters
Define depicts and put it in a sentence
Creates the image of….
Steinbeck depicts Lennie as a huge,immensely powerful man.
Define illustrates and put it in a sentence
Creates the image of….
Steinbeck includes Curley’s wife to illustrate how women were treated in the 1930s
Define oppression and put it in a sentence
Unfairly controlling / putting down others in a cruel or crushing way
In a patriarchal society, the oppression of women is common
Define feasible and put it in a sentence
Possible to do easily / conveniently
Curley’s wife’s dream to become a film star is clearly not feasible.
Define inevitable and put it in a sentence
Unavoidable / will always happen
It could be argued that the ending of the novella was inevitable
Define evident and put it in a sentence
Obvious / clear
It is evident that George cares for Lennie from the beginning.
Define affinity and put it in a sentence
A natural liking or sympathy for someone or something.
The readers feels an affinity with Lennie as we understand that he is helpless
Define repugnant and put it in a sentence
Offensive to the mind, extremely distasteful or unacceptable
Cannibalism seems repugnant tous
Define perilous and put it in a sentence
Dangerous
The journey was perilous with many challenges along the way
