Lit terms

Question 1

Authors purpose

Answer 1

The reason or intent for writing. We often connect this to the theme. What message might the author want readers to learn from the material?

Question 2

static character

Answer 2

is one who does not change much in the course of the story

Question 3

dynamic character

Answer 3

changes as a result of the story’s events.

Question 4

flat character

Answer 4

has only one or two traits, and there is no depth

Question 5

round character

Answer 5

is like a real person who has many different traits sometimes these traits contradict each other.

Question 6

conflict

Answer 6

Struggle or clash between opposing characters or opposing forces.

Question 7

internal conflict

Answer 7

a conflict within the mind of a character who is torn between opposing feelings or between different courses of action.

Question 8

man versus self

Answer 8

an internal conflict within a character, where aspects of his or her personality (emotional, intellectual, or moral) may struggle for dominance.

Question 9

external conflict

Answer 9

a conflict between a character and an outside force, such as another character, nature, or society.

Question 10

man versus man

Answer 10

an external conflict between two characters

Question 11

man versus society

Answer 11

an external conflict between a character and a social force or condition produced by society, such as poverty, political revolution, or a set of values

Question 12

man vs nature

Answer 12

an external conflict between a character and some natural obstacle or natural condition

Question 13

flashback

Answer 13

Scene in a movie, play, short story, novel, or narrative poem the interrupts the present action of the plot to flash backward and tell what happened at an earlier event.

Question 14

imagery

Answer 14

language that appeals to the senses

Question 15

motif

Answer 15

An object, phrase, idea or concept that appears repeatedly throughout a literary work. It helps reinforce the main idea an author wants to emphasize.

Question 16

how can a motif be expressed opposed to a theme

Answer 16

UNLIKE A THEME, a motif can be expressed as a single word or fragmentary phrase, while a theme usually must be expressed as a complete sentence.

Question 17

metaphor

Answer 17

A figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unlike things, in which one thing becomes another thing without using the words like or as

Question 18

1st person pov

Answer 18

Uses “I” pronoun - from the perspective of the main character.

Question 19

2nd person POV

Answer 19

Uses “You/Your” pronouns

Question 20

3rd person pov

Answer 20

Uses “He/she/they” pronouns

Question 21

3rd person limited

Answer 21

focuses on one character only

Question 22

3rd person omniscient

Answer 22

all-knowing narrator

Question 23

3rd person objective

Answer 23

journalistic/no inner thoughts (narrator is like a documentary camera)

Question 24

narrator

Answer 24

The voice telling a story

Question 25

what is an unreliable narrator

Answer 25

A narrator whose credibility has been compromised. Sometimes a character who may be immature or doesn’t recall all details might be considered unreliable.

Question 26

symbolism

Answer 26

The use of a person, place, thing, or event to represent an idea or quality Something concrete representing an abstract concept Example: a sword may be a sword and also symbolize justice. A symbol may be said to embody an idea.

Question 27

theme

Answer 27

The central message of a literary work. It is the main idea and gives an insight into human nature. A theme is MORE than one word - it is a complete statement.

Question 27

simile

Answer 27

Figurative of speech that compares two unlike things using like or as.