Lit. Terms

Question 0

Antagonist

Answer 0

Person or thing working against the protagonist

Question 1

Allusion

Answer 1

A reference in literature to a familiar person, place, or thing

Question 2

Analogy

Answer 2

A comparison of two items suggesting they are alike in many aspects

Question 3

Caricature

Answer 3

An exaggerated imitation of a person’s features or mannerisms in order to appear comic or absurd

Question 4

Characterization

Answer 4

The method an author uses to reveal or describe characters and their personalities

Question 5

Climax

Answer 5

The turning point of the story

Question 6

Conflict

Answer 6

The problem in the story
Person vs. person
Person vs. self
Person vs. fate (God)
Person vs. society
Person vs. nature
Person vs. technology

Question 7

Dialogue

Answer 7

Conversation carried on by characters

Question 8

Antithesis

Answer 8

An opposition, or contrast of ideas

Question 9

Hyperbole

Answer 9

Overstating or stretching the truth for special effect

Question 10

Simile

Answer 10

A comparison if two items using the words “like” or “as”

Question 11

Metaphor

Answer 11

A comparison of two items without using “like” or “as”

Question 12

Personification

Answer 12

When an author speaks of or describes an animal, object, or idea as if it were a person

Question 13

Foreshadowing

Answer 13

Giving hints of what is to come later

Question 14

Imagery

Answer 14

Words/phrases that create a visual picture in the reader’s mind

Question 15

Point of view

Answer 15

Perspective from which the story is told

Question 16

Protagonist

Answer 16

The main character of the story

Question 17

Satire

Answer 17

Literary tone used to make fun of human vice or weakness, often with the intent of changing the subject of attack

Question 18

Setting

Answer 18

Time and place

Question 19

Soliloquy

Answer 19

A speech delivered by a character when he or she is alone on stage (speaking to audience)

Question 20

Symbol

Answer 20

A person, place, thing, or event used to represent something else

Question 21

Theme

Answer 21

The main idea if the work

Question 22

Tone

Answer 22

Mood of the work

Question 23

Tragedy

Answer 23

A literary work in which the protagonist is destroyed by some character flaw and forces beyond his/her control

Question 24

Tragic hero

Answer 24

A character who experiences an inner struggle because of a character flaw