Literary Elements

Question 1

What is a PATHOS

Answer 1

To evoke pity or sadness in the reader.

Ex. Moment at Amir’s birthday party where Hassan had to serve assef (who just rated him) his drinks.

Question 2

What is an ALLUSION

Answer 2

A brief reference to a person, event or place, real or fictitious, or to a work of literature.
Ex. Macbeth- A little water clears us of this deed is. Biblical allusion to Ponchos Pilot
Can be biblical, historical or literary

Question 3

What is an ARCHETYPE

Answer 3

Patterns that represent the repeated unconscious experiences of humanity.

Question 4

What is a CHARACTERIZATION

Answer 4

The method used by a writer to develop a character. The method includes (1) revealing the characters actions, (2) reveals no the characters thoughts or words and (3) revealing the reactions of other characters.
Can be either direct or indirect.

Question 5

What is a FORESHADOW

Answer 5

The sue of hints or clues to suggest what will happen later in literature.

Question 6

What is a HYPERBOLE

Answer 6

Immense exaggeration used for impact

Ex. I could eat a horse.

Question 7

What is IMAGRY

Answer 7

Language that evokes one or all of the five senses: sight, sound, taste, smell or touch
Ex. Blood imagery in Macbeth

Question 8

What is IRONY

Answer 8

An implied discrepancy between expectation and reality, or what is said and what is meant. There are 3 types: dramatic irony, situational irony, and verbal irony

Question 9

What is a JUXTAPOSITION

Answer 9

The act of placing two characters or ideas close together or side by side for the purpose of comparison or contrast.

Question 10

What is a METAPHOR

Answer 10

Comparison between two seemingly unlike things without using like or as.
Ex. Life is a highway.

Question 11

What is a MOTIF

Answer 11

Recurrent thematic idea or element in an artistic or literary work.
Ex. The bloody hand to represent guilt in Macbeth.

Question 12

What is an OXYMORON

Answer 12

Placing two contradictory words together.

Ex. Jumbo shrimp, lively funeral.

Question 13

What is a PARADOX

Answer 13

Placing two opposing ideas together to reveal a truth which at first seems contradictory.
Ex. “Fair is fouls and foul is fair” from Macbeth

Question 14

What is PATHETIC FALLACY

Answer 14

When nature or the environment reflects tone, theme, or character development. Either simple or complex.
Ex. When mousing owl kills falcon in Macbeth.

Question 15

What is a PERSONIFICATION

Answer 15

Giving human attributes it animals or objects.

Ex. The tree danced in the wind.

Question 16

What is a SIMILIE

Answer 16

Comparison of two seemingly unlike things using like or as

Ex. Life is like a box of chocolates.

Question 17

What is a SYMBOL

Answer 17

An object of action that represents something more than its literal meaning.
Ex. Serpent in Macbeth.

Question 18

What is a THEME

Answer 18

The general idea, insight or lesson about life that a writer wishes to express.

Question 19

What is an ALLEGORY

Answer 19

A form of extended metaphor in which objects and characters are equated with the meaning that lie outside the narrative itself. They are often simplistic stories that contain important lessons.
Ex. The boy who cried wolf