Literary Terminology

Question 1

What is an Allegory?

Answer 1

A type of narrative that attempts to reinforce its theme by making characters (and possibly events and settings) represent specific abstract ideas or qualities.

Question 2

Give an example of an Allegory.

Answer 2

Plato’s The Allegory of the Cave

Question 3

Describe Analysis.

Answer 3

Examining of relationship among the parts or of causes and effects.

Question 4

What is an Antagonist?

Answer 4

The adversary or enemy of the hero or protagonist of a literary work. The one who causes problems for the main character.

Question 5

Give an example of an Antagonist

Answer 5

Lord Voldemort

Question 6

What is the Backstory?

Answer 6

Story that precedes events in the story being told—past events or background that add meaning to current circumstances

Question 7

What is a Character?

Answer 7

Those involved in the story. When analyzing character, look at personality, nature, drives, goals, values, intellect, emotional qualities, social qualities, etc.

Question 8

Describe a round character.

Answer 8

Well developed

Question 9

Describe a flat character.

Answer 9

One Dimensional

Question 10

Describe a Dynamic character.

Answer 10

Changes over the course of the story

Question 11

Describe a Static Character.

Answer 11

Remains the same over the course of the story.

Question 12

Describe the Doppleganger/The double

Answer 12

A character that represents a second-self, usually of the main character, and is often figured as a twin, shadow, or mirror-image. The Doppelganger sometimes takes the form of an alternate identity of the main character, for example, a demonic character that functions as a representation of another character’s dark side.

Question 13

Give an example of a Doppleganger.

Answer 13

Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde

Question 14

What is foreshadowing?

Answer 14

The implantation of information or clues which eliminates or greatly reduces the surprise of the ending.

Question 15

What is imagery?

Answer 15

This most commonly refers to visual pictures produced verbally through literal or figurative language, although it is often defined more broadly to include sensory experiences other than visual.

Question 16

What is an Interpretation?

Answer 16

A setting forth of one or more of the meanings of a work of literature.

Question 17

What is irony?

Answer 17

Some contrast or discrepancy between appearance and reality. Irony takes a number of special forms

Question 18

Describe Dramatic Irony.

Answer 18

When the reader knows more than the characters

Question 19

Describe Situational Irony.

Answer 19

when a set of circumstances turns out to be the reverse of what is expected or appropriate.

Question 20

Describe Verbal Irony.

Answer 20

when there is a contrast between what is literally said and what is actually meant

Question 21

What is mood/atmosphere?

Answer 21

The feeling pervading a literary work.

Question 22

Describe 4 factors that influence mood.

Answer 22

Setting, Details, Images & Description

Question 23

Who is the narrator?

Answer 23

The person who tells us the story.

Question 24

Describe a first person narrator.

Answer 24

This is the “I” who narrates the story. This type of narration is highly subjective. The narrator may be unreliable and/or the reader may have superior awareness

Question 25

List the 3 types of third person narrative.

Answer 25

Effaced, Omniscient, & Selective Omniscient

Question 26

Describe an effaced narrator.

Answer 26

does not seem to exist (objective), does not comment in own voice, and does not enter any minds.

Question 27

Describe an Omniscient narrator.

Answer 27

knows everything that is going on and can tell us the inner thoughts of all the characters. May editorialize, pass judgment, or reassure the reader.

Question 28

Describe a Selective Omniscient narrator.

Answer 28

reveals the thoughts of one of the characters but for the most part sees the rest of the characters from the outside only.

Question 29

What is the Plot of a story?

Answer 29

What happens in the story, the gist of the narrative; the writer’s arrangement or structuring of the material into a story.

Question 30

What are the 4 parts of a story plot?

Answer 30

Exposition, Complication, Climax & Denouement

Question 31

Describe the Exposition of a story plot.

Answer 31

The beginning of a story where the characters are introduced and the setting (background info) is revealed.

Question 32

Describe the Complication of a story plot.

Answer 32

This is where a problem arises and tension builds in the story.

Question 33

Describe the Climax of a story plot.

Answer 33

The most exciting point and turning point of the story. The reader wants to know what happens next.

Question 34

Describe the Denouement of a story plot.

Answer 34

This is the end of the story where the problem is worked out. A state of relative equilibrium returns – things return to normal.

Question 35

What is a point of view?

Answer 35

The angle from which we hear the story – it largely determines our response to the story.

Question 36

What is the protagonist?

Answer 36

The leading character, hero, or heroine of a literary work.

Question 37

Give an example of a protagonist.

Answer 37

Harry Potter

Question 38

What is a literary Setting?

Answer 38

This is not merely the location of the story, but also the atmosphere and the world in which the characters move and live.

Question 39

What is literary Style?

Answer 39

This is the author’s characteristic manner of expression. Style includes the author’s diction, syntax, sentence patterns, punctuation, and spelling as well as the use made of such devices as sound, rhythm, imagery, and figurative language.

Question 40

What is literary Symbolism?

Answer 40

The use of one object to represent or suggest another. Symbols can be characters, places, seasons, happenings, etc. The symbol has rich implications and means something deeper than what the thing appears to be on the surface.

Question 41

What is a literary Theme?

Answer 41

The controlling idea or meaning of a piece.

Question 42

What is a literary Tone?

Answer 42

The author’s attitude toward the subject or audience.

Ex. Pessimistic, Optimistic, Sarcastic, Silly, Ambivalent, Angry, Hopeful, Irony, Questioning