Literary Terms Flashcards

1
Q

Protagonist

A

The central character

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Antagonist

A

The individual/force against which the protagonist struggle (see: conflict)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Character

A

A person, place, animal, or object that influences (or is influenced by) the pot and that demonstrates a unique personality.)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Plot

A

The events in a story

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Conflict

A

Struggle.

Person vs Person/Self/Nature/Society etc.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Prose:

A

Writing that is not poetry.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Blank Verse:

A

A verse without rhyme, esp. that which uses iambic pentameter.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Aside:

A

When a character play directs something to the audience/self, that isn’t indented to be heard by other characters.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Soliloquy:

A

A (usually lengthy) speech in which a character, alone on stage, expresses their thoughts aloud. Dramatic device used to display inner feelings to audience.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Rhyming Couplet:

A

Two subsequent lines that rhyme.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Sonnet:

A

A fourteen line lyric (emotional) poem that usually contrasts two things or ideas being examined by the poet and leads to a resolution. Different rhyming scheme depends on type of sonnet.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Classical Allusion:

A

An unexplained reference to something well known, like mythology.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Metaphor:

A

A comparison between two unlike things with the intent of giving added meaning to one of them. Unlike a simile, does not use “like,” “as,” “then,” etc.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Simile:

A

A comparison between two things using “like,” “as,” “then,” etc.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Alliteration:

A

The repetition of sounds at the beginning of a word.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Assonance:

A

The repetition of vowel sounds, but not consonants. (May be within words.)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Consonance:

A

The repetition of consonant sounds, but not vowels. (May be within words.)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Euphony/Cacophony:

A

Soothing, pleasant/harsh, discordant sounds.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Pathos:

A

To arouse feelings of sympathy, pity.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Aptonym:

A

When a person’s name is appropriate/suited to their occupation, personality, features, etc.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Homophone

A

When two words sound the same but have different meanings.

22
Q

Onomatopoeia:

A

A word whose sound imitates or suggests its meaning.

23
Q

Personification:

A

Giving human like qualities to a non-human object, animal, etc.

24
Q

Pun:

A

The humorous use of a word or phrase, often suggesting two or more meanings at the same time.

25
Nemesis with three examples
Retributive justice: The punishment fits the crime. 1. Tantalus drank ambrosia, in Tartarus food and water would move away when he tried to reach for it. 2. Maenads were too wild, turned into trees. 3. Arachne claimed better weaver than Athena, turned into spider. 4.
26
Hubris with three examples
Excessive pride, or the act of putting oneself equal to or above the Gods. 1. Tantalus was invited to share the food of gods, but shared ambrosia with other mortals; this made gods angry. 2. Niobe boasted that her 16 children were better then Leto's. All of her children were killed and she died of sadness and turned into a rock. 3. Arachne said she could weave better than Athena.
27
Metamorphosis with three examples
A change in physical state. 1. Zeus changes into a bull to charm Europa 2. Hera disguises as an old woman to dupe Zeus's lover, and Dionysus's mother, Semele. 3. Artemis transformed Actaeon into a deer when he saw her naked. 4. Athena turned Arachne into a spider.
28
Myth:
A traditional story, often explaining natural/social phenomenon. Often concern supernatural beings (i.e. Greek Gods) or events. Commonly passed down through generations via storytelling.
29
Theme:
The writer’s message communicated through literature.
30
Foil:
A character who sets off another character by contrast
31
Malapropism:
The mistaken use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one, often with unintentionally amusing effect.
32
Epiphany:
Sudden realization, often life changing.
33
Setting:
Time (era), place, situation in which a literary work takes place.
34
Atmosphere:
The emotional feelings a work creates.
35
Pathetic Fallacy
When the natural world reflects emotions/events in the human world. (i.e. rain at a funeral.)
36
Dramatic Irony:
A reader or audience member perceives something that a character in the story does not.
37
Situational Irony:
A situation in which actions have an effect that is opposite from what was intended; result in a contrary outcome.
38
Verbal Irony:
A writer or speaker says one thing and means something entirely different.
39
Foreshadowing:
When writers give hints about what is going to happen.
40
Point of View:
The vantage point from which a narrative is told. First person: Objective, told from the perspective of a character using “I.” Second person: Directed to a reader or audience. Uses “you.” Third person: Told from the outside. Most common. Use “he,” “she,” etc.
41
Tone:
The attitude a writer takes toward his/her subject, characters, and readers. Can amuse, anger, shock the reader.
42
Mood:
Feeling created in a reader
43
Imagery:
Words that appeal to the senses. (especially visual.)
44
Suspense:
Tension in the reader.
45
Legend:
A non-historical or unverifiable story handed down by tradition, often fables, or telling stories concerning lives of heroes, saints, etc.
46
Juxtaposition:
Contras
47
Hyperbole
Exaggeration for effect.
48
Paradox
A statement that appears contradictory but contains truth.
49
Synecdoche:
Using a part to represent the whole. (i.e. give me a hand.)
50
Hero Pattern (11 steps)
- Noble Birth - Disadvantaged youth - Separated from home - Has antagonists - Has Helpers - Goes on a long journey - Has a romantic interest - Has confrontation with powers of darkness - Returns home - Achieves kingship or superior place in community - The good get rewarded and the evil get punished