My Name is Leon Vocabulary- Grades 4-9 Flashcards
Tier 3- Whole Text
Symbol
STARSIGNS
Something that represents something else in a text
Plants seem to symbolise growth in the novel; like children, they need basics like food and water but also to be nurtured and cared for.
Tier 3- Whole Text
Theme
STARSIGNS
A literary theme is the main idea or underlying meaning a writer explores in a novel, short story, or other literary work.
Some of the prominent themes in My Name is Leon are childhood, racism, and belonging.
Tier 3- Whole Text
Atmosphere
STARSIGNS
The atmosphere in literature is the way an author uses setting, objects, or internal thoughts of characters to create emotion, mood, or experiences for the reader.
During the riots, the atmosphere is tense.
Tier 3- Whole Text
Reader
STARSIGNS
The general repsonse someone reading the text will have. You can discuss using modal verbs.
The reader might feel concern for Leon at this point in the text.
Tier 3- Whole Text
Setting
STARSIGNS
Where the novel is set.
The historical setting of the novel, in 1980s Birmingham, means that ideas about racism and prejudice underpin the whole text.
Tier 3- Whole Text
Imagery
STARSIGNS
Visually descriptive language
The allotments are generally described using peaceful imagery, emphasising the harmonious and includive nature of the setting.
Tier 3- Whole Text / Genre
Genre
STARSIGNS
A category of literature.
My Name is Leon falls into the genres of realist fiction, historical fiction, and a bildungsroman.
Tier 3- Whole Text
Narrative Perspective
STARSIGNS
The point of view a story is told from
De Waal’s choice of narrative perspective affects who the reader sympathises with.
Tier 3- Whole Text
Structure
STARSIGNS
The organization and ordering of a story’s various elements, including plot, characters, and themes.
The structure of My Name is Leon is developed to build sympathy for the character of Leon.
Tier 3- Narrative Voice
Limited third person
A text is written in third person (he/she), but we only know what the central protagonist knows, when they know it.
De Waal’s choice to use limited third person narrative persepctive means that we emphasie even more with the character of Leon, as we see events through his eyes.
Tier 3- Structure
Freytag’s Pyramid
A structure of a narrative, where the entire plot is driven by a conflict—the protagonist is on a quest to achieve something. The structure is in 5 parts:
Introduction
Rise
Climax
Fall
Catastrophe
De Waal follows Freytag’s pyramid, as the novel is driven by Leon’s desire to reconcile with Jake.
Tier 3- Structure
Exposition
The opening of the novel where key characters and settings are introduced.
In the exposition of the novel, we see the unusual family dynamic.
Tier 3- Structure
Climax
The high point of tension in the novel
The climax seems to be the riots, where we worry whether Leon will be harmed or even killed.
Tier 3- Structure
Denouement
Also called resolution
the final part of a narrative in which the strands of the plot are drawn together and matters are explained or resolved.
The denouement happens in the last chapter; Leon’s unconventional foster family and allotment friends come together to celebrate the royal wedding.
Tier 3- Structure
Chronological Narrative
Also called linear narrative
When events are told in time order
The **chronological narrative **makes the events of the novel seem believable.
Tier 3- Structure
Flashback
Also called shift in time
When the narrative returns to an event which happened in the past; the chronological order is broken.
The flashbacks to Leon’s childhood emphasise the tempestuous nature of his father and the mental fragility of Carol.
Tier 3- Structure
Juxtaposition
A complete contrast
Carol’s neglectful mothering is juxtaposed with Maureen’s traditional maternal instincts.
Tier 3- Characterisation
Characterisation
The way a character is presented
The characterisation of Sylvia makes her likeable for older readers, although younger readers may not understand her behaviours as well.
Tier 3- Characterisation
Internal Conflict
Internal conflict refers to the problems or conflict happening inside a character, for example uncertainty and fear.
The character of Leon is presented as having internal conflict with his family; he cannot accept Muareen’s care until he has recognised that he cannot live with his mother.
Tier 3- Characterisation
External Conflict
External conflict refers to the problems happening outside of the central character, for example, a social injustice.
In the novel, we see the **external conflict **of racism and prejudice run as a subplot.
Tier 3: Characterisation
Interpersonal Conflict
Interpersonal conflict refers to any type of conflict involving two or more people.
The** interpersonal conflict** between Devlin and Tufty builds tension, and makes the reader feel uncomfortable.
Tier 3- Characterisation
Archetype
Easily recongisable characters in literature who fulfil who fulfill specific roles within the plot or conflict and help develop the literary work’s theme, meaning, or purpose.
Maureen fulfils the role of archetypal caregiver in the novel, looking after Leon and nurturing him.
Tier 3- Characterisation
Archetypal caregiver
A character who cares for, protects, and nurtures others.
Maureen fulfils the role of archetypal caregiver in the novel, looking after Leon and nurturing him.
Tier 3- Characterisation
Archetypal Innocent
The Innocent is pure, virtuous and faultless, free from the responsibility of having done anything hurtful or wrong.
As a child, we can argue that Leon is an archetypal innocent: he is pure and good, and only tainted by society.
Tier 3- Characterisation
Archetypal Sage
A mentor; the character that the hero or heroine turns to when they need help overcoming obstacles; the character who teaches them.
Tufty seems to be the archetypal sage: he does not just teach Leon about his cultural history and gardening, but also how to respond to prejudice and disappointments in life.
Tier 3- Structure
Hero’s Journey
Also called a monomyth
The common template of stories that involve a hero who goes on an adventure, is victorious in a decisive crisis, and comes home changed or transformed.
My Name is Leon follows the structure of a hero’s journey, although his adventure and crisis is grounded in the real, rather than the supernatural.
Tier 3- Characterisation
Foil Character
In any narrative, a foil is a character who contrasts with another character in order to better highlight or differentiate certain qualities of the protagonist.
Maureen is presented as a foil character to Carol, in order to explore ideas about motherhood.
