narrative (test 2) Flashcards
what is a theme?
An idea about the world, expressed by a literary text, of general importance to people
what is a setting?
The time and place in which the events of a story happen
what is the atmosphere?
The emotional content of a scene or setting, usually described in terms of feeling: sombre, gloomy, joyful, expectant
what is characterization?
The representation of people in fiction—the characters and the way the writer develops them to represent certain human qualities
what is a protagonist?
The main character in a short story or novel
what is the antagonist?
The character (or a force such as war or poverty) in a work of fiction whose actions oppose those of the main character
what is a foil?
A character, usually a minor one, who emphasizes the qualities of another one through implied contrast between the two
what is a dynamic character?
A character who changes significantly over the course of a story
what is a static character?
A character who does not change over the course of a story
what is a round character?
A character with sufficient complexity to be convincing, true to life
what is a flat character?
A stereotyped or shallow character, not seem as complex as a real person
what is the plot?
A series of causally related events or episodes that occur in a narrative
what is the subplot?
Secondary plot in a novel or play, usually reinforcing the main theme but sometimes just providing interest, excitement, or comic relief
what is the exposition?
That part of a plot devoted to supplying background information (sometimes through flashbacks but not always), explaining events that happened before the current action
what is the rising action?
The part of a plot concerning the development of complications and conflicts leading to the climax
what is the climax?
The point toward which the action of a plot builds as the conflicts become increasingly intense or complex; the turning point
what is the falling action/denouement?
The part of a story after the climax, in which the consequences of the conflict are revealed; where the conflict is resolved
what is a conflict?
The antagonism between opposing characters or forces that causes tension or suspense in the plot
what is a closed ending?
A story ending in which all important conflicts are resolved and all significant questions are answered
what is an open ending?
A story ending in which some important conflicts are left unresolved or significant questions are not answered
what is a flashback?
Part of a narrative that interrupts the chronological flow by relating events from the past
what is foreshadowing?
Early clues about what will happen later in a story
what is situational irony?
Lack of agreement between expectation and reality in relation to a specific situation
what is dramatic irony?
A difference between what a character knows or believes and what the better-informed reader or audience knows to be true
