Short Stories

Question 1

Define: Protagonist

Answer 1

the central character (person, animal, or personified object) in the plot’s conflict.

Question 2

Define: Antagonist

Answer 2

the force in conflict with the protagonist. It may be society, nature, or fate, as well as another person. It can also be the protagonist’s own self, if he or she has an internal conflict.

Question 3

Define: foil character

Answer 3

a character whose traits are in direct contrast to those of the principal character. The foil therefore highlights the traits of the protagonist. The foil is usually a minor character, although if there are two protagonists, they may be foils of each other.

Question 4

Define: flat character

Answer 4

a character who is not fully developed; we know only one side of the character.

Question 5

Define: round character

Answer 5

a character who is fully-developed, with many traits–bad and good–shown in the story. We feel that we know the character so well that he or she has become a real person.

Question 6

Define: imagery

Answer 6

Visually descriptive or figurative language in a literary work.

Question 7

Define: Flashback

Answer 7

When an earlier event is inserted into the normal chronological order of a narrative.

Question 8

Define: Climax

Answer 8

The most exciting, intense, or thrilling point in a literary work. It is often a turning point or pivotal moment in a story.

Question 9

Define: Conflict

Answer 9

A struggle between two opposing forces: this may be between two characters, or it may be between a character and some other force.

Question 10

Define: Setting

Answer 10

The time and place in which the events of a work of literature take place.

Question 11

Define: Simile

Answer 11

An indirect comparison where two unrelated objects are being compared to each other. The comparison relies on the words “like” or “as.”

Question 12

Define: Symbol

Answer 12

the use of an object to represent a concept

Question 13

Define: Personification

Answer 13

giving human attributes to nonhuman objects.

Question 14

Define: Diction

Answer 14

the linguistic choices made by a writer to convey an idea or point of view, or tell a story, in an effective way. The author’s selection of words or vocabulary and the artistic arrangements of these words is what constitutes the style and establishes the voice of a literary work.

Question 15

Define: Foreshadowing

Answer 15

any time the writer hints towards later events in the story, often underscoring the story’s suspense and conflict.

Question 16

Define: Climax

Answer 16

the most intense point of the story, where the main conflict reaches its peak. It’s the moment of greatest suspense and emotion, often resulting in a significant change for the protagonist.

Question 17

Define: Juxtaposition

Answer 17

the placement of contrasting ideas next to each other, often to produce an ironic or thought-provoking effect.

Question 18

Define: Exposition

Answer 18

this part of the story introduces the characters, setting, and initial situation.

Question 19

Types of conflict

Answer 19

Person v person, person v self, person v nature, man v society, man v fate, man v machine

Question 20

First person perspective

Answer 20

When the story is told by one of its characters, using the pronoun “I” which does not give the reader insight into other characters’ motives or thoughts.

Question 21

Third person perspective

Answer 21

When the author limits him/herself to reporting what the characters say or do; he or she does not interpret their behavior or tell us their private thoughts or feelings.

Question 22

Omniscient Narrator

Answer 22

When the author knows all (godlike) and is free to tell us anything, including what the characters are thinking or feeling and why they act as they do.

Question 23

Define: Dynamic Character

Answer 23

a character that is changed by the actions in which he or she is involved

Question 24

Define: Static Character

Answer 24

a character that remains unchanged or little changed throughout the course of the story

Question 25

Define: Characterization

Answer 25

the method by which an author creates the appearance and personality of imaginary persons. The author may choose to tell the reader what a character is like through narration, show what a character is like through actions and dialogue, or have the character reveal him/herself through inner thoughts.

Question 26

Define: Motivation

Answer 26

the psychological and moral impulses and external circumstances that cause a character to act, think, or feel a certain way.

Question 27

Reliable Narrator

Answer 27

Trustworthy

Question 28

Unreliable Narrator

Answer 28

untrustworthy

Question 29

Naive Narrator

Answer 29

is uncomprehending (child, simple-minded adult) who narrates the
story without realizing its true implications.

Question 30

Define: Suspense

Answer 30

quality that makes the reader or audience uncertain or tense about the outcome of events.

Question 31

Define: Theme

Answer 31

an abstract idea that emerges from a literary work’s treatment of its subject matter, or a topic recurring in a number of literary works.. Themes include love, war, revenge, betrayal, fate, etc.

Question 32

Rising Action

Answer 32

The part of a plot that leads through a series of events of increasing interest and power to the climax or turning point. The rising action begins with an inciting moment

Question 33

Define: Allusion

Answer 33

an indirect or passing reference to an event, person, place or artistic work that the
author assumes the reader will understand.

Question 34

Connotation

Answer 34

the range of further associations that a word or phrase suggests in addition to its straightforward dictionary meaning.

Question 35

Denotation

Answer 35

the precise, literal meaning of a word, without emotional associations or overtones.

Question 36

Dramatic Irony

Answer 36

a situation in which the audience knows more about a character’s situation than the character does, foreseeing an outcome contrary to the character’s expectations.

Question 37

Mood

Answer 37

the prevailing emotional attitude in a literary work, for example, regret, hopefulness, bitterness, etc.