Tropes Flashcards
Adynaton
Form of hyperbole that is so extreme it is impossible
“It’s easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than a sinner to get into heaven”
Allusion
Reference to another work of literature
“This place is like a Garden of Eden” alluding to Book of Genesis — specifically religious allusion
Analogy
Comparison similar features of two different things
“The structure of the atom is like the solar system”
Anthimeria
Using a word in a grammatical form other than standard usage
“The new buds knuckled the naked branches”
Knuckled usually a noun but here is a verb
Anthropomorphism
Ascribing human traits to non-humans
(Personification metaphorically applies human traits to non-humans
But anthropomorphism is when non-humans act like humans)
Antonomasia
When an epithet replaces a proper name
“The Big Apple” for new york city
“The boy who lived” for harry potter
Cliché
When an expression is overused to the point of ineffectiveness
“Red as a rose”
Conceit
Extended and elaborate metaphor used throughout a poem or passage
Double entendre
A phrase which has two meanings
(One obvious , one hidden)
Dysphemism
Opposite to euphemism
Where an extreme phrase replaces a more moderate / accurate phrase
“She bodied that feature, she murdered everyone on that track”
Euphemism
Replacing a harsher word with a harmless one
“My brother passed away”
Pataphor / extended metaphor
A metaphor that elaborates betond a single phrase
And built across multiple lines and passages
Hypallage
When an adjective describes a noun it doesn’t literally refer to
“Restless night” — the night itself wasn’t restless , it was the person
Hyperbole
- exaggeration
Source of criticism, mockery, or intrigue
Hypophora
When a writer poses a question, then immediately answers their question
Innuendo
An implication to something that cannot be overtly said
Often implying something negative, politically incorrect, or sexual
Verbal irony
When what is said is not what is meant
Dramatic irony
When the audience knows something the character doesn’t
Situational irony
When there is a big difference between the expected outcome of a situation and the actual outcome
Irony
An inconsistancy in a straightforward statement undermined by its context
Kenning
Circumlocution from compound description which replaces a single noun
He is the feeder of the bloody battle axe = he is a warrior
The clashing ring-feast of the darken day = midwinter festival
Malaphor
Two common idioms or phrases used together
to make a new metaphorical meaning
“We’ll burn that bridge when we get to it” = we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it + burning bridges
Meiosis
A euphemism that intentionally understates something
“The pond” for the Atlantic ocean
Merism
Referencing something by describing its parts/descriptors
“Flesh and bone” = body
“Search every nook and cranny” = search everywhere
