Details Title: American Lit terms Description: literature terms Total Flash Cards: 50 Created: 09/09/2009 12:29:13		New Users: To study from this flashcard set, or to create your own your own study flash cards, REGISTER HERE. Existing Users: CLICK HERE. Additional Literature Flashcards
Cards in this set: Term Allegory Definition A literary work in which persons, events, objects represent or stand for something else Term Allusion Definition An indirect or casual reference to a famous person, event, or literary work with which the reader is assumed to be familiar Term Analogy Definition A point-by-point comparison by 2 dissimilar things for the purpose of clarifying the less familiar Term Antagonist Definition Rival or opponent of the Protagonist Term Atmosphere Definition Prevailing mood created by setting a tone; emotional background Term Characterization Definition Techniques employed by the author to develop the characters 5 methods: phys. description, dialogue, actions, reactions of others' thoughts/feelings Term Climax Definition Point of highest intensity or turning point of the action Term Conflict Definition Struggle between opposing forces: External- Human v. Human, Human v. Nature, Human v. Society Internal- Human v. Him/Herself Term Connotation Definition Emotional response evoked by a word Term Denotation Definition Objective dictionary definition Term Dialogue Definition Conversation between 2 or more characters Term Diction Definition Writer's choice of words; a significant component of style Term Dramatic Irony Definition Irony perceived by an audience; when a character makes statements not fully understood by the character; when the reader knows information that the character doesn't Term Empathy Definition Sharing physical and emotional feelings Term Exposition Definition Background information; information necessary to the reader placed in the story Term Extended Metaphor Definition Two unlike objects comapared at some length Term Fable Definition A brief tale in prose or poetry Term Figurative Language Definition Language that's not meant to be taken literally Term Flashback Definition An interruption in the narrative flow in order to present scenes or incidents that occurred prior to the work Term Foil Definition One character presents a striking contrast to another Term Foreshadowing Definition Hints or clues of what will occur later in the narrative Term Genre Definition Categories of literary works Term Hyperbole Definition Figure of speech characterized by exaggeration- not to be taken literally Term Imagery Definition Words or phrases which create vivid sensory impressions Term Inference Definition Something implied, not stated Term Irony Definition A rhetorical device in which the author conveys a meaning just the opposite of what is said or expected Term Maxim Definition A brief, concise statement usually containing practical wisdom or advice Term Metaphor Definition A figure of speech implying a comparison between objects of different classes or categories by saying one object is another Term Mood Definition Feeling or atmosphere the author creates Term Motif Definition Recurring thematic element i.e. death or music, etc. Term Naturalization Definition Realistic fiction developed in France, America, and England in the late 19th century. Human beings are like puppets: controlled by external and internal forces. No free will. Term Parable Definition A short story told to illustrate a moral lesson, such as "The Good Samaritan" Term Paradox Definition A statement that appears to be absurd or self-contradictory, but is true on a higher level Term Parody Definition A humorous literary work that ridicules a serious work by imitating and exaggerating its style Term Pathos Definition Feeling of great empathy Term Plot Definition Planned sequence of events in fiction Term Point of View Definition Vantage point of the author; 1st person, 3rd person limited, and 3rd person omniscient Term Protagonist Definition Central character; opposite of the Antagonist Term Realism Definition Truthful imitation of actual life; important literary movement in the latter half of the 19th century Term Resolution Definition Denouement; final unraveling of the plot Term Rhetorical Question Definition A question posed which doesn't expect an answer Term Romanticism Definition Movement in the arts in the 19th century in which writers glorify nature, idealized the past, and celebrated human expression; emotional rather than reasonable Term Satire Definition Use of sarcasm or irony to ridicule; foolish ideas are ridiculed for the purpose of improving Society Term Simile Definition A figure of speech in which one object is said to be like another Term Setting Definition Time and place; also social and moral environment Term Stereotype Definition Something which conforms to a fixed or general pattern without distinguishing qualities; a standardized mental picture Term Stream of Consciousnesses Definition Interior monologue; inner thoughts recorded, but not structured Term Symbolism Definition One object stands for something greater Term Theme Definition Universal truth contained in a work- not just a word Term Tone Definition Author's attitude toward the subject and/or audience; author's mood and moral view