A reference in one literary work to another work of art, literature or historical figure / event.

Example:

There is an allusion to Pslam 137 in the title of "By the Waters of Babylon". The story relates to the pslam, both tell of what can happen when humans begin to think of themselves as god-like.

"Harrison Bergeron" alludes to the goddess of the hunt and the moon, Diana, when it names the handicapper general Diana Moon Glampers, after the ruthless goddess.

The attribution of human characteristics to something that is nonhuman.

Example:

The world view of religion is personified in the father and the world view of science is personifed in the mother in "Why the Geese Shrieked".

The atmosphere or a pervading tone of a story.

Example:

The mood in "The Lottery" is a creepy one.

George Burns and Gracie Allen had this show and it is alluded to in "Harrison Bergeron" when Hazel does the same thing that Gracie does at the end of every show.

"You can say that again!"

"Good night, Gracie."

A thing that represents or stands for something else.

Example:

The different colored jackets that Tigo and Dave wear in "The Last Spin" symbolize their differences.

The use of humor and exaggeration to expose and criticize vices.

Example:

"Harrison Bergeron" is an example of a satire.

A story that can be read on two levels.

1. Literal: The surface level (straightforward storyline).
2. Figurative: The deep, metaphorical level.

Example:

"Allegory of the Den" is an example of an allegory.

Laws enacted that mandated racial segregation in public places.

Example:

Willie questions Jim Crow-type attitudes in "The Homecoming".

When authors provide clues for the reader to use to be able to predict what might occur later on in the story.

Example:

 In "The Lottery", there is foreshadowing when the author focuses on Tessie and how she is late and does not take the lottery seriously. Later, it focuses on her again when she is the one chosed to be stoned.

Something that seems like a contradiction on the surface, but actually conveys a truth.

Example:

 The prisoner in "Allegory of the Den" does not originally want to go out of the den, but feels like he should. He wants to, but at the same time, does not want to.

The expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite.

Example:

 "Harrison Bergeron" shows irony when it disapproves of no individuality, but, in actuality, sends the message through satire that individuality is actually good.

A unifying idea repeated or developed throughout a novel.

Example:

Any moral or message in any of the stories.

A cartoonist known for his depictions of complex gadgets that performed simple tasks in indirect ways.

Example:

He is referenced in "Harrison Bergeron" and his cartoons are compared to the various handicaps that people are forced to wear.

The code name for the American project set up in 1942 to develop an atom bomb.

Example:

In "By the Waters of Babylon", it seems as though the author is referring to the results of the atom bomb that the Manhattan Project first constructed. However, the story was written before the Manhattan Project even started.

A recurring element or theme.

Example:

Algernon in "Flowers for Algernon" is a motif that occurs throughout the story.

A type of novel that focuses on a coming of age.

Example:

Because of the boy's transformation from boy to man in "By the Waters of Babylon", it can be seen as a bildungsroman.

A serious disagreement or argument.

Example:

There is a huge conflict in "Why the Geese Shrieked" between the mother and the father.

A professor who believes that there are many different types of intelligences.

Example:

We talked about this when we read "Flowers for Algernon" because Charlie may have been intelligent in a different way than what he was tested in.

The attainment of spiritual knowledge or insight.

Example:

The prisoner in "Allegory of the Den" is enlightened after leaving the den for the first time.

A man who developed a test where people look at inkblots and say what immediately comes to mind.

Example:

Charlie has to take the Rorschach test before he is able to undergo the procedure.

• In "Allegory of the Den", the prisoner does not like the sun at first because its bright light blinds him.
• However, as time passes, his eyes adjust and he realizes that the truth of the sun is better than the falseness of the fire.
• It symbolizes the new knowledge.

• The prisoner in "Allegory of the Den" has lived in a den all throughout his life.
• When he leaves, he is enlightened and finds truth.
• It symbolizes the way of life that people are stuck in before they can be enlightened.

To maintain the status quo is to keep things the way that they currently are.

Example:

The status quo in "The Homecoming" was that blacks were not worthy of equal rights. Willie challenges this.

• In "The Homecoming", "boy" is used as a derogatory term to address Willie, as though he is not worthy of being addressed as a man.
• In "By the Waters of Babylon", "boy" is used to describe the protagonist at the beginning, but after his journey, he has the right to be called a man.

A medal that is given to people who serve that are wounded or killed in action.

Example:

In "The Homecoming", Willie, a highly decorated officer, recieves a Purple Heart for his leg injury.

The unwritten rules of society.

Example:

• In "Allegory of the Den", the social norm is that you stay inside the cave and play the shadow game.
• In "The Lottery", the social norm is that lotteries are conducted each year.