Literary TermsLiterary Terms

Characters: Characters: People, animals that take part in People, animals that take part in

storystory

ANTAGONIST-ANTAGONIST- character working against character working against the main character; the main character; usually evil, can be force usually evil, can be force of natureof nature

PROTAGONISTPROTAGONIST- - main main character of story, herocharacter of story, hero

DYNAMIC-DYNAMIC- character character who changes throughout who changes throughout storystory

STATIC -STATIC - character who character who does NOT change does NOT change throughout storythroughout story

ROUND-ROUND- character who character who has many traits; we get to has many traits; we get to know this charac. in-know this charac. in-depthdepth

FLAT-FLAT- character who is character who is described more simplydescribed more simply

CharacterizationCharacterization

There are four ways that an author There are four ways that an author develops characters:develops characters:– Through their actionsThrough their actions– Through their speechThrough their speech– Through their thoughtsThrough their thoughts– Through what others say about themThrough what others say about them

ConflictConflict

Struggle between two opposing forcesStruggle between two opposing forces6 main types of conflict6 main types of conflict– man vs. manman vs. man man vs. nature man vs. nature– man vs. self man vs. self man vs. society man vs. society– (man vs. technology)(man vs. technology) (man vs. (man vs. supernatural)supernatural)

Each type falls into one of two categories:Each type falls into one of two categories:– external- conflict between an outside force and the external- conflict between an outside force and the

main charactermain character– internal- one occurs within a characterinternal- one occurs within a character

ThemeTheme

Main ideas in a work of literatureMain ideas in a work of literature

Usually about life or human natureUsually about life or human nature

A message, meaning, or moral the author A message, meaning, or moral the author wants you to learnwants you to learn– Examples: Loyalty, friendship, overcoming Examples: Loyalty, friendship, overcoming

obstaclesobstacles

Point of ViewPoint of View

First PersonFirst Person– character in story is character in story is

telling the storytelling the story

– I, me, myI, me, my

– reader only knows reader only knows what the narrator is what the narrator is thinkingthinking

3rd Person3rd Person– Storyteller is NOT one Storyteller is NOT one

of the charactersof the characters

– He, she, theyHe, she, they

– Reader gets to know Reader gets to know the thoughts of many the thoughts of many characterscharacters

FLASHBACKFLASHBACK

Something that Something that happened before happened before the beginning of a the beginning of a storystory

FORESHADOWINGFORESHADOWING

use of clues to hint at use of clues to hint at events that will occur events that will occur later in the plotlater in the plot

ImageryImagery

Imagery:Imagery:– The use of detailed descriptions to paint a The use of detailed descriptions to paint a

picture. picture. – Imagery appeals to the five senses. Imagery appeals to the five senses. – Authors usually use sight imagery, but can be Authors usually use sight imagery, but can be

sound, taste, touch, or smell imagery.sound, taste, touch, or smell imagery.

IronyIrony

Situational Irony: A contrast between what Situational Irony: A contrast between what is expected to happen and what actually is expected to happen and what actually does.does.

Verbal Irony: A contrast between what is Verbal Irony: A contrast between what is said and what is meant.said and what is meant.

Dramatic Irony: When the reader knows Dramatic Irony: When the reader knows something that other characters do not.something that other characters do not.

SettingSetting

TimeTime and and PlacePlace of action of the story of action of the story

It is important to the events and outcomes It is important to the events and outcomes of the story.of the story.

The setting is both large and small in The setting is both large and small in scopescope

MetaphorMetaphor

A comparison A comparison withoutwithout the use of like or the use of like or as.as.

e.g., Life is but a dream.e.g., Life is but a dream.

PersonificationPersonification

When an author gives human qualities to When an author gives human qualities to nonhuman things.nonhuman things.

e.g., The wind cried in the dark.e.g., The wind cried in the dark.

SimileSimile

A comparison of two different things or A comparison of two different things or ideas through the use of the words “like” or ideas through the use of the words “like” or “as.” “as.”

e.g., The warrior fought like a lion.e.g., The warrior fought like a lion.

ToneTone

Attitude a writer takes towards a subjectAttitude a writer takes towards a subject

Reflects the feelings of a writerReflects the feelings of a writer

Can be sarcastic, humorous, serious,etc.Can be sarcastic, humorous, serious,etc.

ToneTone

The atmosphere in a literary work or the The atmosphere in a literary work or the attitude the author puts in a literary work.attitude the author puts in a literary work.

Ex. The gloom and representation of Ex. The gloom and representation of decay is the main tone of Poe’s decay is the main tone of Poe’s The Fall of The Fall of the House of Usher.the House of Usher.

MoodMood

The feeling or atmosphere that the author The feeling or atmosphere that the author creates creates for the readerfor the reader..

Do not confuse Mood with Tone. Do not confuse Mood with Tone.

The mood is the feeling The mood is the feeling youyou are supposed are supposed to get when reading the story.to get when reading the story.

SubjectSubject

The general topic, content, and ideas The general topic, content, and ideas contained in the text. contained in the text.

Ask: “What topics are addressed?” There Ask: “What topics are addressed?” There is always more than one topic.is always more than one topic.

Sometimes the topics are inferred (not Sometimes the topics are inferred (not clearly stated).clearly stated).

SpeakerSpeaker

The speaker is the voice that tells the The speaker is the voice that tells the story. The narrator and the author are story. The narrator and the author are usually not the same.usually not the same.

AudienceAudience

The audience is the group of readers to The audience is the group of readers to whom the piece is directed. The audience whom the piece is directed. The audience may be one person, a small group or a may be one person, a small group or a large group; it may be a certain person or large group; it may be a certain person or people.people.

OccasionOccasion

The time and place of the piece; the The time and place of the piece; the current situation. It is the context that current situation. It is the context that encouraged the writing to happen.encouraged the writing to happen.

Ask: “Why here? Why now?” Sometimes it Ask: “Why here? Why now?” Sometimes it is not obvious.is not obvious.

PurposePurpose

The purpose is the reason behind the text.The purpose is the reason behind the text.

For example: to inform, to persuade, to For example: to inform, to persuade, to entertain, to gain sympathy, to encourage, entertain, to gain sympathy, to encourage, to gain support, etc.to gain support, etc.

to + a strong verb to + a strong verb

AllusionAllusion

When an author refers to characters or When an author refers to characters or events from history or other pieces of events from history or other pieces of literatureliterature

e.g., She was beautiful like Venus, the e.g., She was beautiful like Venus, the Goddess of love.Goddess of love.

SymbolSymbol

PersonPerson

PlacePlace

Event orEvent or

Object that stands for something beyond Object that stands for something beyond itselfitselfExample: a bird in a cage would symbolize lost Example: a bird in a cage would symbolize lost

freedomfreedom

AnaphoraAnaphora

Repetition of a word or group of words Repetition of a word or group of words within a short section of writing.within a short section of writing.

Ex. “A time to be born, and a time to die; a Ex. “A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted.” – Ecclesiastes 3:2which is planted.” – Ecclesiastes 3:2

EuphemismEuphemism

Substituting a milder word or phrase for Substituting a milder word or phrase for one that might be offensive or harsh.one that might be offensive or harsh.

Ex. “passed away” for “died”; “previously Ex. “passed away” for “died”; “previously owned” for “used.”owned” for “used.”

PunPun

A play on words which are identical or A play on words which are identical or similar in sound but which have sharply similar in sound but which have sharply diverse meanings.diverse meanings.

Puns may have serious or humorous uses.Puns may have serious or humorous uses.

E.g., In E.g., In Romeo and JulietRomeo and Juliet as Mercutio is as Mercutio is dying, he says, “Ask for me tomorrow and dying, he says, “Ask for me tomorrow and you shall find me a you shall find me a gravegrave man.” man.”

ApostropheApostrophe

A form of personification in which the A form of personification in which the absent or dead are spoken to as if presentabsent or dead are spoken to as if presentOrOrThe inanimate is spoken to as if it is The inanimate is spoken to as if it is animate (alive).animate (alive).e.g., The answer, my friend, is blowing in e.g., The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind.the wind.

AsyndetonAsyndeton

A style that omits conjunctions between A style that omits conjunctions between words, phrases, or clauses (opposite of words, phrases, or clauses (opposite of polysyndetonpolysyndeton). ).

"They dove, splashed, floated, splashed, "They dove, splashed, floated, splashed, swam, snorted."swam, snorted."(James T. Farrell, (James T. Farrell, Young LoniganYoung Lonigan) )

PolysyndetonPolysyndeton

A style that employs many conjunctions : A style that employs many conjunctions : for, and, nor, but, or, yet, sofor, and, nor, but, or, yet, so

Ex. "We lived and laughed and loved and Ex. "We lived and laughed and loved and left."left."(James Joyce, (James Joyce, Finnegans WakeFinnegans Wake) )

Diction Diction (contributes to Tone)(contributes to Tone)

An author's choice of words. Since words have An author's choice of words. Since words have specific meanings, and since one's choice of specific meanings, and since one's choice of words can affect feelings, a writer's choice of words can affect feelings, a writer's choice of words can have great impact in a literary work. words can have great impact in a literary work. Ex. Discussing his novel "A Farewell to Arms" Ex. Discussing his novel "A Farewell to Arms" during an interview, Ernest Hemingway stated during an interview, Ernest Hemingway stated that he had to rewrite the ending thirty-nine that he had to rewrite the ending thirty-nine times. When asked what the most difficult thing times. When asked what the most difficult thing about finishing the novel was, Hemingway about finishing the novel was, Hemingway answered, "Getting the words right." answered, "Getting the words right."

InferenceInference

The act of drawing a conclusion that is not The act of drawing a conclusion that is not actually stated by the author. actually stated by the author.

Ex. In the Ex. In the PigmanPigman, John and Lorraine are , John and Lorraine are writing a “memorial epic” about Mr. writing a “memorial epic” about Mr. Pignati. Therefore, the reader may Pignati. Therefore, the reader may logically assume that Mr. Pignati dies in logically assume that Mr. Pignati dies in the book.the book.

ParallelismParallelism

The repetition of similarly constructed The repetition of similarly constructed phrases, clauses, or sentences within a phrases, clauses, or sentences within a short section.short section.

Ex. “Government of the people, by the Ex. “Government of the people, by the people, and for the people…”; “when I was people, and for the people…”; “when I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child…” I a child, I thought as a child…” I Corinthians 13:11Corinthians 13:11

RepetitionRepetition

Repeating of a word or phrase for stylistic Repeating of a word or phrase for stylistic effect. effect.

Ex. “When I was a child, I spake as a Ex. “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child…” I Corinthians 13:11a child…” I Corinthians 13:11

Style Style (Diction and Syntax)(Diction and Syntax)

The way an author chooses and uses words, The way an author chooses and uses words, phrases, and sentences to tell the story. phrases, and sentences to tell the story. Ex. In an action/adventure story, the author may Ex. In an action/adventure story, the author may use simple words and short choppy sentences, use simple words and short choppy sentences, because this style moves the story along because this style moves the story along quickly. quickly. In a story about a college professor, the same In a story about a college professor, the same author may choose to use polysyllabic, author may choose to use polysyllabic, unfamiliar words, and long, convoluted unfamiliar words, and long, convoluted sentences.sentences.How it looks on the page and how it is read.How it looks on the page and how it is read.

SyntaxSyntaxThe ordering of words into meaningful verbal The ordering of words into meaningful verbal patterns such as phrases, clauses, and patterns such as phrases, clauses, and sentences. sentences. Poets often manipulate syntax, changing Poets often manipulate syntax, changing conventional word order, to place certain conventional word order, to place certain emphasis on particular words. Emily Dickinson, emphasis on particular words. Emily Dickinson, for instance, writes about being surprised by a for instance, writes about being surprised by a snake in her poem "A narrow Fellow in the snake in her poem "A narrow Fellow in the Grass," and includes this line: "His notice sudden Grass," and includes this line: "His notice sudden is." In addition to the alliterative hissing s-sounds is." In addition to the alliterative hissing s-sounds here, Dickinson also effectively manipulates the here, Dickinson also effectively manipulates the line’s syntax so that the verb is appears line’s syntax so that the verb is appears unexpectedly at the end, making the snake’s unexpectedly at the end, making the snake’s hissing presence all the more "sudden." hissing presence all the more "sudden."