VOCABULARY AND LITERARY TERMS

SwamperDefinition: a handyman; someone who

performs odd jobs often involving cleaningEx. John Smith was the swamper that

worked cleaning the bunkhouse.

Stable BuckDefinition: Stable buck is a black man who

works in a stable.Ex. Stable bucks were common in 1900’s

when there were lots of slaves.

Skinner Definition: a person who drives draft

animals such as mules or oxen.Ex. In the desserts of Brazil there are

many skinners.

Migrant Definition: a person or animal that change

its location for more advantages, such as climate or work place.

Ex. Ducks are migrating birds.

Bindle Definition: a bag on a stick, normally

carried by a hobo.Ex. He left home only with a bindle.

PugnaciousTough and callous by virtue of

experienceExample: His

glance was at once calculating and pugnacious.

Recession Definition: when the economic situation of

a country enters for several months a decline ratio of two consecutive quarters of growth in its GDP (gross domestic products).

Ex. In 2008 USA had a recession in its economy.

DouseWet thoroughlyHis head still dripped water from the

dousing.

FawningAttempting to win favor by flatteryExample: Lennie

gulped and his smile grew more fawning.

Crestfallen low in spiritExample: Candy was crestfallen when

he died.

Reluctantly Definition: unwilling, struggling in

opposition.Ex. A reluctant husband.

DerogatoryDefinition: critical or disrespectful.Ex. A derogatory term used to describe

someone’s race or background.

ConcealingDefinition: to keep secret, hide, withdraw

or remove from observation.Ex. People conceal secrets from whom

they don’t trust.

Persuasive Definition: good at persuading someone to

do or believe something.Providing evidence or reasoning that

makes you believe something.Ex. Lawyers are persuasive.

BelligerentlyDefinition: Hostile and aggressive.Ex. Tomas looked at David belligerently.

Setting Definition: the setting of the story is the

time, space and environment in which a story takes place.

Ex. The setting of Lord of the Rings is middle earth.

Imagery Definition: the forming of mental images

or figures with interaction of other senses. Ex. While reading a good book, we tend to

have imagery of characters.

ThemeDefinition: a comment thread or repeated

idea that is incorporated throughout the literary work. The author uses character, plot and other literary devices to set the main idea of the story.

Ex. The theme of Titanic is love.

MoodDefinition: the way the author makes you

feel when reading the story.

Simile Definition: a word or phrase that

compares one thing to another of a different kind.

Symbolism Definition: the use of symbols to represent

ideas or qualities.Ex. Symbolism is used a lot in chatting.