english lit terms #1

myth–

fictional tale that describes the actions of gods and heroes, or explains the causes of natural phenomena

archetype –

type of character, detail, image, or symbol that appears in literature throughout history and have a universal importance (Ex: beggar, hero, journey to the underworld)

epic –

a long narrative poem about the deeds of gods or heroes. Epics generally contain the following elements: a hero on a quest, legends of the past, continuing battles between good and evil, supernatural elements

epic hero –

the larger-than-life character in an epic. Through behavior and deeds, they display qualities that are valued by their society. SEVEN main characteristics

in medias res – (“in the middle of things”) –

much of the important action in the story occurred before the point at which the story begins; therefore, the epic hero’s adventure is told in a flashback.

flashback –

an account of an event that happened before a story began

hubris –

excessive pride or vaulting ambition

omen -

the use of an animal or aspect of nature to foretell an event; a sign-indicates if the event will be good or evil

personification –

animal, object, etc. given human qualities or characteristics

poetic justice –

when a character gets what he deserves,

foreshadowing –

hint of things to come

allusion –

reference to a well-known person, place, event, literary work, or work of art

symbolism –

a symbol is an object, person, place etc. that means more than what it is

conflict -

the struggle between opposing forces or characters in a story.

Internal conflict -

a character struggles with his or her own opposing desire, beliefs, or needs (man vs. self)

External Conflict -

a character struggles against an outside force (man vs. man, nature, society)

plot -

the series of related events in a story or play, sometimes called the storyline.

A. Exposition –

Introduces characters, conflict, and setting

B. Rising Action –

Suspense increases, learn more about

C. Climax –

turning point, main event of story

D. Falling Action –

suspense decreases, learn

E. Denouement –

the end, loose ends are tied up

ballad –

a short musical narrative song or poem that usually recounts a single exciting or dramatic episode

blank verse –

poetry written in unrhymed iambic pentameter lines

prose –

the ordinary form of spoken or written language without metrical structure

syntax -

sentence structure

context –

set of facts or circumstances surrounding an event or a situation in a piece of literature

idiom –

a saying that takes on special meaning, different from the actual words that make it up (e.g. It is raining cats and dogs.)

irony -

a difference between appearances and reality.

dramatic irony –

contradiction between what a character thinks and what the reader of audience knows to be true

situational irony –

when the actual outcome of a situation is the opposite of

C. verbal irony –

words used to suggest the opposite of what is meant