Introduction to Literature and History Flashcards

Flashcards covering literary analysis concepts, historical context, major authors, and literary terms from the Week 1 lecture notes.

How does literature allow us to experience history differently than a set of facts or dates?

Literature allows us to experience history as lived events through the eyes of characters, helping us imagine what it felt like to struggle, hope, or celebrate.

What ancient work is believed to have originated from oral traditions recited by bards?

Homer's ancient work The Iliad.

Which famous work by Harriet Beecher Stowe helped capture the nation's attention regarding the evils of slavery?

Uncle Tom's Cabin.

What is the goal of literary analysis?

To present a thoughtful, well-supported interpretation that deepens understanding and appreciation by examining how a text is written and why an author makes certain choices.

What is the primary difference in reading speed between reading for pleasure and reading critically?

When reading for pleasure, one reads quickly to follow the plot; when reading critically, one reads more slowly and/or rereads to examine how the text works.

In academic writing, why are direct quotations significant?

They serve as proof for claims about themes, characters, or symbols and allow the reader to verify that an interpretation is grounded in the actual words of the work.

What is the definition of 'misattribution' in the context of academic writing?

Misattribution occurs when a quotation is incorrectly credited to the wrong author or text.

What is the definition of 'fabrication' in the context of academic writing?

Fabrication occurs when a quote is attributed to a source but does not exist in that source, or the wording differs significantly.

According to APA guidelines for the course, what citation information is needed for a work from the textbook?

Author's last name, year of original publication, year the textbook was published, and the page number (e.g., Bierce, 1891/2023, p. 303).

What is a signal phrase?

A phrase used to introduce a direct quotation to provide context and indicate the source.

In what year and where was Ambrose Bierce wounded during the Civil War?

Bierce was wounded in 1864 at Kennesaw Mountain.

What did Frederick Douglass do when his owner, Hugh Auld, forbade him from being taught to read?

Douglass found other ways to teach himself literacy.

What was the name of the publication founded by Frederick Douglass in Rochester, New York?

The North Star.

What does the 'American Renaissance' (1825–1865) represent in literature?

The emergence of an authentic American voice and identity distinct from Europe, reflecting on democracy, spirituality, and individuality.

Which literary movement (1900–1950) is characterized by a rejection of traditional styles and focus on disillusionment?

Modernism.

Who were the 'Lost Generation' of the 1920s?

American writers and artists living as expatriates in Europe (especially Paris) who were disillusioned with American society after World War I.

What significant achievement did Art Spiegelman’s graphic novel Maus reach in 1992?

It became the first graphic novel to win the Pulitzer Prize.

What is 'Postmodernism' in literature?

A literary movement emerging after WWII that challenges traditional truths, embracing multiple perspectives, fragmented identities, and open-ended meanings.

What is the difference between a novel and a short story based on the Edgar Allan Poe criteria?

A novel is approximately 40,000+ words; a short story is 500 to 10,000 words and can be read in a single sitting of two hours or less to create a 'single effect.'

What is the difference between internal and external historical context?

Internal context refers to the time period and societal rules within the story itself; external context refers to the real-world issues occurring when the author was writing.

Name the five phases of a plot in order.

Exposition, Rising Action, Climax or Turning Point, Falling Action, and Denouement or Resolution.

Define a 'dynamic character.'

A character who undergoes significant internal change as a result of the events of a story.

What does the acronym STEAL stand for in indirect characterization?

Speech, Thoughts, Effect on others, Actions, and Looks.

Who is the 'antagonist' in a literary work?

The person or force that works against the protagonist to form the conflict; if the conflict is internal, the protagonist and antagonist are the same person.