[Marsh] - 11th Grade English Midterm Study Guide

protagonist

protagonist

The main character in a literary work, the character that the reader feels for or identifies with. A given work may have more than one potential of these, but there can only be one in any given reading/interpretation.

antagonist

The adversary of the protagonist. May be an abstract force such as nature or society depending on the conflicts that drive the narrative. A protagonist, however, cannot be their own *term*.

round/complex

A character whose characterization develops multiple character traits

flat/simple

A character whose characterization develops a single salient character trait

dynamic

A character who is observed to change in reaction to the events of the narrative

static

A character who does not change in reaction to the events of the narrative

foil

A minor and flat character whose salient trait strongly contrasts with the traits of the protagonist

mirror

A minor and flat character whose salient trait reflects a trait of the protagonist

archetypal

A character who embodies a certain kind of universal human experience observed in literature across different times and cultures

stock

A character based on literary stereotypes more narrowly defined within a specific culture

direct

Type of characterization where the author states directly what sort of person the character is. (Only possible in 2nd or 3rd person, typically via literal or figurative language)

indirect

Type of characterization where:

- Opinions that other characters suggest about the character

- The thoughts and feelings of the character

- The actions or speech acts of the character

connotation

Includes the emotional or associative connections associated with words. (The connections come from shared social knowledge or euphonious/cacophonous sounds)

denotation

The exclusive specific meaning of the word in context (puns, etymology, structure, etc.)

concrete/sensory

Words that are associated with sensory perceptions.

imagery

visual, auditory, gustatory, olfactory, tactile, or kinesthetic descriptions

abstract

Refers to concepts that cannot be perceived with the senses. (love, honor, courage)

register

Refers to the type of words that are chosen based on the social setting in which you are communicating (low/informal, middle/neutral, or high/formal)

dialect

Language that differs from the "standard" use established by the groups that hold power in a particular society

idioms

a figure of speech that is exclusive to speakers of a specific language group

colloquialism

an idiom that is exclusive to a specific time or place

euphamism

an idiom that serves to soften a socially awkward situation

motif

A pattern of diction or narrative detail in a text that gains significance through repetition.

archetypes

patterns that have been repeated so often within (and occasionally across) cultural tradition that they trigger automatic abstract associations.

allusion

specific references to a cultural event (including historical events) or a body of well known literature.

dramatic episode

A scene within a narrative focusing on the actions and interactions of characters to develop the plot

plot

The sequence of events and scenes of which a story is composed - may be linear or nonlinear

story

The organic structure of events as they would logically occur in chronological order

exposition

The start of the story; the beginning before the action starts

rising action

The series of conflicts and crises in the story that lead to the climax

climax

The turning point; the most intense moment, either mentally or in action in relation to the conflicts of the story

falling action

All of the action that follows the climax; the fallout of the conflict

resolution

The conclusion; the tying together of all the threads

denoument

The very end of the story; this end does not always tie up loose threads like a resolution

inciting incedent

A type of dramatic episode in which conflict is introduced, initiating the rising action

epiphany

A realization on the part of a character that changes their understanding of themselves or their world - often related to narrative conflicts, and usually occurring in relation to the climax or some point afterwards.

deus ex machina

A sudden and unexpected resolution, often brought about by divine intervention or outside forces

vignette

A short scene about a brief period in time, sometimes unconnected to the larger plot of the story

linear/chronological narrative

A plot presented in chronological order

nonlinear narrative

Events in the plot are presented out of order

flashback

A jump in a narrative to a prior scene in a story

foreshadowing

A hint about future events in the story

frame narrative

A narrative format where an initial narrative provides the basis, or frame, for the conveyance of other stories - the narrative section is completed with a return to the initial narrative. Often, but not always, a character within the narrative acts as an explicit storyteller to convey the other story or stories.

in media res

A type of non-linear narrative structure where the plot begins in the "middle" of a story - flashbacks are usually necessary to help the reader understand the events that have led up to the current action

epigraph

A short quotation at the beginning of a book or chapter that provides insight to the theme or other elements of understanding.

prologue

An introductory section before the first chapter of the text - it may be part of the main narrative

epilogue

A final section after the last chapter of the text

epistolary narrative

A story told through letters

bildungsroman

A coming-of-age story where the protagonist undergoes a major change