Final Exam Study Guide: Grammar, Literature, and Poetry

Prepositional phrases

Common prepositions that help indicate relationships in time and space.

Common Prepositions

in, on, at, by, for, with, about, under, over, between, during, across, near, through, since, among.

Adverbs

Words that describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Often answer how, when, where, or to what extent.

Examples of Adverbs

quickly, very, always, yesterday, here, almost.

Grammatical errors

Mistakes in sentence structure that need to be identified and corrected.

Comma splices

Errors that occur when two independent clauses are joined with a comma without a coordinating conjunction.

Run-on sentence

A sentence that connects two independent clauses without proper punctuation or conjunction.

FANBOYS

A mnemonic for coordinating conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.

Root Words

Basic words from which other words are formed, often with Greek or Latin origins.

Artic

Greek root meaning 'Bear/Relating to the North Pole'.

Bromine

Greek root meaning 'Stench, bad smell'.

Calli-

Greek root meaning 'White, beautiful'.

Diameter

Greek root meaning 'Through, across, apart'.

Eme-

Greek root meaning 'Vomit'.

Fantasy

Greek root meaning 'To show, to appear'.

Hept-

Greek root meaning 'Seven'.

Acrimonious

Latin root meaning 'Sharp, bitter, pungent'.

Burse

Latin root meaning 'Purse, bag, pouch'.

Dub-

Latin root meaning 'Doubtful'.

Feroc-

Latin root meaning 'Fierce, savage'.

Host-

Latin root meaning 'Stranger, enemy'.

Lacrim-

Latin root meaning 'Cry, tears'.

Oner-

Latin root meaning 'Burden, load'.

Fort-

Latin root meaning 'Strong'.

Judic-

Latin root meaning 'Judge'.

Mult-

Latin root meaning 'Much, many'.

Amor-

Latin root meaning 'Love'.

Brev-

Latin root meaning 'Short, brief'.

Cili-

Latin root meaning 'Eyelash, eyelid'.

Dorm-

Latin root meaning 'Sleep'.

Meaning

Use surrounding words to define unknown vocabulary.

Tone

The author's attitude toward the subject or audience.

Imagery

Descriptive language that appeals to the senses.

Alliteration

Repetition of initial consonant sounds.

Stanza

A grouped set of lines in a poem.

Onomatopoeia

A word that imitates a sound.

Couplet

Two lines that rhyme and go together.

Repetition

Repeating words or phrases for effect.

Sound

Elements that appeal to hearing: rhyme, rhythm, meter.

Quatrain

A stanza of four lines, often with a rhyme scheme.

Theme

A message that a reader can learn from a story or text.

Rules of Theme

Not a cliché, written as a complex sentence, universal (applies to many people and situations).

Fear of growing up

Can lead individuals to resist change and isolate themselves from others.

Emotional Instability

When people suppress their grief instead of facing it, it can cause emotional instability and confusion.

Holden's Grief

Holden struggles with the death of his brother Allie, which influences many of his actions and breakdowns.

Loneliness in Authenticity

Those who long for authenticity in a superficial world often experience loneliness and disconnection.

Holden's Search for Genuine People

Holden searches for genuine people but feels alone because he sees most interactions as phony.

Temporary Innocence

Even though innocence is temporary, trying to preserve it can reveal deep emotional truths about human nature.

Catcher in the Rye

Holden's dream of being the 'catcher in the rye' shows his desire to protect purity and simplicity in a changing world.

Red Hunting Hat

Represents Holden's uniqueness and need for security. He wears it when he's vulnerable.

Museum of Natural History

Symbolizes Holden's desire for things to stay the same - unchanging and predictable, unlike life.

Ducks in the Lagoon

Symbolize change, uncertainty, and Holden's curiosity about survival and where things go when life gets tough.

The Catcher in the Rye Symbol

Symbolizes Holden's desire to protect childhood innocence and stop kids from falling into the adult world.

Holden's Expulsion

Holden is expelled from Pencey Prep (not his first expulsion).

Fight with Stradlater

He fights with his roommate Stradlater over Jane Gallagher.

Travel to New York City

Leaves Pencey early and travels to New York City.

Hotel Encounters

Stays in a hotel, meets various people including a prostitute and two nuns.

Struggles with Adulthood

Struggles with adult situations and feels disconnected.

Date with Sally Hayes

Calls and meets old friend Sally Hayes but ends the date badly.

Memories of Allie

Recalls memories about his younger brother, Allie, who died of leukemia.

Emotional Breakdown

Has an emotional breakdown and sneaks home to see Phoebe.

Fantasy of Catcher

Reveals his fantasy of being the 'catcher in the rye.'

Zoo Carousel

Takes Phoebe to the zoo and watches her ride the carousel.

Theme of Tyranny

When people let fear of tyranny outweigh reason, they may justify immoral actions as necessary for the greater good.

Brutus's Conspiracy

Brutus joins the conspiracy, believing Caesar's ambition is dangerous—even without proof.

Ambition and Power

Ambition can lead individuals to seize power, but it also invites mistrust, betrayal, and destruction.

Caesar's Assassination

Caesar's rise sparks fear among the Senate, ultimately leading to his assassination.

Manipulative Rhetoric

Manipulative rhetoric can be more powerful than violence in shaping public opinion and controlling society.

Mark Antony's Speech

Mark Antony's funeral speech turns the crowd against the conspirators using emotional and persuasive language.

Loyalty to Ideals

Loyalty to ideals can blind people to the consequences of their actions and cause harm to those they meant to protect.

Brutus's Choices

Brutus is loyal to Rome, but his choices lead to civil war and the deaths of many—including himself.

Soothsayer's Warning

Symbolizes fate and the idea that destiny cannot be escaped, no matter how powerful someone is.

Calpurnia's Dream

Symbolizes a bad omen and Caesar's unavoidable downfall. Her vision of Caesar's statue bleeding warns of his assassination.

The Crown

Represents power, ambition, and the temptation of absolute rule. Caesar refuses it publicly, but his actions raise suspicion.

Fake Letters

Symbolize manipulation and deception. They are used to influence Brutus's decision to join the conspiracy.

Ghost of Caesar

Represents guilt and fate.

Brutus

Noble, dignified; Loyal, conflicted, honorable, idealistic, guilt-ridden; Friend of Caesar, joins the conspiracy out of belief in Rome's good.

Cassius

Strong, persuasive; Jealous, manipulative, cynical, ambitious; Leader of the conspiracy, skilled in rhetoric.

Mark Antony

Charismatic, energetic; Loyal to Caesar, passionate, clever; Skilled orator, turns public opinion against conspirators.

Calpurnia

Caesar's wife (no detailed physical description); Worried, intuitive, loving; Tries to warn Caesar about his assassination.

Holden Caulfield

Tall, skinny, red hunting hat; Conflicted, depressed, anxious, nostalgic, lonely, rebellious; Intelligent, judgmental, sensitive, protective of innocence, unreliable narrator.

Phoebe Caulfield

Young, small, bright eyes; Caring, mature for her age, happy, curious; Holden's younger sister, represents innocence and hope.

Allie Caulfield

Red hair; Kind, gentle, smart; Symbol of innocence and loss, deeply missed by Holden.

Stradlater

Handsome, well-groomed; Confident, careless, somewhat selfish; Holden's roommate, represents the 'phony' adult world.

Julius Caesar

Powerful, commanding presence (not deeply described physically); Ambitious, confident, somewhat arrogant; Leader of Rome, seen as a potential tyrant by conspirators.

Simile in 'The Fish'

"his brown skin hung in strips / like ancient wallpaper."

Metaphor in 'The Fish'

"a five-haired beard of wisdom" compares the fish's hooks to a wise old beard.

Personification in 'The Fish'

"victory filled up / the little rented boat" gives victory human-like action.

Theme of 'The Fish'

True strength lies in survival and dignity, even in defeat.

Personification in 'The Guitar'

"It weeps monotonously / As weeps the water."

Metaphor in 'The Guitar'

"A wounded heart, / Wounded by five swords" symbolizes sorrow.

Imagery in 'The Guitar'

"Warm southern sands / Desiring white camellias" evokes a sense of longing.

Theme of 'The Guitar'

Unexpressed sorrow can echo endlessly, even through art.

Onomatopoeia in 'Jazz Fantasia'

"bang-bang!" mimics drum sounds.

Metaphor in 'Jazz Fantasia'

"moan like an autumn wind" compares music to wind.

Imagery in 'Jazz Fantasia'

"a red moon rides on the humps of the low river hills" paints a vivid scene.

Theme of 'Jazz Fantasia'

Art reflects the chaos, sorrow, and beauty of human emotion.

Metaphor (The Weary Blues)

"He made that poor piano moan with melody"

Simile

"He slept like a rock or a man that's dead"

Theme (The Weary Blues)

Music becomes a voice for pain and a temporary escape from suffering.