English Literature and Poetics Review

A comprehensive set of question and answer flashcards covering literary terms, plot structure, types of conflict, context, deixis, poetic devices, meter, and poetic feet from the lecture notes.

What is the general definition of literature provided in the notes?

Literature encompasses all written work.

What does Panchatantra mean and where did it originate?

Panchatantra means "Five Treatises" or "book of Wisdom" and originated in India.

How is a flat character defined in plot analysis?

A flat character is a one dimensional character.

What characterizes a dynamic developing character?

A dynamic developing character undergoes internal changes.

What is a parallel plot?

A parallel plot consists of two or more dramatic plots.

What is the function of the exposition in a plot?

Exposition provides a comprehensive explanation of ideas, introducing characters, setting, and basic context.

What role does the inciting incident play in a story?

The inciting incident starts the problem.

How are rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution defined in plot structure?

Rising action is a series of events and challenges; climax is the most intense, highest point of action; falling action leads to the solution; resolution is the ending where the problem is solved.

What is conflict, and what are the specific conflict types listed?

Conflict is the struggle or problem. Types include: Character vs self (self-guilt, fear), Character vs character (hero fighting villain), Character vs Society (questioning an unfair system), Character vs Nature (floods etc.), Character vs Technology (gadgets), and Character vs supernatural (vampires, ghosts etc.).

What are the definitions given for perch and intense?

Perch means to sit or rest, and intense means very strong.

How do stories and poems differ according to the text?

Stories present events, while poems use figurative language.

What is a trope?

A trope is when one thing creatively suggests another meaning.

What is local color in literary style?

Local color refers to specific details, characteristics, culture, and dialects used by various authors.

What is the difference between biographycal context and sociocultural context?

Biographycal context refers to the author's life experiences, whereas sociocultural context refers to cultural factors and beliefs molding a state.

What are cultural norms?

Beliefs and traditions that characterize a society.

What is deixis, what is its language origin, and why do poets use it?

Deixis comes from a Greek word meaning pointing or indicating; poets use deixis to make poetry feel personal.

What are the three types of deixis mentioned in the notes?

Person Deixis (narrator or speaker), Temporal Deixis (time: Now, Then, Today), and Spatial Deixis / Place (place: here, there).

How are metaphor and simile defined and distinguished?

A metaphor directly compares two things, whereas a simile uses "like and as".

What is personification?

Giving human actions and feelings to non-human entities.

What is antithesis, and how does contrast aid the reader?

Antithesis places opposite ideas together, and contrast helps readers better understand the message of the poem.

What is the distinction between tone and mood?

Tone is the attitude or feeling expressed by the writer, while mood refers to the feelings of the reader.

What is meter in poetry?

Meter is the rhythmic pattern or beat that creates flow and musicality.

What is a foot in poetry?

A foot is the smallest unit of poetic meter.

What are the four types of poetic feet and their given examples?

1. Iambic: unstressed + stressed (example: re LAX); 2. Trochee: stressed + unstressed (example: Table); 3. Dactyl: stressed + unstressed + unstressed (example: CAmouflage); 4. Anapest: unstressed + unstressed + stressed (example: InterVENE).

What are the names of poetic meters based on the number of feet?

Monometer (1), Dimeter (2), Trimeter (3), Tetrameter (4), Pentameter (5), Hexameter (6), Heptameter (7), and Octameter (8).

What is rhyme, and what place does it hold among poetic devices?

Rhyme is the repetition of syllables and is described as the first poetic device.

What is a maxim?

A maxim is a short saying with advice.

What is a universal truth?

A fact that is true for all.

How is philosophy defined in the notes?

Philosophy is a belief about life.