Literature as History and Mathematical Perspectives Flashcards

Flashcards covering literary analysis definitions, historical contexts of American literature, APA citation rules, and specific author biographies from the lecture notes.

What is the core difference between reading for pleasure and reading critically?

Reading for pleasure focuses on relaxation and personal connection, while reading critically involving slowing down to examine patterns, symbols, and the author's purpose.

What does the acronym STEAL stand for in the context of indirect characterization?

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

How is a novella defined in terms of word count?

A work of fiction between $10,000$ and $40,000$ words in length.

What is the difference between internal and external historical context?

Internal historical context refers to the time period and societal rules within the story, while external context refers to the time period when the author was actually writing.

Which 1852 novel by Harriet Beecher Stowe helped spark social change regarding slavery?

Uncle Tom's Cabin

What is 'misattribution' in academic writing?

When a quotation is incorrectly credited to the wrong author or text, such as citing a textbook for a line that appears in a chapter not included in that edition.

In APA style, what abbreviation should be used for a single page number versus multiple page numbers?

Use $p.$ for a single page and $pp.$ for multiple pages.

What are the five phases of a plot in order?

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

What is the defining characteristic of a 'round character'?

A well-developed, layered character who shows a wide range of emotions and motivations, appearing authentic to the reader.

How did the American Civil War ($1861 \rightarrow 1865$) influence the work of Ambrose Bierce?

Bierce enlisted in the Union army and saw some of the bloodiest battles, including being wounded at Kennesaw Mountain in $1864$, which influenced his concise, journalistic style.

What was the 'Missouri Compromise'?

An agreement reached by Congress in $1820$ after the territory of Missouri wanted to join the Union as a slave state in $1818$, representing an early attempt to address the slavery issue.

What literary movement (popular between $1900$ and $1950$) is known for rejection of traditional styles and themes of disillusionment?

Modernism

According to the notes, why is Art Spiegelman's 'Maus' considered groundbreaking in its genre?

It was the first graphic novel to win the Pulitzer Prize (in $1992$) and used animal symbolism to portray the Holocaust.

What is the difference between a protagonist and an antagonist?

The protagonist is the main character whom the reader roots for, while the antagonist is the person or force (internal or external) working against the protagonist.

In what year did Frederick Douglass escape from slavery and move to New Bedford, Massachusetts?

September $3$, $1838$

What is 'Postmodernism' in literature?

A movement emerged after World War II that challenges traditional truths and embraces multiple perspectives, fragmented identities, and open-ended meanings.

What specific signal should be used if you need to modify a quote to retain proper grammar?

Square brackets $[]$ should be placed around the modified section.

According to psychoanalytic theory, what might a 'locked room' symbolize in a literary work?

Hidden memories or secrets.

What defines a 'Short Story' according to Edgar Allan Poe?

A work approximately $500$ to $10,000$ words in length that can be read in a single sitting and creates 'a single effect.'

Who founded the publication 'The North Star'?

Frederick Douglass