Literary Analysis, Drama, Psychoanalysis, and Poetic Devices

Vocabulary flashcards covering literary approaches, elements and features of a one-act play, Freudian psychoanalytic theory, metrical rhythm patterns, and poetic sound devices.

Literary Approach

A particular method or perspective used to analyze, interpret, and understand a work of literature by focusing on specific aspects such as themes, characters, language, historical context, or social issues.

Psychological Approach

A literary approach that explores the thoughts, emotions, motivations, and behaviors of characters, often using psychological theories to explain their actions.

Historical Approach

A literary approach that interprets a literary work by considering the historical events, culture, and time period in which it was written or set.

Biographical Approach

A literary approach that analyzes a literary work by relating it to the author's life, experiences, beliefs, background, and overall body of work.

Marxist Approach

A literary approach that examines literature through the lens of class struggle, power, labor, wealth, and economic inequality.

Sociological Approach

A literary approach focusing on how literature reflects, critiques, or influences society, social institutions, cultural norms, and relationships among people.

One-Act Play

A short play that usually lasts between $10$ and $40$ minutes (or performed within $20$ to $60$ minutes) with a single plot, setting, theme, and no subplots.

Script

The dialogue-based presentation of a drama or comedy which, when performed by actors on a stage, is called a play.

Playwright

A writer or screenwriter who lays out their vision in a script and provides the director, designers, and actors with a roadmap for stage production.

Stage Directions

Instructions from the playwright about movements, actions, tone, scenery, lighting, and other performance details.

Id

Described by Freud (1923) as the reservoir of libido and an obscure, inaccessible part of personality governed by the pleasure principle, knowing no values, morality, or unified will.

Ego

The rational governing agent of the psyche governed by the reality principle, representing good reason and good sense to regulate the instinctual drives of the id.

Superego

The moral censoring agency and repository of conscience and pride governed by the morality principle, serving to inhibit or repress the drives of the id.

Rhythm

The ordered alternation of strong and weak elements in the flow of sound and silence.

Iamb

A metrical foot in poetry consisting of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable ($\text{da-DUM}$).

Trochee

A metrical foot in poetry consisting of a stressed syllable followed by an unstressed syllable ($\text{DUM-da}$).

Spondee

A metrical foot in poetry consisting of two consecutive stressed syllables ($\text{DUM-DUM}$).

Anapest

A metrical foot in poetry consisting of two unstressed syllables followed by a stressed syllable ($\text{da-da-DUM}$).

Dactyl

A metrical foot in poetry consisting of a stressed syllable followed by two unstressed syllables ($\text{DUM-da-da}$).

Sound Device

A literary tool employed in verse plays, poetry, and prose to emphasize various sonic elements through sound repetition, rhythm units, or sound mimicry.

Alliteration

A sound device involving repeated initial consonant sounds in multiple words.

Consonance

A sound device involving repeated consonant sounds in multiple words.

Assonance

Also known as 'vowel rhyme,' a sound device featuring repeated vowel sounds in multiple words regardless of their placement.

Rhyme

The similarity of sounds based on pronunciation or sound rather than spelling.

End Rhyme

The similarity of sounds at the end of two consecutive lines of poetry.

Alternate Rhyme

The similarity of sounds at the end of two alternating lines of poetry.

Internal Rhyme

The similarity of sounds in the middle and at the end of a single line of poetry.

Onomatopoeia

A word derived from the Greek words 'onoma' ('name') and 'poiein' ('to make'), literally meaning 'to make a name (or sound)' by mimicking natural sounds.