Literary Vocabulary and Descriptions

Vocabulary terms and descriptive language extracted from the lecture notes to aid in literary analysis and comprehension.

slovenly

Untidy and dirty in habits or appearance.

penurious

Extremely poor; poverty-stricken.

insensate

Lacking physical sensation or unfeeling.

tumult

A loud, confused noise, especially one caused by a large mass of people.

sullen

Bad-tempered and sulky; gloomy.

frenzy

A state or period of uncontrolled excitement or wild behavior.

contemporaries

People living or existing at the same time as another.

contempt

The feeling that a person or a thing is beneath consideration, worthless, or deserving scorn.

eloquently

In a fluent or persuasive manner.

dismantle

To take apart a machine or structure.

cordial

Warm and friendly.

simpering

Smiling or speaking in a coy or ingratiating manner.

derisively

In a manner expressing contempt or ridicule.

perturbed

Anxious or unsettled; upset.

pompously

In a self-important or arrogant manner.

ingenuous

Innocent and unsuspecting.

tranquility

The quality or state of being calm.

composure

The state or feeling of being calm and in control of oneself.

capricious

Given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior.

congenial

Pleasant because of a personality, qualities, or interests that are similar to one's own.

ostentatious

Characterized by vulgar or pretentious display; designed to impress or attract notice.

endeavored

Tried hard to do or achieve something.

engrossed

Having all one's attention or interest absorbed by someone or something.

hostility

Hostile behavior; unfriendliness or opposition.

conclusively

In a decisive way that settles an issue.

esteem

Respect and admiration, typically for a person.

enthralled

Captured the fascinated attention of.

dross

Something regarded as worthless; rubbish.

frivolity

Lack of seriousness; lightheartedness.

disparage

To regard or represent as being of little worth.

superimposed

Placed or laid one thing over another.

colloquial

Used in ordinary or familiar conversation; not formal or literary.

superficial

Existing or occurring at or on the surface; lacking depth.