Literature notes: Unit 1

recurring or emerging ideas in a work

theme

language used on more than one level of meaning (i.e. symbolism, simile, metaphor, etc.)

figurative language

an expressed comparison using the words “like” or “as”

simile

a suggested comparison that compares two dissimilar things

metaphor

a statement that seems to be self-contradictory but actually make sense when understood in the right context

paradox

a particular type of comparison that is generally paradoxical, draws comparisons between two highly dissimilar elements

conceit

use of repeated words or phrases throughout a work

repetition

similarity in the structure of two or more phrases, clauses or sentences

parallelism

refers to words that are pleasant and musical to the ear

euphony

describes language generating the opposite effect, that of harshness or dissonance

cacophony

the original subject being described (direct comparison not using “like” or “as”)

tenor

the image the tenor is being compared to

vehicle

metaphors that are indirectly conveyed

implied comparison

metaphor developed beyond a single sentence or comparison

extended metaphor

a type of extended metaphor that has multiple layers of meaning and symbolism (The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe)

allegory

an expression in which a related thing stands for the thing itself

metonymy

uses a part of something to stand for the whole

synecdoche

gives human characteristics to something not human

personification

literature that addresses an absent person, abstraction, or object

apostrophe

theme- God created everything with their own unique abilities; appreciation for all created things

author- william cowper

the nightingale and the glowworm

theme- animals (specifically highlighted blue jays) can talk to humans and understand them

author- mark twain

what stumped the blue jays

theme- the men are trying to get back to their fort, but they have to build rafts and get through the water falls while being hungry

author- kenneth roberts

the return of the rangers

theme- old age; positive view of old age; as you get older you gain more wisdom

author- edmund waller

the souls dark cottage

theme- mother talking to son about how life isn’t no crystal stair and to keep climbing no matter how hard life gets

author- langston hughes

mother to son

leader of the harlem literary renaissance

langston hughes

theme- we have to show God’s truth not just talk about it

author- george herbert

the windows