Film and Literature Key Terms

A set of flashcards reviewing key vocabulary terms and concepts in the context of film and literature from the lecture notes.

What is the definition of "The Human Condition"?

The universal experiences, emotions, struggle, and challenges that people face throughout life, such as long, loss,fear etc the search for meaning.

What is "Human Nature"?

The natural qualities, behaviors, thoughts, and emotions that are common to human beings.

What is meant by the "Duality of Man"?

The idea that people can have two Opposing sides to their personality or character such as good and evil Kindness and cruelty or even selfless or selfish.

How is "Social Justice" defined?

The idea that all people should have equal rights, opportunities, and fair treatment and society, regardless of their background or circumstances.

What is "Fascism"?

A political system that promotes extreme nationalism, a powerful authorized leader and strict control of society Often suppressing individual freedom and opposing political opposition.

What is "Genocide"?

The deliberate and systematic attempt to destroy in whole or in part a natonal, ethnic racial, or religious group.

What is a "Rite of Passage"?

An important or significant event or experience that marks a stage of growth or transition in a character’s life.

How is "Eastern Philosophy" described in the notes?

Philosophical ideas and beliefs from eastern cultures that explores life, morality spirituality and the nature of existence.

How is "Western Philosophy" described in the notes?

Western Philosophy ideas and beliefs from western cultures that explore knowledge, morality, reason, existence and even human nature.

What is a "Theme" in literature and film?

The main idea, message, even underlying meaning explored in a film or literary work.

What is "Symbolism"?

The use of an object, character, setting or action to represent a deeper meaning or idea.

What is "Plot (noun)"?

The sequence of events in film or literary work that make up a story and move it from the beginning to end.

How is "Modernism" defined?

A movement in literature and film that challenged traditional ideas and explored new ways of expressing human experiences and society.

What is "Post Modernism"?

A style in literature and film that questions traditional ideas and often mixes different styles, perspectives,genres or realities.

What is an "Archetype"?

A common character, symbol or story pattern that appears across many different cultures and works of literature and film.

What is a "Motif"?

A recurring element, such as an image, object even as an idea or phase that helps develop a story’s theme or meaning.

What is the "Hero’s Journey"?

A common story structure in which a hero leaves their ordinary world, faces challenges, changes through their experiences and eventually returns.

What is the concept of "Sins of the Father"?

The idea that the mistakes, wrongdoing you can guess or even consequences of a parent or previous generation can affect their children or later generations.

What are "Aesthetics" in the context of film and literature?

The qualities of a film literary work that create a particular sense of beauty, style, mood, or visual appeal.

What is a "Trope"?

A common or recognizable idea, character type, situation, storytelling device used in films and literature.