Learn: Key Literary Terms and Devices for British Literature Analysis | Quizlet

Irony

A contrast or difference between expectation and reality (dramatic, situational, or verbal).

Mood

The overall feeling or atmosphere a text creates for the reader.

Protagonist

The main character or hero of the story.

Setting

The specific time and place where a story happens.

Symbolism

Using a physical object, person, or situation to represent a deeper abstract idea.

Theme

The underlying central message or deep meaning about life in a story.

Tone

The author's attitude toward the subject matter or audience.

Allegory

A work that symbolizes or represents an idea or event.

Allusion

An indirect reference to a person, place, thing, event, or idea.

Anthropomorphism

The interpretation of a nonhuman animal, event, or object as embodying human qualities or characteristics.

Paradox

An apparent contradiction that, upon further unraveling, may contain truth, used for effect on the reader.

Satire

A phrase or entire work that uses irony to critique behaviors, events, people, or vices.

Synecdoche

An instance of a part representing a whole or vice versa.

Hyperbole

Extreme exaggeration used for emphasis or humor.

Alliteration

Repeating the same beginning consonant sound in nearby words.

Metaphor

Comparing two things directly without using 'like' or 'as'.

Onomatopoeia

Using words that imitate actual sounds.

Personification

Giving human traits to non-human objects or ideas.

Simile

Comparing two things using the words 'like' or 'as'.

Climax

The most exciting or intense point of a story where the main conflict is decided.

Conflict

The struggle between opposing forces, which can be internal or external.

Exposition

The introduction of background information, setting, and characters at the start of a work.

Foreshadowing

Dropping subtle hints or clues about events that will happen later.

Resolution

The final outcome or untangling of events at the end of a story.

Antagonist

The character or force working against the main character.