Tones and terms List #3

A set of flashcards covering key literary terms and definitions for exam preparation.

What is a conceit in poetry?

An extended metaphor with complex logic that compares two vastly different things.

Define inexorable.

Impossible to stop or prevent; unyielding or relentless.

How is abject used in a sentence?

It describes a situation or condition that is extremely bad, unpleasant, and degrading.

What does ambiguity mean?

The quality of being open to more than one interpretation; uncertainty in meaning.

What does it mean to be erudite?

Having or showing great knowledge or learning.

What is a proclivity?

A natural or habitual inclination or tendency, especially toward something objectionable.

Define reticent.

Reserved or restrained in speech; reluctant to share thoughts or feelings.

What does disparate mean?

Essentially different in kind; not allowing for comparison.

What is a digression?

A temporary departure from the main subject in speaking or writing.

Define repudiation.

Rejection or denial of the truth or validity of something.

What is an elegy?

A poem of serious reflection, typically a lament for the dead.

What does aloof mean?

Distant, reserved, or indifferent in manner or attitude.

What is meant by elegiac?

Relating to or characteristic of an elegy; mournful, melancholic.

What does ineffectual mean?

Not producing the desired effect; lacking the ability or qualities to cope with a role.

Define whimsical.

Playfully quaint or fanciful; unpredictable in an appealing way.

What does sentimental refer to?

Promoted by feelings of tenderness, sadness, or nostalgia, often excessively.

Define serendipity.

The occurrence of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way.

What is the antithesis in literature?

A rhetorical device where two opposite ideas are contrasted in a sentence.

What is an epiphany?

A sudden realization or insight into the essence or meaning of something.

Define realism in literature.

A literary movement focused on depicting everyday activities without idealization.

What does dramatic shift mean in literature?

A significant change in tone, perspective, or plot within a literary work.

Define tumultuous.

Loud, excited, or disorderly; describes emotional or chaotic scenes.

What is idealism?

The practice of forming or pursuing ideals, often contrasted with realism.

What is a heroic epic?

A long narrative poem about a hero and his exploits, often exploring good vs. evil.

Define pastoral elegy.

A poem that mourns a person's death while idealizing rural life and nature.

What does resignation mean?

Acceptance of something undesirable but inevitable, often implying passive endurance.

What is an ode?

A type of lyrical stanza, often written in praise of someone or something admired.

Define consonance.

The repetition of consonant sounds in close proximity, often at the end or middle of words.

What is a loose or cumulative sentence?

A sentence that begins with an independent clause and then adds detail.

Define periodic sentence.

A sentence that withholds its main idea until the end, often for emphasis.