Vocab 17

anachronism

A person, scene, event, or other element in literature that fails to correspond with the time or era in which the work is set. Example: Uni of Wittenburg

malapropism

The act or habit of misusing words ridiculously, especially by confusion of words that are similar in sound. Example: 'He's the pineapple of politeness' instead of 'pinnacle of politeness'.

amplification

The use of bare expressions likely to be ignored or misunderstood by a hearer or reader because of bluntness; emphasis through restatement with additional details. Example: 'She's smart,' could be amplified to 'She's incredibly smart, with an IQ of 150 and a master's degree.'

bowdlerize

To remove parts of a work of literature that are considered indecent. Example: A classic novel was bowdlerized to make it suitable for children.

epistolary

A narrative style where most or all of the story is conveyed through letters or other correspondence. Example: 'The Color Purple' by Alice Walker is an epistolary novel.

bête noire

A term denoting the idea of avoidance found in many narratives, often associated with family dramas. Example: The character's bête noire is their estranged sibling, whom they avoid at all costs.

epigraph

A quote or passage included at the beginning of a work to reflect the overarching theme or message. Example: An epigraph from a famous poet can set the tone for the entire book.

negative capability

The ability to accept that some matters must be left unsolved and uncertain, adding an element of doubt and ambiguity. Example: Shakespeare demonstrated negative capability in many of his plays, leaving character motivations ambiguous.

trope

A common literary device, event, or archetype, frequently used in storytelling. Example: The 'damsel in distress' is a trope often found in fairy tales.

roman a clef

A novel in which real-life figures and adventures are thinly disguised as fiction. Example: 'The Bell Jar' by Sylvia Plath is considered a roman a clef.