Women's Literature- Terminology 1

Canon

An accepted body or collection of works—such as books, plays, or poems—that are considered authoritative, authentic, or the most important within a field or by a specific author (e.g., the Shakespearean canon).

Genre

A specific category or type of literature characterized by a particular style

Novel

A long, Fictional narrative written in prose, which typically explores complex characters and plotlines.

Novella

A work of written fiction that is longer than a short story but shorter than a novel.

Protagonist

The central character or "main character" in a literary work

Antagonist

The character, group, or force that opposes the protagonist, creating conflict and tension.

Narration

The act or process of telling a story

Narrator

The "voice" that tells the story. The narrator is distinct from the actual author and shapes how the reader interprets events.

First-Person Narrator

A narrator who is a character within the story

Third-Person Narrator

A narrator outside the story who tells it using pronouns like "he," "she," or "they." This narrator is not a participant in the action.

Omniscient Narrator

A third-person narrator who is "all-knowing

Unreliable Narrator

A narrator (often first-person) whose credibility is compromised

Static Character

A character who remains essentially the same throughout the story

Dynamic Character

A character who undergoes a significant internal change—such as a shift in values

Motivation

The internal or external reasons that drive a character to act

Conflict

The central struggle between opposing forces in a story

Dialogue

The spoken conversation between two or more characters in a story.

Climax

The turning point or highest point of tension in the plot

Anticlimax

A disappointing, sudden decline in tension or significance, where a "letdown" occurs instead of the expected high-stakes resolution.

Resolution (Dénouement)

The final part of a story where the main conflict is resolved and loose ends are tied up