HN English II Exam Study Guide

Vocabulary flashcards covering literary terms, character profiles, themes, and motifs from All the Light We Cannot See, Maus, 1984, "Harrison Bergeron", "Enemies From Within", and Twelve Angry Men, as well as relevant Constitutional amendments.

Foil Characters

Characters who contrast with one another to highlight, reveal, or emphasize specific traits, values, or flaws.

1984- Julia and Winston or Winston and Obrien

12 Angry Men- Juror 8 and 3

Dynamic Character

A character who develops over time and grows as a person rather than remaining the same.

Static Character

A character who does not grow or change and stays the same throughout the entire story.

Symbol

An image or object that stands for an abstract meaning beyond its literal interpretation.

Motif

An object, image, element, or idea that is repeated over and over again throughout a story.

Foreshadowing

The use of narrative clues or symbols to predict or suggest events that are to come later in a story.

Genre

A category, class, or style of art, literature, music, film, or other defined by shared characteristics, themes, forms, or rules.

Author's Purpose

• Everything is written for a specific purpose, the purpose shows what the Author wants to convey to the readers.

• In literature/writing, it is usually to:Inform, Persuade, Entertain 

• With fiction, the main purpose is usually to entertain.

Theme

An important idea woven throughout a story that links big ideas to smaller sentences, distinct from a simple plot summary.

Utopia

Fiction set in an idealized, perfect society; the term translates to "good place" and "no place."

Dystopia

An imaginary place or condition in which everything is as bad as possible.

Mood

The feeling or emotion that the author's writing evokes within the reader.

Tone

The way the author writes and speaks, reflecting their specific attitude toward the subject.

Metaphor

A figure of speech that makes a direct comparison between two unrelated things by stating that one thing is another. (like or as)

Hero

The main character who must overcome conflict, trials, and challenges.

Tragic Hero

A character possessing heroic qualities that earn audience sympathy, but who also has flaws or makes mistakes that ultimately cause their own downfall.

Literary Analysis

A type of expository essay that dives deep into a particular aspect of a text, analyzing and interpreting it for meaning, significance, and symbolism.

Stage Directions

Instructions that specify what happens on and off stage and how the actors are expected to behave or move.

Dialogue

Words spoken aloud by characters.

Julia

Winston's lover in 1984 who works in the Fiction Department at the Ministry of Truth; rebellious against the Party for personal pleasure rather than ideological reasons.

O'Brien

A powerful Inner Party member in 1984 whom Winston mistakenly believes is a Brotherhood rebel, but who is actually an agent of the Thought Police A mysterious, powerful, and sophisticated

Parsons

WInstons coworker and neighbor. Enthusiastic about the party and loyal to it.

Syme

works on the newspeak dictionary. Observant but too willing to explain the party's intentions.

Mr Charrington

An older man who runs a secondhand store in the prole district. Kindly and encouraging, Mr. Charrington seems to share Winston’s interest in the past. He also seems to support Winston’s rebellion against the Party and his relationship with Julia, since he rents Winston a room without a telescreen in which to carry out his affair. But Mr. Charrington is not as he seems. He is a member of the Thought Police

Big Brother

the symbolic leader and face of the party. Represents surveillance, authority, fear, and loyalty.

Goldstein

A character in George Orwell's "1984", known as the leader of the opposition to the Party, often blamed for societal issues. He is a symbol of rebellion and is used as a scapegoat by the government.

Doublethink

The psychological ability to hold two contradictory beliefs in one's mind simultaneously and accept both as true, exemplified by "WAR IS PEACE. IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH. SLAVERY IS FREEDOM."

God is Power

Written by Winston in his diary while under total despair, and later echoed by O'Brien during Winston's torture. It symbolizes the Party's replacement of religion with absolute political control. The Party does not seek power for any other reason than to have it

Telescreens

Two-way televisions and surveillance cameras in 1984 that eliminate privacy, monitor citizens constantly, and enforce psychological self-policing.These represent the complete elimination of privacy and the omnipresent threat of the Thought Police

The Coral Glass Paperweight

A symbol of the uncorrupted past and Winston’s fragile desire to reconnect with it. The smooth glass represents a world before the Party, and the pink coral inside represents his secret life with Julia. When the Thought Police arrest them, the paperweight is smashed on the ground, symbolizing the absolute destruction of their private world.

Dreams

Winston's subconscious memories, fears, and desire to understand his past.

St Clements

Connects Winston to the past and create nostalgia. The lyrics foreshadow his capture.

2 + 2 = 5

The ultimate symbol of psychological submission in 1984, representing the Party's ability to override objective reality and control the human mind.If the Party can dictate that a basic mathematical fact is false, and force a citizen to genuinely believe it, they have achieved total control over the human mind.

Goldsteins Book

Explains how the Party maintains power through permanent war, propaganda, and control. It gives Winston an understanding of the system and gives rebels a false sense of hope while outlining the exact mechanisms the Party uses to maintain permanent control.

Chesnut Tree Cafe and Song

A symbol of defeat and betrayal. It is the hangout spot for disgraced Party members who have been broken by torture and brainwashed before their eventual execution. The lyrics of the song ("Under the spreading chestnut tree / I sold you and you sold me") symbolize the total destruction of love and loyalty, which Winston fully experiences at the end of the novel.

Newspeak

A fictional, state-controlled language created in 1984 designed to narrow the range of thought and eliminate the capacity for independent ideas.

Inner Party

The ruling with greater privileges and direct access to power.

Outer Party

Government workers who carry out Party function but are closely monitored and have few privileges.

Proles

An informal term for members of the working class in 1984 who occupy the lowest social and economic tier of Oceania.

Where does Winston live?

Victory Mansion, In Airstrip One, which is part of Oceania.

Two Minutes Hate

A mandatory daily public ritual in 1984 used to channel citizens' frustration, redirect blame toward political scapegoats, and enforce state loyalty.

What does the Ministry of Plenty lie about increasing? Why?

It lies about increasing production of chocolate even when shortages or rations occur. The party manipulates statistics to make itself appear successful.

What’s Winston’s greatest fear?

rats

Who is Katharine?

Winston's estranged wife

Describe Julia and Winston’s relationship.

Their relationship began as a secret, romantic and sexual rebellion. Winston is interested in truth, history, and overthrowing the party. Julia mainly wants personal freedom and pleasure. Their relationship gives them temporary connection and privacy but torture causes them to betray each other.

What might be concerning about the Parsons kids?

They are trained to be loyal to the Party and encouraged to spy on adults, including their parents.

How does Orwell allude to the anti-Semitism of WWII in this novel?

Goldstein is portrayed as a Jewish coded enemy through description and stereotypes. The party uses his image to direct hatred toward a scapegoat, echoing Nazi antisemitic propaganda.

How does the Ministry of Love look?

The Ministry of Love has no windows, is surrounded by barbed wire, and is guarded by armed officers. Inside, the lights never go out.

What does Winston appear like here?

 Winston becomes physically weak, thin, scared, and exhausted.

Room 101

The torture chamber in the Ministry of Love containing the worst thing in the world tailored to each specific prisoner, designed to completely break their spirit and loyalty.

What is “the place where there is no darkness”? When does this idea first arise?

Room 101. Winston initially interprets it as a hopeful, possibly liberating place. Later, it becomes associated with the continuously illuminated cells of the Ministry of Love, where Winston is imprisoned. The phrase first appears in Winston's dream and memory of O'Brien early in the novel.

Facecrime

An Oceania term for an improper facial expression or involuntary twitch indicating subversive thoughts or anxiety, detectable by telescreens.

Mr. Charrington’s shop and room

 The shop sells antiques and appears to preserve objects from the past. The upstairs room has old-fashioned furnishings and a seemingly private atmosphere, including the coral paperweight Winston buys. Winston and Julia believe they can hide there, but a concealed telescreen exposes their activities.

Propaganda

Often one-sided or misleading communication designed to shape beliefs and emotions, frequently for political control.

Persuasion

Communication intended to convince someone through reasons, evidence, emotions, or appeals. Persuasion can be ethical, whereas propaganda often manipulates information.

What’s the tone of Winston’s diary entry? How can you tell?

The tone is frantic, anxious, and deeply guilty. We can tell by the chaotic stream-of-consciousness writing, the repetition of "DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER," and his immediate panic that he will be vaporized for writing it.

What is Hate Week? Why does Winston work 90 hours that week?

Hate Week is a Party-organized event that intensifies public hatred toward the enemy and reinforces loyalty to Big Brother. Winston works extremely long hours because the Ministry of Truth must rapidly alter propaganda and records when the Party suddenly changes its declared enemy.

What holds Winston and Julia back from fully committing to the Brotherhood?

They do not want to betray each other or get caught.

Which countries from today’s world make up Oceania? 

the Americas, the Atlantic islands (including the UK), Australia, and the southern part of Africa.

What does Winston mean when he says he understands the how but not the why?

Winston understands the mechanics of manipulation (how the Party alters the past and controls information), but he does not understand the ultimate motive (why the Party desires absolute power purely for the sake of power).

Ministry of Love (Miniluv)

The government ministry in 1984 responsible for managing law, order, torture, interrogation, and psychological brainwashing.

Ministry of Truth (Minitrue)

The government ministry in 1984 that controls news, entertainment, education, historical records, and state propaganda.

Ministry of Peace (Minipax)

The government ministry in 1984 that directs military strategy and manages continuous, permanent war.

Ministry of Plenty (Miniplenty)

The government ministry in 1984 that oversees economic affairs, production, and public rationing.

Handicaps ("Harrison Bergeron")

The government used handicaps to force everyone to be equal in physical and intellectual ability. They created superficial equality but did not create fairness or happiness. Individual differences cannot be completely erased without injustice.

Equality

Equality gives everyone the exact same treatment and resources regardless of difference

Equity

provides differentiated resources based on individual need to reach a fair outcome

Who is the antagonist of Harrison Bergerson?

The oppressive government and its system of enforced handicaps. Diana Moon Glampers, the Handicap general, represents that system and enforces the rules.

Enemies from Within

The secret undercover communists and the US government.

What tone did the author use in Enemies From Within?

urgent, alarmist, accusatory, patriotic

How did McCarthy try to sound more credible but ended up sounding less credible?

He claims to possess evidence and uses specific numbers to appear authoritative. However, unsupported accusations, dramatic language, and a lack of clear proof can make him seem unreliable and manipulative.

How does this passage relate to 1984?

The Fabrication of a Invisible Threat, The Atmosphere of Paranoia, Manipulation of Truth.

12 Angry men antagonist

juror 3

12 Angry Men protagonist

juror 8

What role did prejudice and stereotyping play in the play? Think “us vs them”.

Prejudice and stereotyping created divisions among the jurors, affecting their perceptions and judgments. This "us vs them" mentality led to biases that clouded their ability to objectively evaluate the evidence presented during the trial.

Juror 1

is the jury foreman who facilitates discussions and maintains order in the deliberation room. - highschool football coach

Juror 2

bank worker who is meek, hesitant, and easily swayed

Juror 3

The primary antagonist of Twelve Angry Men; a forceful, angry man who projects bitter resentment toward his estranged son onto the teenage defendant.

Juror 4

a wealthy, logical stockbroker who relies on facts and reason

Juror 5

a young nurse who grew up in a slum

Juror 6

A quiet, honest, and steady house painter who respects others' opinions and focuses carefully on practical details like motive

Juror 7

A loud, flashy, impatient salesman who cares more about getting to a baseball game

Juror 8

The protagonist of Twelve Angry Men; a calm, analytical, and empathetic architect who casts the sole initial "not guilty" vote to ensure careful deliberation.

Juror 9

 A mild, observant, and compassionate elderly man who respects Juror 8’s courage and becomes the very first juror to switch his vote to "not guilty".

Juror 10

An angry, bitter, and vicious bigot/racist who lets his ugly personal prejudices drive his conviction of the defendant.

Juror 11

A humble European immigrant/refugee watchmaker who deeply respects the American legal and democratic system.

Juror 12

A superficial, indecisive advertising/marketing executive who is easily distracted, doodles, and switches his vote based on convenience

Why did No. 8 refuse to say that the defendant was guilty? What held him back?

The death penalty was on the  line and he had seen holes in the case.

What was ironic about the line “It takes a great deal of courage to stand alone even if you believe in something very strongly”?

The statement praises the courage required to stand alone yet many jurors initially follow the majority instead of examining the evidence.

What’s ironic about the evidence of the line “I’m going to kill you” and how No. 3 treats No.8?

Juror 3 uses the defendant's alleged threat to support his guilt but later threatens Juror 8 with the same thing.

Hung Jury

A legal situation that occurs when a jury cannot agree on a unanimous verdict following extended deliberation.

How did the movie visually playing out all the stage directions, lighting, and music affect the meaning, tone, and mood of the play?

Through the Room & Camera angle, the lighting shifts, and the different tempos, speeds, and kinds of  music.

What was some of the faulty evidence provided by the witnesses?

The old man downstairs, the woman across the street, the murder weapon, and the boy's memory of the movie. 

Why is indifference the worst sin?

It allows injustice to happen because people refuse to care.

How does God compare to the play?

Juror 8 functions as a figure of divine grace or an awakening conscience making others think before making life changing decisions. 

How does the various Chambers compare with criminal charges and sentences?

The US court system has different levels of court and different stages of a criminal case.

Fourth Amendment

protects citizens against unreasonable searches and seizures.

Fifth Amendment

guarantees due process, protects against double jeopardy, and secures the right to remain silent.

Sixth Amendment

guarantees the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury and the right to legal counsel.

Seventh Amendment

provides the right to a jury trial in civil lawsuits.