lit

Plot

pattern or series of connected incidents in a story; the author’s arrangement of events

Setting

time, place, environment, and atmosphere of a story

Conflict

clash of actions, ideas, or desires; can be internal or external

Tone

author’s attitude toward subject or characters

Theme

main idea or life lesson stated generally

Rising Action

events that build tension and develop conflict

Climax

highest point of tension in the story

Falling Action

events after climax leading to resolution

Foreshadowing

hints about future events

Flashback

scene that takes place earlier in time

Suspense

anxiety about what will happen next

Dilemma

a difficult choice between options

First Person

narration told by a character in the story

Third Person

narration told by an outside narrator

Omniscient Narrator

narrator who knows all thoughts and feelings

Protagonist

main character in conflict

Antagonist

force opposing the protagonist

Round Character

complex, well-developed character

Flat Character

simple, underdeveloped character

Dynamic Character

character who changes over time

Static Character

character who does not change

Stock Character

stereotypical character

Symbol

something that represents a deeper meaning

Irony

difference between expectation and reality

Personification

giving human traits to non-human things

Allusion

reference to another work, person, or event

Metaphor

comparison without using like or as

Simile

comparison using like or as

Invocation of the Muse

calling on a higher power for inspiration

Of the Girl Who Married Mount Katahdin

Native American legend about a girl who marries a mountain and has a supernatural child

Upon the Burning of Our House

Anne Bradstreet reflects on losing her home and trusting God

General History of New England

John Smith describes exploration and hardships in the New World

Wonders of the Invisible World

Cotton Mather discusses Salem Witch Trials and fear of the supernatural

Huswifery

Edward Taylor compares himself to a spinning wheel serving God

Mary Rowlandson Narrative

Puritan woman recounts captivity by Native Americans

Origins of Disease

James Mooney explains disease created by animals and cured by plants

Resolutions

Jonathan Edwards lists goals for moral living

God is omnipotent and good

Puritanism

Humans are naturally evil

Puritanism

God controls salvation (predestination)

Puritanism

: Good works don’t ensure salvation

Puritanism

: Government should enforce God’s laws

Puritanism

: Bible should be read daily

Puritanism

: Sermons were highly valued

Puritanism

: Writing style is plain and simple

Puritanism

: Women were expected to be submissive

Puritanism

Declaration of Independence

Document declaring freedom and natural rights

Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death

Patrick Henry speech urging war with Britain

Narrative of Frederick Douglass

Slave learns to read and seeks freedom

Notes on the State of Virginia

Jefferson discusses slavery, religion, and society

Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

Franklin’s life and self-improvement

Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl

Harriet Jacobs describes life as a female slave

Star-Spangled Banner

Patriotic poem about American flag in battle

: Humans are naturally good

Enlightenment

: Values reason over emotion

Enlightenment

: Rejects superstition

Enlightenment

: Focuses on real world

Enlightenment

: Encourages self-control

Enlightenment

: Writing is persuasive

Enlightenment

: Common forms are essays and speeches

Enlightenment

: Inspired American Revolution

Enlightenment

: Written by former slaves

Slave Narrative

Shows cruelty of slavery

Slave Narrative

Includes proof of authenticity

Slave Narrative

Begins with “I was born”

Slave Narrative

: Includes violence and suffering

Slave Narrative

Uses simple style

Slave Narrative

: Goal is to end slavery

Slave Narrative

John Greenleaf Whittier

Author of The Barefoot Boy

The Raven

Narrative poem by Edgar Allan Poe about grief and a mysterious raven

Henry David Thoreau

Writer focused on nature and philosophy

The Minister’s Black Veil

Hawthorne story about hidden sin and guilt

A Psalm of Life

Poem encouraging meaningful living

Thanatopsis

Poem about death and nature

: Connection between humans and nature

Transcendentalism

: Goal is spiritual truth

Transcendentalism

: Rejects strict religion and pure reason

Transcendentalism

Champions woemns suffrage and the abolition of slavery

Transcendentalism

: Supports social reform

Transcendentalism

: Values intuition

Transcendentalism

: Nature is divine

Transcendentalism

Humans are inherently good and divine

Transcendentalism

Aspired toward utopian societies

Transcendentalism

Values simplicity and self-reliance

Transcendentalism

: Reaction to Romantic optimism

Dark Romanticism:

Focuses on dark human nature

Dark Romanticism:

Humans are flawed

Dark Romanticism:

: Few overcome their flaws

Dark Romanticism

Castle setting

Gothic

Mystery and suspense

Gothic