unit 4 regionalism and naturalism

tone

Attitude a writer takes toward the audience, a subject, or a character

setting

The time and place of a story

tall tale

American form of storytelling featuring outlandish characters and events, often with a comic effect

hyperbole

a figure of speech exaggerating or overstating a claim or point

understatement

the technique of downplaying the significance of the outlandish, often to ironic or humorous effect

local color

writing that brings a region alive by portraying its dress, mannerisms, customs, character types, and speech

dialect

A regional variety of a language distinguished by vocabulary, spelling, and pronunciation.

theme

Central idea of a work of literature

voice

A writers unique use of language

diction

word choice and order

alliteration

Repetition of initial consonant sounds

allusion

A reference to another work of literature, person, or event

antagonist

A character or force in conflict with the main character

characterization

A method an author uses to let readers know more about the characters and their personal traits.

conflict

A struggle between opposing forces

foreshadowing

the use of hints and clues to suggest what will happen later in a plot

irony

the expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect.

metaphor

A comparison without using like or as

mood

Feeling or atmosphere that a writer creates for the reader

motif

A recurring theme, subject or idea

onomatopoeia

words that imitate sounds

oxymoron

A figure of speech that combines opposite or contradictory terms in a brief phrase.

point of view

the perspective from which a story is told

symbolism

the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities

America 1870-1910

-after the civil war, America is chainging

-there is hope and opportunity, but also poverty, racism, and hardship

-writers are starting to show what real life looks like

-2 major movements: regionalism and naturalism

regionalism

focused on specific regions in the country (like the South, West , New England)

they showed unique culture, customs, speech, and landscapes of each place

-its like preserving the flavor of americas many "mini-cultures"

regionalism writers

Mark Twain, Bret Harte, Willa Cather

naturalism

it shows people struggling against forces they can;t control

-how environment, heredity, and society affect people

-shows characters trapped by poverty, racism, or bad luck

--influenced by Darwin's theory of natural selection (survival of the fittest)

KEY IDEAS

- Life isn't always fair

-people can feel powerless

-nature and society are often cold and unforgiving

naturalism writers

Stephen Crane, Jack London, Norris, Theodore

reconstruction

the period after the Civil War in the United States when the southern states were reorganized and reintegrated into the Union

westward expansion

rebuilding of the South after the Civil War

railroads open up the west

the gilded age

rich got richer, poor stayed poor

big division between classes

industrialization

huge growth in factories, cities, technology

immigration

millions came to America looking for a better life - often ended up in hard jobs with low pay

progressive movement

fought for social justice and better working conditions