Literary Periods and Major Works

These flashcards cover literary periods, key concepts, and major works to aid in exam preparation.

Puritanism

A literary movement characterized by plain, simple writing focused on honoring God, reflecting on faith, and examining sin and salvation.

Revolutionary Era (Age of Reason)

A period emphasizing logic, reason, science, and human rights, with political writing prevalent.

Romantic Age

A literary period focusing on emotion, imagination, and individuality, viewing nature as mysterious and beautiful.

Transcendentalism

A philosophical movement advocating for the inherent goodness of people and nature, emphasizing intuition and self-reliance.

Realism

Literary style portraying everyday life and ordinary people, focusing on realistic speech and detailed settings.

Mass Hysteria

A condition in which a group of people exhibit similar hysterical symptoms, often leading to irrational behaviors and decisions.

John Proctor

The protagonist of 'The Crucible,' who undergoes a moral transformation from guilt to integrity.

Abigail Williams

A key character in 'The Crucible' who manipulates accusations to avoid punishment for witchcraft.

Reverend Hale

A character in 'The Crucible' who shifts from supporting the witch trials to opposing the corrupt court.

Thanatopsis

A poem by William Cullen Bryant that meditates on death, suggesting that nature provides comfort in life's inevitability.

The Masque of the Red Death

A Gothic short story by Edgar Allan Poe exploring themes of mortality and inescapable death.

Self-Reliance

An essay by Ralph Waldo Emerson promoting individuality and self-trust in Transcendentalist thought.

Walden

A book by Henry David Thoreau detailing his experiment in simple, independent living by Walden Pond.

Guilt and Redemption

Major themes in 'The Crucible' reflecting the impact of personal sin and the quest for forgiveness.