11th Grade 25/26 Unit #2 Quiz #6 (Quarterly Final)

character motivation

The reason or reasons behind a character's behavior

theme

central message or insight conveyed in a work of literature

symbol

a person, place, or thing that stands for something beyond its original meaning

irony

a contrast between what is stated and what is meant or between what is expected to happen and what actually happens

aphorism

a pithy observation that contains a general truth, such as, “if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

personification

When a non-human subject is given human characteristics

metaphor

a figure of speech in which one thing is spoken of as though it were something else.

simile

a figure of speech in which the words like or as are used to compare two apparently dissimilar items.

hyperbole

a deliberate exaggeration or overstatement

imagery

the descriptive or figurative language used in literature to create word pictures for the reader

alliteration

the occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words.

onomotapoeia

the use of words that imitate sounds

mood

also called atmosphere, the feeling created in the reader by a literary work or passage.

character

a person or animal that takes part in the action of a literary work.

theme

a central message or insight into life revealed by a literary work.

symbol

anything that stands for or represents something else.

author’s message

the main idea or concept that the author wants to convey to the reader

extended metaphor

a writer speaks or writes of a subject as though it were something else; sustains a metaphor for several lines

anaphora

the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses.

symbolism

the use of symbols that stand for or represent something else.

parallelism

the repetition of grammatical structure in order to create a rhythm and make words more memorable

cataloging

a literary form and poetic device that involves creating a list of people, objects, or ideas to highlight their relationships to each other.

synecdoche

a figure of speech in which a part is made to represent the whole or vice versa; example is "hungry mouths to feed"

-auto-

self

-bio-

life

-graph-

writing

di-/disp-

not; away (Latin) or two (Greek)

super-

above; over

-sanct-

holy

-sign-

sign

-cid-

fall

-uni-

one

-sequ-

follow

-pact-

press; fasten

admonition

gentle, friendly criticism

latent

hidden

naught

ignored

lustre

brightness

firmament

sky

bards

poets

sages

wise men and women

alienated

made unfamiliar by being separated from us

sinew

connective tissues

timorous

shy

desponding

discouraging

renovate

change

miscarry

fall

modes

styles

speculative

theoretical

sufficed

was adequate

superfluous

excessive

vital

necessary or important

catechism

a summary of the principles of Christian religion in the form of questions and answers, used for the instruction of Christians.

cognizance

knowledge or awareness; the emblem used as a badge to indicate allegiance or service.

consort

to associate with; in this context, it often implies association with others, typically in a way considered disapprovable.

deacon

a subordinate officer in a Christian church.

expedient

a means to an end; (adj.) advantageous, useful in achieving a result.

fervid

intensely enthusiastic or passionate, especially to an excessive degree.

iniquity

immoral or grossly unfair behavior; a sin.

melancholy

a deep, pensive, and long-lasting sadness.

ostentatious

characterized by vulgar or pretentious display; designed to impress or attract notice.

perplexed

completely baffled; very puzzled.

pious

devoutly religious.

proselytes

people who have converted from one opinion, religion, or party to another.

Sabbath

a day of religious observance and abstinence from work, observed by Jews from Friday evening to Saturday evening and by most Christians on Sunday.

scruples

a feeling of doubt or hesitation with regard to the morality or propriety of a course of action.

seraph

an angelic being, associated with light, ardor, and purity.

cetology

The branch of zoology that deals with whales, dolphins, and porpoises, discussed extensively in the novel.

crow's nest

A platform high on the mast of a ship used as a lookout point.

harpoon

A long spear-like instrument used in whaling to catch whales.

leviathan

A term used to refer to a large sea monster, often associated with whales.

scrimshaw

The art of carving on whale bone or ivory, a craft practiced by sailors.

sperm whale

The species of whale hunted in the novel; it is the type of whale that Moby Dick represents.

vessel

Another word for a ship, frequently used in the context of whaling expeditions.

amok

Acting in a frenzied, uncontrolled, and chaotic manner, often used to describe extreme behavior.

ballast

Heavy material placed in a ship’s hold to stabilize it, metaphorically representing emotional or psychological grounding.

fathom

A unit of length (six feet) used to measure the depth of water; often used metaphorically for understanding or comprehension.

gale

A strong wind, particularly at sea; used to describe rough and dangerous weather.

mariner

A sailor or seaman, commonly used throughout the novel to refer to those who work on ships.

masthead

The top of a ship’s mast, used as a lookout point in whaling ships.

squall

A sudden, violent gust of wind or localized storm, often used to represent sudden emotional upheavals.