English 9 Finals

hearsay

information heard by one person about another; gossip passed by word of mouth

parable

a simple story that illustrates a moral lesson

rummage

(v.) to search through, investigate the contents of

engulf

to flow over; to surround or enclose completely

oblivious

lacking conscious awareness of

maim

to disable or disfigure, to cripple

tattered

worn to shreds; or wearing torn or ragged clothing

unbearable

not able to be endured or tolerated

vigilance

the process of paying close and continuous attention

skeptical

marked by doubt; unsure of

restless

lacking physical or mental ease

inhabitant

a person who lives in a certain place

commence

to begin or start

disillusionment

a feeling of strong disappointment resulting from the discovery that something is not as good as one believed it to be

disposition

a person's usual mood

cutlass

a short heavy curved sword with one edge

mosque

a place of worship for Muslims, the people who practice the Islamic religion

imam

the person who leads prayers in a mosque

in vain

without success

vigorously

in an energetic manner

civilian

a nonmilitary citizen

decay

the process of rotting

machete

large, heavy knife

Contrasts and Contradictions (CC)

A change in a character's action, or a difference from what the reader expects the character to do based upon his previous behavior in the story.

Aha Moment (Aha)

When a character realizes, understands, or finally figures out something

Tough Questions (TQ)

difficult questions characters ask themselves or wonder about that reveal their inner struggles

Words of the Wiser (WW)

a character, often older, offers advice or says something wise

Again and Again (AA)

you notice a word, phrase, object, or situation mentioned over and over (repetition)

Memory Moment (MM)

the author interrupts the story to tell about a memory or something from the past

refugee

a person who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster.

wharf

a large dock from which ships may load or unload

fatigue

extreme tiredness, typically resulting from mental or physical exertion or illness.

translucent

allowing light, but not detailed images, to pass through; semitransparent.

mesmerize

hold the attention of someone to the exclusion of all else or so as to transfix them.

plagued

cause continual trouble or distress to.

malnourishment

suffering from malnutrition.

verandah

a roofed platform along the outside of a house, level with the ground floor.

mangled

severely mutilate, disfigure, or damage by cutting, tearing, or crushing.

agitating

making someone troubled or nervous.

okra

a green plant of the mallow family with long ridged seed pods, native to the Old World tropics.

adrenaline

a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands, especially in conditions of stress, increasing rates of blood circulation, breathing, and carbohydrate metabolism and preparing muscles for exertion.

crapes

(n) sneakers (p. 7)

cassava

tropical plant with starchy roots, kind of like potatoes

embedded

something that is within or a part of something/one else

adage

a wise saying; the Words of the Wiser signpost

Example: "We must strive to be like the moon" (16).

in vain

without success

scabbard

a protective cover for a knife

involuntarily

automatically; in an unthinking manner

ponder

(v.) to consider carefully, reflect on

looted

stole goods from (a place), typically during a war or riot.

oracle

an authoritative person who divines the future

pittance

small amount or portion, especially of money

peril

serious and immediate danger

decrepit

old and feeble; worn-out, ruined

portent

a sign or forewarning; an omen

dodge

a quick evasive movement

alms

goods or money given to the poor

begrudge

be envious of or feel annoyance toward

abroad

to or in a foreign country

intervene

get involved, so as to alter or hinder an action

parasite

a follower who hangs around a host in hope of advantage

catastrophe

an event resulting in great loss and misfortune

suffice

be adequate, either in quality or quantity

furnish

give something useful or necessary to

tallow

a hard substance used for making soap and candles

gall

the trait of being rude and impertinent; insolence

rapacious

having or showing a strong wish to take things for yourself, usually using unfair methods or force; greedy

exult

feel extreme happiness or elation; to honor

fumigate

treat with smoke, especially with the aim of disinfecting

valor

heroic courage; bravery

epic poem

a long narrative poem, originally told orally but then written down and told from an objective third-person omniscient point-of-view narrator; separated into episodes often called "books"; written in a highly stylized language

plot of an epic

a long journey full of action, often in battle, that reveals the heroism and courage (and sometimes the flaws) of the hero

characters of an epic

focused on an epic hero who is larger-than-life and has great strengths but also flaws; epics often involve supernatural beings, such as gods or deities

conflict of an epic

primarily external and focused on the hero: hero vs man, hero vs natural world, hero vs supernatural world, but also includes moments of internal conflict (hero vs self)

themes of an epic

include universal issues, such as vengeance; reveal the values of a culture, such as a culture's definition of loyalty, courage, or hospitality

setting of an epic

global- covers several nations, the whole world, and/or beyond; plot and conflict are set often set against a loosely historical background, such as the Trojan War

epic hero

a larger-than-life subject of legend or national hero who embodies the ideals and values of a culture; shows cunning and superhuman strength that no human could actually accomplish; he is often aided or protected by gods or deities

epic journey

a three part journey (departure, initiation, and return) filled with trials and difficulties that the hero goes on

epic topics

hospitality, loyalty/perseverance, vengeance, appearances vs. reality, spiritual growth

kleos

Greek word for the desire to achieve fame and glory through warlike deeds

nostos

Greek word for the desire to return home

metis

Greek word for cunning intelligence

xenia

Greek concept of hospitality; the guest-host reciprocal generosity and courtesy shown especially to those far from home, which was valued by the Greeks

arete

Greek word for moral virtue; refers to the concept of fulfilling one's potential

hubris

Greek word for excessive pride or arrogance; when this was directed at the gods, it led to nemesis

atë

Greek word for an act performed because of hubris that leads to a downfall

nemesis

Greek concept for being given what is due; retribution

deity

any god or goddess or higher being

Muse

in mythology, any one of the nine goddesses of the arts, literature, and the sciences who are regarded as inspiring poets, artists, and thinkers

nymph

beautiful maiden (unmarried female) figure in mythology who is a lesser goddess associated with nature

nectar and ambrosia

drink and food, respectively, of the gods

Odysseus

the Greek Epic Hero and King of Ithaca who has been gone from Ithaca for 20 years: 10 years fighting in the Trojan War, 10 years trying to get home

Laertes

Odysseus' father

Telemachus

Odysseus and Penelope's son; was just an infant when Odysseus left for the Trojan War so he's about 20-21 in The Odyssey

Penelope

Odysseus' wife who stays loyal to him while he's away

Polyphemus

the Cyclops

Poseidon

god of sea, earthquakes, horses, and storms at sea; father of the Cyclops that Odysseus blinded who wants revenge on Odysseus so he wrecks Odysseus' ship

Athena

goddess of wisdom, skills, and warfare; often helps Odysseus and disguises him when he returns to Ithaca

Zeus

king of the gods