English 2 midterm

Historical Lens

examining the context (who, what, where, and when) to see how the novel aligns itself with history

Philosophical Lens

Examining the big, abstract ideas the author uses in order to determine what they're saying about the world. Typically related to morality, meaning of life, or questioning pre-conceived ideas.

Psychological Lens

Examining the mental state and emotions of the protagonist in order to determine what the author is saying about the human being

Ecological Lens

Examining how the setting interacts and is interacted with by characters in order to determine the author's view of nature

New Criticism

Examining the use of literary devices to determine meaning from the text itself (not author's purpose)

Formalism Lens

Examining the structure and how information is given to the reader in order to determine the author's intent (keyhole analogy)

Gender Lens

Examining the depictions and relationships between different genders in order to determine the author's view/message about gender roles (not necessarily in a feminist view)

Race Lens

Examining depictions and relationships between different races (or "us" and "others) in order to determine the author's view/message about race/race relations

Economic/Political Lens

Examining the class structures and systems of power in order to determine the author's view/message in relation to the real world

Existentialism

individuals hold all the power in their decision making, fate, and meaning of life

Fatalism

life is predetermined, individuals hold no power, and fate controls all. Free will is a facade

Nihilism

nothing matters, and there is no meaning or purpose

Absurdism

the belief that we live in a purposeless, irrational, chaotic universe

Skepticism

a questioning attitude or doubt towards knowledge. How do you know what you know? Questioning preconceived ideas

The grotesque/absurd

sought to paint a more "realistic" view of the world post WW1. Ugly, distorted, and seemingly unresolved plots, settings and characters characterized this style.

The Kafkaesque

a style named after Franz Kafka.

Setting- nightmarish, mazelike, bureaucratic, disorienting.

Protagonist- hyperaware, alienated, helpless, isolated

Gothic Literature

characterized by fear, the supernatural, being "haunted," claustrophobic settings, and themes related to death

Assonance

repetition of vowel sounds

Consonance

repetition of consonant sounds

Anaphora

the repetition of a word or phrase

Irony

a perception of inconsistency. when the significance of an event or statement is changed by its context

Situational Irony

occurs when the outcome of a work is unexpected, or events turn out to be the opposite from what one had expected

Dramatic Irony

when a reader is aware of something that a character isn't

Verbal Irony

irony in which a person says or writes one thing and means another, or uses words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of the literal meaning (sarcasm)

Allegory

a story that uses symbols to convey a hidden or ulterior motive

Epiphany

the point in a story when the protagonist realizes their true identity and/or the true nature of their circumstances

Exposition

background info in a story

Protagonist

the "main" character who the author wants you to root for

Antagonist

character who opposes the protagonist

Foil

character used in juxtaposition to highlight strengths and differences

Juxtaposition

the placement of two dissimilar things next to one another to emphasize the differences or similarities

Tone

speaker's feelings about a subject or audience

Mood

the emotional response to the speaker wants the reader to feel

Motif

a distinct feature or idea that recurs across a story

Theme

the underlying meaning or main idea of a story that explores a fundamental aspect of society or humanity

Paradox

a contradictory relationship between 2 or more ideas that upon further inspection reveals some kind of truth

Ambiguity

uncertainty in meaning

Analytical Essay

-Intro: hook, context, thesis

-BP 1-3: topic sentence, evidence, context, analysis (repeat evi, context, and analysis twice), concluding sentence

-Conclusion: restate thesis, summarize argument, concluding sentence

Point by Point Comparison Essay

-Intro: hook, context thesis

-BP 1-3: topic sentence, evidence, context, analysis (repeat evi, context, and analysis for all sources), analysis 2.0, concluding sentence

-Conclusion: restate thesis, summarize argument, concluding sentence

Block Method Comparison Essay

-Intro: hook, context thesis

-BP 1: topic sentence, evidence, context, analysis (repeat evi, context, and analysis twice), concluding sentence

-BP 2: repeat BP 1 with new source

-BP 3: topic sentence, analysis 2.0, concluding sentence

-Conclusion: restate thesis, summarize argument, concluding sentence

Poe's Theory of Composition

1. Find an effect (short story or poem should aim at one emotion)

2. Length (story should be able to be read in one sitting)

3. Refrain (anaphora, assonance, and consonance of refrain should support emotion)

4. Plot (should focus on the emotional effect, nothing more)