Afro-Asian Literature and Literary Elements Study Set

These flashcards cover literary elements including plot structures, conflict types, and point of view, as well as character details and vocabulary from 'The Mouse Maid', 'The Aged Mother', 'The Necklace', and 'Arabian Nights'.

According to the story of The Mouse Maid, why did the Cloud God suggest the Wind God as a groom?

Because the Wind God is greater as he blows the Cloud God away.

What is the definition of Filial piety?

The value of honoring and taking care of one's parents, elders, and ancestors.

Which short story in Chinese literature by Lafcadio Hearn demonstrates filial piety?

The Soul of the Great Bell

How is a Plot defined in a story or play?

The sequence of events; a planned, logical series of events having a beginning, middle, and end.

What is the difference between a Linear/Pyramidic Plot and a Parallel Plot?

A Linear Plot follows a single straightforward storyline, while a Parallel Plot involves multiple storylines running alongside each other.

What are the $6$ essential parts of a Linear Plot?

Exposition, Inciting Incident, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.

What occurs during the Exposition of a story?

The characters and setting are revealed.

Which part of the plot is described as the single event that gives birth to the conflict?

Inciting Incident

What is the Climax of a story?

The turning point and highest point of the story.

What is another name for the Resolution of a plot?

Denouement

What are the $2$ general types of conflict?

Internal Conflict and External Conflict.

What is a Character vs. Fate conflict?

When a person's choices and personality clash with forces beyond their control, such as avoiding a prophecy.

Define Character vs. Society conflict.

A struggle against a tradition, an institution, a law, or some other societal construct.

What type of conflict involves vampires, werewolves, or ghosts?

Character vs. Supernatural

Who wrote the Japanese folktale The Aged Mother?

Matsuo Basho

In The Aged Mother, what cruel proclamation did the despotic leader of Shining issue?

The strict order to immediately put to death all aged people.

In the story The Aged Mother, what did the mother use to mark the path to help her son return safely?

She quietly snapped twigs from bushes and dropped them along the path.

What does the word 'Despotic' mean?

A cruel or controlling ruler.

What was the shocking twist at the end of The Necklace concerning the borrowed jewelry?

The necklace Mathilde Loisel replaced at great cost was actually a fake worth only a few hundred francs.

How long did Mathilde Loisel and her husband spend in poverty to pay off the debt for the replacement necklace?

$10$ years

What is the origin of Arabian Nights, more properly known as One Thousand and One Nights?

A collection of Middle Eastern and South Asian stories compiled in Arabic during the Islamic Golden Age.

Why did Scheherazade tell the King stories but leave them unfinished each night?

To make the King curious about the conclusion so he would postpone her execution.

How many nights did Scheherazade continue her storytelling pattern?

$1,001$ nights

What is First Person Point of View?

The story is told by the protagonist or a character using the pronouns "I", "me", or "we".

What is the defining characteristic of Third Person Limited POV?

The narrator describes events through the eyes of only one character and only knows that character's thoughts and feelings.

What characterizes Third Person Omniscient POV?

The narrator knows and sees everything, including the actions, feelings, and thoughts of multiple characters.