AP Literature Reference Guide

Mercurial (Mythology Qualities)

Associated with the Roman god Mercury, mercurial describes someone who is unpredictable, lively, and changeable in mood or behavior. This term often reflects quickness and adaptability.

Ex. Mr. Rochester's mercurial nature causes him to switch abruptly from grim, aloof silence to warm, passionate conversation.

Titanic (Mythology Qualities)

Refers to immense power, scale, or hubris that ultimately leads to a disastrous downfall. Named after the Titans of myth and exemplified by the RMS Titanic, which was considered unsinkable before striking an iceberg.

Ex. The Capitol in The Hunger Games maintained a titanic hold over the districts, but its overconfidence resulted in total destruction.

Chimera (Mythology Qualities)

A fantastical combination of incompatible elements suggesting something unnatural, wild, or unstable. Comes from Greek mythology, where it was a hybrid monster with a lion's head, goat's body, and serpent's tail that terrorized Cilicia.

Ex. The Capitol's muttations in The Hunger Games were a terrifying chimera, combining human features with animal ferocity.

Echo (Mythology Qualitie)

Distracting someone through charismatic chatter or repetition to delay discovery or hide the truth. Comes from the Greek mountain nymph Echo, who distracted Hera with continuous conversation while Zeus pursued affairs.

Ex. In Harry Potter, Gilderoy Lockhart acted as a human echo, using his charismatic babble to distract everyone from his utter incompetence.

Nemesis (Mythology Qualities)

A powerful enemy, rival, or force that causes a downfall. Comes from the Greek goddess of revenge and justice, who punished people guilty of excessive pride (hubris).

Ex.: In Harry Potter, Lord Voldemort acts as Harry's ultimate nemesis, relentlessly working to bring about his destruction.

Narcissism (Mythology Qualities)

Destructive self-obsession. The term comes from the Greek myth of Narcissus, a handsome man who rejects others and falls in love with his own reflection.

Ex. Voldemort is obsessed with the need for immortality, and ends up dying.

Janus Faced (Mythology Qualities)

Represents being two-faced or having two contrasting sides. Janus, the Roman god, is depicted with two faces, one looking toward the past and the other toward the future.

Ex. In Jane Eyre, Mrs. Reed acts respectable and pleasant toward Mr. Brocklehurst but is cruel and unfair toward Jane, revealing her two-faced nature.

Gordian Knot (Mythology Situations)

Extremely complex problem/situation that seems impossible and needs an unconventional solution (thinking outside the box). Gordian knot tied to wagon; everyone tried to untie it, Alexander the Great cut it.

Ex. Odysseus escaped Cyclops’ cave by blinding him.

Midas Touch (Mythology Situations)

Person with rare talent for succeeding in anything. King Midas wished everything he touched would turn to gold.

Ex. Idiom used in business for someone with the ability to make things successful.

Trojan Horse (Mythology Situations)

Deceptive offer that seems attractive while carrying a hidden threat. In the Trojan War, Greeks built a wooden horse and hid soldiers inside for a surprise attack.

Ex. Avengers: Loki allows himself to be easily captured to get aboard the plane.

Pandora’s Box (Mythology Situations)

Small action releases vast and uncontrollable waves of suffering and evil. Zeus creates Pandora, the first woman on Earth, whose box releases evils like poverty but leaves hope.

Ex. Adam and Eve are forbidden from eating the fruit, but Eve does.

Herculean (Mythology Qualities)

Extremely difficult or requiring great strength. Comes from Hercules and his twelve nearly impossible labors.

Ex. Completing an enormous project overnight would be a Herculean task.

Pyrrhic Victor (Mythology Archetypes)

Win that comes at a great cost. King Pyrrhus defeated the Romans but lost many of his best soldiers.

Ex. Squid Game: Winning means gaining money but losing your humanity.

Icarus (Mythology Archetypes)

Represents excessive pride, ambition, and the danger of overreaching limits. Icarus flies too close to the sun and his wings melt.

Ex. Beauty and the Beast: Gaston believes he can defeat the Beast but falls to his death.

Hubris (Mythology Archetypes)

Dangerous pride/arrogance that causes someone to ignore rules or advice. In Greek mythology, mortals with excessive pride often challenged the gods and were punished.

Ex. Arachne believes she is better than Athena and challenges her, leading to her punishment.

Promethean (Mythology Archetypes)

Figure who brings knowledge/enlightenment to humanity by defying authority and facing severe punishment. Prometheus stole fire from Olympus for humans, so Zeus chained him to a rock where an eagle ate his liver.

Ex. Frankenstein: Victor creates life through forbidden knowledge, leading to the deaths of his loved ones.

Orpheus (Mythology Archetypes)

Love can cross any boundary, but human doubt can destroy what you’re trying to save. Orpheus enters the Underworld to save his wife but looks back and loses her forever.

Ex. Romeo and Juliet: Their love crosses family boundaries, but doubt and misunderstanding ultimately destroy them.

Sisyphean (Mythology Archetypes)

Endless task that can never be finished. Sisyphus was punished by the gods to push a boulder up a hill forever.

Ex. Jane Eyre: Jane consistently faces oppressive social structures.

Milquetoast (Literature Characters)

Weak-minded person who can be easily controlled. Comes from Caspar Milquetoast, a timid comic character who feared almost everything.

Ex. Wormtail in Harry Potter is easily controlled by Voldemort.

Quixotic (Literature Characters)

Impractical idealist who chases goals with naivety and little common sense. From Don Quixote, where Don believes he is a knight, attacks windmills he thinks are giants, and tries to be a hero.

Ex. Gatsby’s dream of recreating his past with Daisy is quixotic.

Frankenstein + Frankenstein’s Monster

Creator crosses ethical boundaries and creates something they cannot control; the monster represents the creation turning against its creator. In Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein creates life that he cannot control.

Ex. Jurassic Park: Scientists create dinosaurs that turn against them.

Pollyanna (Literature Characters)

Extreme optimism that blinds someone to reality. From Eleanor Porter’s novel where Pollyanna plays the “Glad Game,” finding a silver lining in every situation.

Ex. Hunger Games: Effie Trinket focuses on fashion and excitement while ignoring that children are being sent to die.

Chekhov’s Gun (Literature Concepts)

Every detail introduced early must have a purpose or significance later. Playwright Chekhov advised not to put a rifle on stage if no one will use it.

Ex. Hunger Games: The Mockingjay pin introduced early becomes a symbol of rebellion.

Jekyll and Hyde (Literature Concepts)

Outwardly good but has a shocking evil side. Respectable Dr. Jekyll drinks a potion and transforms into the evil Mr. Hyde.

Ex. Barbie: The closet has an “evil switch.”

Don Juan/Don Juaism

Compulsive desire to seduce many partners. Don Juan is a legendary womanizer who tricks and seduces women.

Ex. Jane Eyre: Rochester openly discusses past mistresses while hiding his wife, Bertha.

Catch 22 (Literature Situations)

No-win situation where contradictory rules make it impossible to escape or solve a problem. From Joseph Heller’s novel where airmen can avoid dangerous missions only if insane, but asking to avoid them proves they are sane.

Ex. Hunger Games: If Katniss rebels, her loved ones may die; if she obeys, she helps continue oppression./Work experience no work experience.

Waiting for Godot (Literature Situations)

Waiting endlessly for something that may never happen, giving hope/purpose. From Samuel Beckett’s play where characters repeatedly wait for Godot, but he never arrives.

Ex. The Great Gatsby: Gatsby endlessly waits and hopes for a future with Daisy.

Hobson’s Choice (Literature Situations)

Situation seems to offer a choice, but there is really only one option. Stable owner Thomas Hobson made customers take the horse nearest the door or none at all.

Ex. The Hunger Games: Katniss can volunteer for Prim or let her sister go to the Games.

Orwellian (literature Situations)

Oppressive society with extreme government control, surveillance, and manipulation. From George Orwell’s 1984, where the government controls people’s actions and thoughts.

Ex. Hunger Games: The Capitol controls and monitors the districts through fear and propaganda.

Dickensian (Literature Concepts)

Refers to harsh living conditions and social inequality like in Charles Dickens’s novels. Often describes Victorian England, poor children, and the divide between rich and poor.

Ex. A Series of Unfortunate Events: Characters repeatedly face exaggerated, miserable circumstances.

Kafkaesque (Literature Situations)

Nightmarish, almost surreal feeling of helplessness caused by confusing or overbearing rules. From Franz Kafka’s works, where characters feel trapped by bureaucracy.

Ex. Being sent between government offices endlessly because each requires paperwork from the other.

Faustian Bargain (Literature Situations)

Someone sacrifices their morals at a great cost for material gain. Dr. Faustus trades his soul to the devil for knowledge and power.

Ex. The Little Mermaid: Ariel gives up her voice to Ursula for a chance to be with Eric.

Achilles Heel (Mythology Situations)

A single weakness of an otherwise seemingly unbeatable person. Achilles was dipped into the River Styx by his heel, leaving it vulnerable, and was later killed by an arrow there.

Ex. Superman’s weakness is kryptonite.

Noah’s Ark/The Flood (Old Testament)

Massive disaster or cleansing event with the possibility of a new beginning. In Genesis, God sends a flood because of human wickedness; Noah builds an ark to save his family and animals, and the rainbow symbolizes a new beginning.

Ex. The Hunger Games: The rebellion destroys the old government, allowing a new society to begin.

Tree of Knowledge/Forbeidden Fruit (Old Testament)

Humanity chooses to disobey God, representing the loss of innocence and free will. Adam and Eve eat the forbidden fruit and are driven out of the Garden of Eden.

Ex. Jane Eyre: Rochester asks Jane to stay after Bertha is exposed, tempting Jane to compromise her morals.

Mark of Cain (Old Testament)

isible sign of guilt and consequences for a serious wrongdoing. In Genesis, Cain kills Abel out of jealousy and is marked by God.

Ex. Macbeth: Macbeth’s imagined blood represents his lasting guilt after murder.

An Eye for an Eye (Old Testament)

Punishment should be proportional to the harm done. Originates from biblical law in the Old Testament: “eye for eye, tooth for tooth.”

Ex. A character seeks an equivalent punishment for the harm someone caused them.

Jacob’s Ladder (Old Testament)

God is there for protection during the lowest moments. Biblical dream where Jacob flees from home and dreams of a ladder connecting Earth to Heaven, with angels ascending and descending. (Earth and Heaven)

Ex. The Chronicles of Narnia uses a physical passage into another world that can represent a connection between earthly and divine realms.

Exodus (Old Testament)

a large-scale journey or mass departure of people from a place. Comes from the Book of Exodus, where the Israelites escape slavery in Egypt and journey toward the Promised Land.

Ex. During the Great Depression, thousands of families fled the Dust Bowl and migrated west in a mass exodus.

Good Samaritan (Old Testament)

Helping a stranger in distress. Comes from the Bible, where a traveler is robbed and left injured, and a Samaritan stops to help him.

Ex. Mrs. Reed appears to be a Good Samaritan in Mr. Brocklehurst’s eyes because she claims to be helping Jane by sending her to Lowood.

The Fall/Original Sin (Old Testament)

The loss of innocence and the idea that sin is inherent in human nature. Comes from Genesis 3, when Adam and Eve eat the forbidden fruit and sin enters the world.

Ex. Lord of the Flies reflects original sin because the boys’ corruption comes from human nature rather than external forces.

Scapegoat (Old Testament)

A person, group, or thing that is unfairly blamed or punished for the mistakes or bad actions of others. Comes from the Old Testament, where two goats were chosen: one was sacrificed, while the other, the scapegoat, symbolically carried the people’s sins into the wilderness.

Ex. In The Hunger Games, the tributes act as annual scapegoats who are punished as a reminder of the districts’ past rebellion.

The Golden Calf (Old Testament)

Something people worship or value obsessively, especially wealth or material possessions. Comes from the Old Testament, when Moses is receiving the Ten Commandments and the Israelites worship a golden calf instead of God, angering Moses.

Ex. In The Great Gatsby, wealth and status become Gatsby’s golden calf because he obsessively pursues them, believing they will help him win Daisy back.

Promised Land (Old Testament)

Doubt and disobedience lead to punishment, while faith and trust ultimately lead to success or reward. Comes from the Old Testament, where God promises Canaan to Abraham and his descendants; after the Israelites escape slavery in Egypt under Moses, they wander in the desert for 40 years before reaching the Promised Land.

Ex. In The Great Gatsby, Daisy represents Gatsby’s “promised land,” the ultimate future he believes his years of struggle and pursuit will eventually allow him to reach.

Lot’s Wife/Pillar of Salt (Old Testament)

Someone who cannot let go of the past or is afraid to move forward. Comes from Genesis, when God destroys Sodom and the angels tell Lot and his family to flee without looking back; Lot’s wife looks back and is turned into a pillar of salt.

Ex. In The Great Gatsby, Gatsby is like Lot’s wife because he cannot let go of his past with Daisy, which ultimately contributes to his death.

Tower of Babel (Old Testament)

A grand project or plan falls into chaos because people can no longer understand or communicate with one another. Comes from Genesis, when humanity speaks one language and attempts to build a tower reaching heaven, so God confuses their languages and scatters them across the world.

Ex. In Jane Eyre, Jane and Rochester’s wedding becomes like the Tower of Babel when Mr. Briggs and Richard Mason interrupt it, causing their plans to suddenly collapse into confusion and chaos.

David and Goliath (Old Testament)

An underdog defeats a much stronger or more powerful opponent. Comes from the Old Testament, where the young shepherd David unexpectedly defeats the giant Philistine warrior Goliath with a sling and stone.

Ex. In Jane Eyre, Jane standing up to the powerful Mrs. Reed resembles David and Goliath because Jane is the powerless underdog who finally challenges her authority.

The Nativity (New Testament)

Birth symbolizes hope, innocence, salvation, or a new beginning. Comes from the biblical story of the birth of Jesus under humble circumstances in Bethlehem, where he is visited by shepherds and wise men.

Ex. In Harry Potter, Harry is an extraordinary child whose birth and survival become connected to hope and eventual salvation from Voldemort.

Loaves and Fishes

Represents limited resources producing unexpectedly abundant results. Comes from the New Testament, when Jesus feeds thousands of people by blessing five loaves of bread and two fish.

Ex. A community project with limited funding that ends up helping thousands of people reflects the loaves and fishes.

Prodigal Son (New Testament)

A person who leaves home, behaves recklessly, and eventually returns humbled or seeking forgiveness. Comes from Jesus’s parable in the Gospel of Luke, where a son asks his father for his inheritance, leaves home and wastes it, becomes poor, and eventually returns asking for mercy.

Ex. In Modern Family, Haley resembles the prodigal son when she goes to college, behaves recklessly, gets arrested, and eventually returns home.

Resurrection (New Testament)

Rising from the dead or undergoing a symbolic rebirth, renewal, or second chance. Comes from the New Testament, where Jesus Christ willingly dies to save humanity and rises from the dead three days later.

Ex. In Harry Potter, Harry’s return after willingly facing death to protect others resembles a resurrection and symbolizes renewal and hope.

Walking on Water (New Testament)

Someone who possesses extraordinary faith that allows them to overcome seemingly human limitations. Comes from the New Testament, where Jesus walks on water; Peter is also able to walk toward him but begins to sink when fear causes his faith to falter.

Ex. In Onward, Ian walking across an invisible bridge using only his belief in the spell resembles walking on water because his faith allows him to overcome what seems physically impossible.

Crucification (New Testament)

Self-sacrifice or giving oneself up for the greater good of others. Comes from the New Testament, where Jesus, called the King of the Jews, is crucified and sacrifices his life for humanity’s sins.

Ex. In Spider-Man: No Way Home, Peter sacrifices his relationships by having everyone forget who he is in order to protect others.

Judas/Judas’ Kiss

Betraying someone who trusts you, especially when the betrayal is disguised as loyalty or affection. Comes from the New Testament, where Judas, one of Jesus’s disciples, betrays Jesus by kissing him as a signal to the authorities identifying whom they should arrest.

Ex. In Frozen, Hans’s betrayal of Anna resembles a Judas kiss because he gains her trust and pretends to love her before revealing his true intentions.

Doubting Thomas (New Testament)

Describes someone who is highly skeptical or difficult to convince without direct evidence. Comes from the New Testament, where the apostle Thomas refuses to believe that Jesus has been resurrected until he sees Jesus himself.

Ex. In Harry Potter, Hermione initially acts like a Doubting Thomas when she is skeptical of extraordinary claims unless there is evidence to support them.

Gethsemane (New Testament)

Represents a moment of intense emotional or psychological suffering that forces someone to confront their deepest values before making a sacrifice. Comes from the New Testament, where Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane before his crucifixion, experiences intense anguish, and ultimately accepts God’s plan.

Ex. In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Harry’s walk into the Forbidden Forest resembles Gethsemane because he faces the fear of his own death before willingly accepting his sacrifice.

Yin-Yang (World Culture)

Two opposite but complementary forces that balance each other and make up everything in the universe. Comes from ancient Chinese philosophy, where yin represents the shady, dark, or passive side and yang represents the sunny, light, or active side.

Ex. In Jane Eyre, Jane and Rochester represent yin and yang because their differences, including youth and age, balance and complement each other.

Karma (World Culture)

The idea that actions have consequences, or that you “reap what you sow.” Comes from ancient Indian religions, especially Hinduism and Buddhism, where a person’s actions influence their future experiences or circumstances.

Ex. In The Boy Who Cried Wolf, the boy experiences karma when his repeated lies cause people not to believe him when a wolf actually appears.

Nirvana (World Culture)

A state of ultimate peace, freedom from suffering, and freedom from desire or attachment. Comes from Buddhism, where nirvana is the ultimate goal achieved through enlightenment and liberation from the cycle of suffering.

Ex. In The Great Gatsby, Gatsby views reuniting with Daisy as his nirvana or perfect life, ironically because his idea of happiness depends entirely on desire and attachment.

Mecca (World Culture)

A place that attracts people because of their deep devotion to or interest in something. Comes from Islam, where Mecca is the holiest city and the destination of the Hajj pilgrimage that Muslims are expected to make at least once in their lifetime if able.

Ex. Nashville is considered a Mecca for country music because musicians and fans travel there to experience and learn more about the genre.

Dharma (World Culture)

A person’s moral duty or responsibility to act according to what is right and maintain cosmic order. Comes from Hinduism and texts such as the Bhagavad Gita, where Krishna teaches Arjuna to fulfill his duty as a warrior despite his personal conflict about fighting.

Ex. In The Hunger Games, Katniss follows her dharma by sacrificing her own safety to fulfill her moral duty of protecting her sister.

Holy Grail (World Culture)

Something that people intensely seek because it is extremely valuable, rare, or difficult to obtain. Comes from medieval European legends, especially Arthurian literature, about knights searching for the Holy Grail, traditionally described as the sacred cup associated with Jesus. Grail cup last supper and cauldrons.

Ex. Better Than Sex mascara is my holy grail because I consider it the ideal mascara and highly value it.

Bacchanalian (Myth Related Vocab)

Rowdy wild drunken out of control celebration that refers to uncontrolled fun. Named after Bacchus Roman god of wine and music ancient festivals in Rome.

Ex. Great Gatsby reckless parties.

Crossing the Rubicon (History)

Making an irreversible decision or taking an action from which there is no turning back. Comes from 49 BCE, when Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon River with his army despite Roman law forbidding a general from bringing troops into Italy, triggering a civil war that he ultimately won.

Ex. In Jane Eyre, Jane crosses the Rubicon when she discovers the truth about Bertha and decides to leave Thornfield, making an irreversible choice to abandon her life with Rochester.

Mcarthyism (History)

Making serious accusations of disloyalty or wrongdoing without credible evidence. Comes from Senator Joseph McCarthy in the 1950s during the Red Scare, when he accused government officials and others of being communists without sufficient evidence, contributing to widespread fear and hysteria.

Ex. The Salem Witch Trials resemble McCarthyism because people were accused of witchcraft with little or no credible evidence, creating widespread hysteria.

Battle of Waterloo (History)

Experiencing a catastrophic or final defeat. Comes from the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, where Napoleon’s French forces were defeated, ending his attempt to return to power.

Ex. Argentina could meet its Waterloo in the World Cup if it suffers a decisive defeat that ends its championship run.

Watergate (History)

An abuse of power or scandal that reveals deeper corruption, often involving an attempted cover-up. Comes from the Watergate scandal, when members connected to President Richard Nixon’s reelection campaign broke into the Democratic National Committee headquarters and the administration attempted to cover it up, eventually leading Nixon to resign.

Ex. A school administration secretly changing records and then covering up the evidence could become the school’s “Watergate.”

Salem Witch Trials (History)

Shows how fear, panic, and mass hysteria can overpower logic and reason. Comes from the 1692 Salem Witch Trials, when accusations of witchcraft spread throughout colonial Massachusetts, creating mass hysteria that resulted in the execution of 20 people.

Ex. In Lord of the Flies, the boys’ fear of the beast creates mass hysteria that contributes to Simon’s death.

Ides of March (History)

Represents a warning of impending betrayal, danger, or catastrophe. Comes from the assassination of Julius Caesar on March 15, 44 BCE, when the Roman dictator was stabbed to death by a group of senators.

Ex. In Jane Eyre, the splitting of the chestnut tree and other warnings before Jane’s wedding act like an Ides of March, foreshadowing the catastrophe that will disrupt her marriage to Rochester.

Quisling - There is a Moral World Order (History)

A traitor who collaborates with an enemy, suggesting that loyalty and morality exist beyond personal or political convenience. Comes from Vidkun Quisling, a Norwegian politician who collaborated with Nazi Germany during its occupation of Norway in World War II; his name became synonymous with “traitor.”

Ex. In Frozen, Hans can be considered a quisling because he pretends to support Anna and Arendelle while secretly pursuing his own power.