Pullman High School - American Literature (Final)

General Terms to know

Story Plot Chart

Exposition

Rising action

Climax

Falling action

Resolution

Direct Characterization

Indirect Characterization

Theme vs. Subject vs. Motif

Symbolism

Mood

Tone

Witch-hunt

Mass Hysteria

Two-ness/duality (think Absolutely True Diary of Part Time Indian)

Text Specific Terms to Know

You are responsible for remember some key information about the following pieces of literature:

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian

The Crucible

The Things They Carried (up to “How to tell a True War Story”

“The Black Cat”

“The Masque of the Red Death”

“Smokers Inc”

“Sinners at the Hand of an Angry God”

I’m not going to ask you to repeat the whole story, but you will need to know some main ideas include:

Who the author is

Who the protagonist is

Who the antagonist is

A story plot chart for the story/novel/play

Main conflict(s) of the piece

Main theme(s) of the piece

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don’t give me a subject here

A THEME is what he author thinks about a subject

Example: Jurassic Park is about science going too far (SUBJECT).

The THEME would be what the author thinks about science going too far.

Genre Specific Terms to Know

You should be able to identify each type of literature from example texts

Colonial Literature

Know main authors--- “Sinners at the Hands of an Angry God”

Recognize main texts

Know how the Crucible fits, but is NOT colonial lit (it was written the 1950s)

Know main concerns/ defining properties

Know types of literature in the genre (in what form are you going to find it?)

Postmodernism

Narration

Style

Foreshadowing

Metafiction

Pastiche

Absurdity

Dark Romantic/Gothic Literature

How do we identify gothic traits?

Be able to discuss main authors and main themes

I’m going to give you a list of essay questions, I’ll have two of these listed on your test and you’ll need to pick one to answer. Your essay should be AT LEAST 1 full paragraph (6-8 sentences) THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO PREP AHEAD OF TIME. :)

What is the significance of the physical and emotional burdens carried by the soldiers in "The Things They Carried"? How do these burdens shape the characters?

Explain the major properties of Gothic Literature. Do you think the properties are effective for the time period? Why or why not? How is it different from American Romantic pieces?

Pick a major theme of The Crucible and explain how the creation of the story arch (think story plot chart) aids to understanding that theme. (DON’T JUST GIVE ME A SUMMARY)

Discuss the theme of identity and its impact on the protagonist in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. How does Junior's struggle with identity shape the narrative and convey broader messages about culture, community, and self-discovery?

Based on the pieces we have read so far, how might we define the American experience through writing? Be able to compare and contrast at least two different pieces of writing in your response.