Lit terms 76-90 Flashcards
Anaphora
the deliberate repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of several successive verses, clauses, or paragraphs
Apocalyptic
describes literature concerned with predicting the ultimate destiny of the world, imminent catastrophe, and/or final judgement
atmosphere
the prevailing or overall mood of a literary word (usually setting or landscape)
avant-garde
new writings which show string innovations in style, form, and subject matter
ballad
a simple poem which deals with a dramatic situation usually created for singing
canon
term given to the accepted body of works by an author and more generally, to those works considered superior, central, or most worthy of study
cliché
an overused phrase which has lost its freshness or an overused situation
denouement
the final outcome in a play or story: usually the climax has already occured
deus ex machina
based on the practice in classical tragedy of bringing on a god by stage machinery to solve superhuman difficulties. (usually used to describe unexpected or improbably occurrences which save the situation)
empathy
the involuntary projecting of oneself into something or someone else, participating in a physical or emotion response to the literary character object or situation
euphemism
the use of an agreeable or non-offensive word or expression for one that is harsh, indelicate or unpleasant (passing away vs dying)
satire
writing that holds up to ridicule or contempt the weakness and wrongdoing of groups, individuals, institutions, or humanity in general. set moral standard and then attempt to change the views through laughter
stream of consciousness
a form of interior monologue that represents the characters’s conscience
tone
the writers or speakers attitude toward his subject and his audience and even sometimes toward himself
