Terminology Flashcards
(73 cards)
Absurd
A term for novels and plays which, through their lack of conventional form and structure, appear to represent the absurdity of the human condition.
Act
A major division of action, theme or setting in a play.
Allegory
One story told in the guise of another to give fresh insight to a particular situation. Many myths and religious stories are allegories.
Alliteration
Repetitive use of a letter or sound, often used in poetry, e.g. ‘leaping lightly’.
Allusion
A reference, either directly or obliquely, to something or someone assumed to be common knowledge, e.g. a well-known person, place or another work of literature.
Anecdote
Brief account of an incident or story, usually with a point to make. Essays and regular newspaper columns often begin with an anecdote to catch the reader’s attention.
Antagonist
The character who opposes the hero / Balances the protagonist. Often precipitates events which lead to their downfall.
Anticlimax
A high point in a story which appears to be the climax but falls short of expectations created (can be used as adj.) Used to great comic/dramatic effect.
Anti-hero
A protagonist who lacks heroic qualities. Defies the convention of having a hero/attractive character as protagonist of narratives/plays.
Archetype
A character, symbol or theme which recurs in literature or mythology, e.g. the search for identity, the wise old man.
Assonance
The repetition of a vowel sound for effect, e.g. ‘long days lolling’ uses ‘o’ sound repetition to lengthen words > languorous effect.
Atmosphere
The overall tone or mood of a piece of writing conveyed through description of the setting, weather and characters.
Audience
The readers of a literary text / The individuals watching the performance of a play or film.
Autobiography
A person telling his or her own life story. Expected to be a factual account.
Ballad
Traditional song from the late Middle Ages which narrates dramatic events, often in dialogue. A four-line stanza, rhyme and a refrain assisted oral transmission.
Belief
To assent to the truth of a statement or to a set of statements or propositions.
Biography
The story of a person’s life as told by a third person.
Blank Verse
Unrhymed lines of iambic pentameter.
Canon
The notion that there is a set of ‘classic’ literary works of great value / set of texts that set a representative standard.
Catharsis
The release of emotions felt by an audience witnessing a tragedy / Intense emotional experience resulting in relief afterwards.
Character
An imaginary person created in a literary form. Stock or flat characters play minor roles in a narrative or play, and round or complex characters are usually the major characters.
Characterisation
The writer’s description of how a character looks, and what they say, do and think.
Chorus
A group of actors whose dances and choral odes were an integral part of early Greek drama.
Class
The division of society into groups depending on wealth, power, education or occupation.
