Literary Terminology LIT2020 FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE Metaphor a figure of speech in which an implied comparison is made between two unlike things that actually have something important in common w o using like or as Denotation the literal or primary meaning of a word in contrast to the feelings or ideas that the word suggests Connotation the associated cultural meaning of a word in addition to its explicit Simile a figure of speech in which two unlike things are explicitly compared using like Oxymoron a figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in meaning or as conjunction Synesthesia a technique adopted by writers to present ideas characters or places in such a manner that they appeal to more than one senses like hearing seeing smell etc at a given time Vernacular the language or dialect spoken by the ordinary people in a particular country or region Exposition background information New Terms Magical Realism incorporates fantastic or mythical elements into otherwise realistic fiction everyday occurrences Associated w Latin America Synesthesia a technique adopted by writers to present ideas characters or places in such a manner that they appeal to more than one senses like hearing seeing smell etc Denouncement the resolution of the issue of a complicated plot in fiction Cultural Movements Native American Literature Complex and has cultural diversity isolated both geographically culturally ghetto ized 1856 John Rollin Ridge wrote 1st widely known Native American literature but Native American literature was not considered valid until 1960s 70s Oral tradition repetition ritual beginnings endings archaic language terse writing style Myths explains beliefs about nature physical world setting in pre civilization beings are animal spirits in more or less human form flows into age of transformation Culture herores trickster provide for disorder and change mythology formation of world through struggle Southern Gothic from Gothic style popular in 1800s Europe Relies on supernatural ironic or unusual events to guide the plot Explore social issues Southern life Grotesque character s negative qualities highlights elements in Southern life Something in the setting is bizarre falling apart Cast off characters have broken bodies minds or souls The innocent act as redeemer for others Freak characters are set apart from the world in a negative way Outsider are set apart from the established culture but end up being heroes Contains imprisonment violence sense of place Haitian Literature Its history has been a big source of inspiration with heroes upheavals cruelties rites Latin American Literature tradition of oral narratives in earlier times Colonial period lead to written culture In 19th century more women educated more Latina writers End of WWII gave Latin America economic prosperity the boom leading to the rise in literature Authors crossed traditional boundaries and mixed writing styles and language Folklore collection of legends music oral history proverbs jokes popular beliefs fairy tales stories tall tales and customs included in the traditions of a culture subculture or group Fantasy utilize the motifs themes and stylistic approaches expected in fantasy genre which is using magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary plot element theme or setting Author has the ability to use any story telling element to strengthen the narrative Symbolism often big Middle Eastern Literature religious tales moral instruction Types of Point of View Omniscient All knowing narrator plays no part in the story They can know and tell what any character is thinking and feeling and they know what is happening in all of the story s setting First person The narrator knows and can tell only what he or she thinks and feels may be reliable and trustworthy or an unreliable narrator emotional resident realistic use of I Third person Plays no part in the story knows and can tell what a single character is thinking and feeling use of he or she Privilege Gender male social economic and political advantages or rights that are made available to men solely on the basis of their sex female Class the advantages and immunities enjoyed by a group because of their economic status to the disadvantage of others Race white is a term for societal privileges that benefit white people in western countries beyond what is commonly experienced by the non white people under the same social political or economic circumstances Types of Characters Flat Has 1 or 2 character traits no depth Round have many different character traits that sometimes contradict each other more like real people Dynamic change or grow as a result of the story s action they learn something about themselves other people or the world as they struggle to resolve their conflicts changes contribute to the meaning of the story Static they don t change or grow subordinate characters are often static Plot Plot diagram Chronic vs acute tension Chronic is recurring ever present and incurable too much of this can make the story seem slow and depressing Acute tension is small finite and controllable Timing Pacing the plot of the story is framed by a time span that suits the writer s purpose Slow down time to emphasize a moment of danger and speed up time to skip over events that don t move the story along Flashback a transition in a story to an earlier time that interrupts the normal chronological order of events Flash forward a scene that takes the narrative forward in time from the current point of the story in literature often used to represent events expected projected or imagined to occur in the future Foreshadowing the use of indicative word or phrases and hints that set the stage for a story to unfold and give the reader a hint of something that is going to happen without revealing the story or spoiling the suspense Definition of a Short Story Edgar Allen Poe s definition A Short Story can be read in one sitting and offers the fairest field for the exercise of the loftiest talent readers aren t distracted by external or extrinsic influences produced by weariness or interruption Authors title of book we read in class George Eliot Brother Jacob real name was Mary Ann Evans and used George Elliot as her pen name From the Victorian era one of the few female writers to experiment with the topic of realism and psychological wisdom Controversy for her denial of Christian faith Edgar Allen Poe Murders in the Rue Morgue best known for his tales of