Unit 1 Head and Heart
Aeolian harp
also called a wind harp; relates to poetry's close association to music and the harmony it creates between mind and object
apostrophe
a figure of speech in which a thing or a nonexistent person is addressed as if they were there
assonance
used to create internal rhyming by repetition of vowel sounds
autobiography
a genre written in a narrative style by and about oneself
blank verse
writing arranged without a rhythm or rhyming structure
collaborate
when people work together in a joint effort in order to produce something or accomplish an overall goal
conceal and disclose
a dynamic to both keep hidden and to uncover as revolving parts in a dialogue
conceit
an extended metaphor that exploits a kind of logic throughout a poem to create a surprising comparison
concrete
a term that represents a person or object perceived through the senses and which hold the poet's intense emotional experience
confessional narrative
a first-person style of writing revealing a person's whole life with all its finest and bleakest motivations
conflict
an element of the plot occurring when two opposing forces struggle against one another
consciousness
the awareness by the mind of oneself and the world; perceptions of something or someone
construct
way of making something; the composition of something
dialogue
a conversation between characters in a narrative or a literary conversation
dramatic irony
a literary device that occurs when a character reacts to an event in a most contrary way
epistolary
made up of written letters
ethos
a rhetorical device that employs the use of an overarching ideology or idea in order to appeal to or persuade an audience
etiquette
code of proper behavior demanded by society
extended metaphor
a comparison of two unlike things that continues throughout all or part of a literary work
figurative language
language not meant to be interpreted literally but that adds richness to text through metaphor and other language elements
foretell
a form of foreshadowing in which the poet hints at possible outcomes
freewriting
a style of writing in which a person continuously writes without regard to proper grammatical structure
imagery
objects of sense perception or the description of visible objects that are considered essential to writing poetry
imagination
a mental process for forming images that do not exist in reality but are conjured often for a literary work
impetus
motivation or incentive that helps to drive ideas; forces that make something happen
inference
a logical conclusion drawn out from a text about an idea that is not directly stated
irony
the use of language to say one thing and mean something quite different, often the opposite
literary device
words used to frame meaning in the analysis and interpretation of literature
literary period
groups or types of work gathered into a timeframe and labeled as a specific period or movement
literary techniques
tools an author uses to add to the aesthetic quality of his writing, often conveying a deeper meaning of the text.
logos
a rhetorical device that employs the use of logic to appeal to or persuade an audience
lyric
a short poem expressing a personal thought or feeling or perception
metaphor
a figure of speech in which a word or phrase commonly used to name one thing is used to represent another
mode
a way or manner in which something is expressed
mysticism
a spiritual belief that looks to meditation for truths by way of direct experiences and insights
nature imagery
a way of writing poetry appealing especially to elements in nature, such as lush rolling hills or crashing waves
negative capability
an ability to think about the world without trying to make contradictory aspects fit a rational system
Neoclassicism
a period in art and literary history marked by a style inspired by ancient Greek and Roman culture
novel of manners
term used for fiction that is set in a particular time period that includes a great detail about the everyday “manners” of the characters in the novel
ode
a lyric poem expressing a strong sentiment of praise towards someone or something
paradox
a statement that makes sense but includes two contradictory parts
pathos
a rhetorical device that employs the use of emotions as a way to appeal to or persuade an audience
peripeteia
when something unexpected happens in a literary work that engages the reader to move toward discovering that key to the entire work
personification
a figure of speech in which natural things or animals have human qualities
plot
the sequence of events that happen in a story
poetic diction
the language of poetry—vocabulary, grammar, phrasing—that distinguishes it from other forms of writing in a given historical period
point of view
the perspective from which a work is told
predictions
assumptions about future events based on information in a passage
primogeniture
the succession of property and wealth to the eldest son
Regency period
designated period of English history roughly between 1810and 1835
rhetoric
language or figures of speech that are meant to persuade and impress an audience
romantic
an effusive manner of writing; characteristic of an artistic and intellectual eighteenth century movement having particular interest in nature
Romanticism
British and European artistic and philosophical movement extending from the late eighteenth century through the mid-nineteenth century that emphasized individuality, subjectivity, and passionate emotion
satire
a work that ridicules and criticizes people's vices, shortcomings, and flaws
sense
a realistic and reasonable attitude; as Jane Austen used it: reason
sense of an ending
a phrase used in literary works to show an intrinsic push within the work toward a conclusion that satisfies and resolves
sensibility
an insight of the emotions; as Jane Austen used it: passion
sibilance
making a stream of air come through the lips to accentuate fricative sounds, as in “shshsh”
situational irony
a literary device that occurs when an action has an unintended or unexpected consequence
sonnet
a poem of one stanza with fourteen lines and using iambic pentameter when written in English
style
the way in which writers or speakers say what they want to say
subjective
an introspective frame of mind oriented to personal, inner experience rather than toward the external world
subjectivity
the inner sense of self; experience as one lives through it
symbolism
symbolism in literature applies to a word or object used to signify another object or event that is associated usually by resemblance
synecdoche
a figure of speech in which a part of a machine or body represents the whole idea
transition figure
a figure who stood between two periods in history; William Blake is a transition figure in literature.
terza rima
a rhyming verse form with an interlocking three-rhyme scheme to create a chain rhyme
verbal irony
a literary device that is intended to mean the opposite of what is stated; a contradiction that is intended to create humor
volta
the turning point in a sonnet, where the thoughts of the speaker take a new direction
wit
humor expressed through clever word play or by comical statements
Unit 2 The Individual and Society
adaptation
in biology, a change in structure, function, or behavior by which a species or individual improves its chance of survival in a specific environment
allusion
reference within one text to another text
alternating order
a form of organizing a comparative essay in which the writer addresses both views of each comparison point one at a time
archaic language
phrasing and word usage that was common at one time, but is no longer used in the same way
Arthurian legend
the stories associated with a legendary British king whose capital, Camelot, was home to the Knights of the Round Table, renowned for their bravery, fighting skill, and chivalry
austere
severe or strict, and lacking any comforts or luxuries
autonomy
the condition of being independent or free from another’s control
ballad
a poem that narrates a story
block order
a form of organizing a comparative essay that covers all the points on one item of comparison before addressing the points of the other item
Bildungsroman
German term for a coming-of-age novel or a novel of formation
character foil
a character who contrasts with another, and, in doing so, draws attention to their differeences
chivalry
the ideal created for knights in the Middle Ages, which required them to be brave, honorable, loyal, and considerate to others—women in particular
cliché
a colorful use of language that has, through overuse, lost its power and effectiveness
coming-of-age story
a type of narrative that relates the process by which a child grows up and gains maturity
connotation
the implied meaning of a word, which includes emotional associations
context clue
hint about the meaning of a word based on its use and the words around it
denotation
the specific, literal meaning of a word
denouement
the final resolution or events that occur following the climax of a narrative
despotism
a form of government that has one ruler who cruelly or arbitrarily abuses power
direct characterization
aspects of a character’s nature or personality that are revealed to the reader directly, whether through the narrator’s observations, the words or actions of the character, or the words or actions of other characters
end rhyme
rhyming the final syllables of lines in poetry
foreshadowing
hinting or suggesting events that will happen later in a literary work
genera
biology term that means descent, family, type, gender
Gothic novel
a long narrative that includes such elements as a vulnerable heroine, a dark and brooding hero with a painful secret, and an air of mystery and danger with elements of the supernatural
impetuous
impulsive or rash
indirect characterization
aspects of a character’s nature or personality that the reader must infer on the basis of information in the text
Industrial Revolution
transpiring in England around the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, this is a time when individuals began working in factories, when hand tools gave way to powered machines, and when people began moving into or closer to urban areas
intelligent design
the theory that matter, the various forms of life, and the world were created by an intelligent designer or intelligent Creator
internal conflict
a struggle taking place inside the mind of a character
irony
the expression of words or ideas opposed to what is literally meant or expected
liberalism
a political ideology with its beginnings in Western Europe that rejects authoritarian government and defends freedom of speech, association, and religion, and the right to own property
metaphor
a type of figurative language that compares something to something it differs from and, in doing so, points out similarities
mood
the emotion or atmosphere evoked by a literary work
motif
recurring symbolic element in a work of art
motivation
the reason (or reasons) that a character behaves in a particular way, which can reflect that character’s personality, life experiences, ideals, values, and goals
novel of manners
a long narrative that forms a study of the characteristic behaviors, customs, and values of a particular society
polarize
causing two opposing and somewhat hostile reactions
predestination
the doctrine that God, in consequence of his foreknowledge of all events, infallibly guides those who are destined for salvation
problem play
a play that addresses a problem in society through its characters; characters in a problem play typically represent the various societal viewpoints of the respective problem
Realism
a movement in literature and the arts in which authors and artists attempted to depict reality while avoiding the insertion of supernatural or exotic elements
realistic contemporary drama
a specific type of drama that addressed societal issues, and presented everyday people in ordinary situations
regression
backward movement of a character, as opposed to progress; can refer either to changing or returning to an earlier, undesirable state
Romanticism
a movement in literature and the arts during the late 18th and early nineteenth centuries that focused on individuality and inspiration found through nature
struggle
to make strenuous or violent efforts in the face of difficulties or opposition
symbol
a person, object, or event that has meaning beyond its literal significance
syntax
the placement of words, phrases, and clauses in a particular order in a sentence
thesis
a form of organizing a comparative essay in which the writer addresses both views of each comparison point one at a time
Utilitarianism
the ethical doctrine that the greatest happiness of the greatest number should be the criterion of the virtue of action
variation
according to Darwin, the product of natural selection; diversity
Victorian Era
the period in England when Queen Victoria reigned, from 1837 until 1901; this time period was known for its focus on morality, human behavior, and etiquette
Unit 3 The Search for Meaning
a priori
presumed or predetermined without question
absurd
an illogical or unreasonable idea
alienation
a withdrawal/separation from an object or position of former attachment
anguish
the feeling man has upon realizing his responsibility in creating himself and humanity
anxiety
a state of uneasiness and apprehension, as about future uncertainties
aphorism
an observation about life or the world that is presented as if it were a general truth
biographical strategy
a literary analysis that considers how information about the life of the writer might enhance understanding of a text
biographical-historical strategy
reading a text in light of an author's personal history or a shared cultural history
bourgeoisie
the affluent, conventional, materialistic middle class
chalice
the wine cup used in the Christian Eucharist
connotation
implied meaning of a word
deconstructionist strategy
a literary analysis that considers how meaning is unstable and often conflicting upon closer inspection
denotation
exact meaning of a word
despair
the idea that people should only be concerned with what they can control or what directly affects their potential to act
epiphanies
moments of self-awareness; moments of awareness of the true nature of an environment
existentialism
a philosophy that believes that individuals function as sole agents in an isolated, meaningless, and absurd world
fallacy
a mistaken belief
fate
the course of events that are beyond control; destiny
feminism
the advocacy and appeal of women’s rights in the political, social, and economic realms of society
foil character
a character whose personality traits or behaviors contrast with the main character in a way that defines the main character
forlornness
the feeling man has in the belief that God does not exist and the repercussions of that belief
formalist strategy
an approach in which literary scholars focus primarily on a text in isolation; analyzing how formal aspects contribute to meaning
imagery
visual description used in literature
intangible
unable to be touched; not physical
literary canon
a group of core texts viewed as particularly important to read, teach, and analyze in a particular tradition
literary period
a classification of literature, produced by using a particular writing style or written during a specific time period
minor character
a character who is important to the development of the plot, but is not necessarily central to the themes or meaning of the story
Modernism
revolutionary ideas in art, architecture, philosophy, and literature that developed during the early 20th century
mythological strategy
a critical approach focusing on the depiction of universal experiences common to all of humanity across traditions
nihilistic
a belief that life is pointless and meaningless; a rejection of faith and principles based on the idea that life is futile
novella
a very short novel
paradox
a statement that seems absurd or self-contradictory but that is true
paralysis
inability to act or function
protagonist
the main character in a text
psychological strategy
reading at text through the lens of prominent psychological ideas and theories
reader-response strategy
an approach to literary analysis that considers the active creation of meaning by individual readers
repetition
the technique of repeating the same word or phrase as a way of creating meaning or rhythm
rhetoric
the art of effective, persuasive communication
salver
a ritual tray that holds the wine goblet in church
sarcasm
the use of irony to mock or convey contempt
satirical
having the quality of something that pokes fun or shows a major human flaw or misguided way of thinking
scrupulous meanness
pared-down language which uses a minimal palette of words, images, and emotions
sociological strategy
an approach to literary analysis, such as Marxist and feminist, that considers implications of politics and power within a text
stream-of-consciousness
a person’s thoughts and reactions, presented in a continuous, uninterrupted flow
sterility
lacking imagination, creativity, vitality; not productive or effective
story within a story
a literary technique of telling a short story within a longer work
subjectivism
the philosophical view that the meaning of human life is relative to the subject and depends on an individual's desires, choices, and goals
subjectivity
the inner sense of self; the quality of an individual who possesses conscious experiences, including perspectives, feelings, beliefs, and desires
symbol
literary device where something physical represents something nonphysical for the purpose of emphasizing a theme or idea
syntax
the grammatical rules for forming sentences
tautology
circular reasoning
theme
the subject of a piece of literature
understatement
a literary technique in which a writer states something with less emphasis than is intended