Allegory>> characters and events represent qualities or concepts
Alliteration>> repetition of initial consonant sounds
Allusion>> a reference to a literary work, myth, Biblical story, historical event, or some other
cultural artefact
Archetype>> the original pattern or model from which all other similar items are derived; a
primordial, universal symbol
Assonance>> repetition of vowel sounds in a series of words
Characterization>> process of character development in a text
Static Character>> Remains unchanged throughout a work (e.g. Elizabeth Lavenza)
Dynamic Character>> Change (for better or worse) in response to circumstances or experience
(e.g Offred)
Flat Character>> Caricatures, defined by a single idea or quality (Safie; Caroline Beaufort)
Round Character>> fully developed, with complexities of real people (Victor, the Creature,
Offred, Serena Joy etc etc)
Protagonist>> central character, usually identical to the hero
Antagonist>> Character pitted against the protagonist
Foil>> Character, who by contrast with the protagonist, serves to accentuate that character's
distinctive qualities
Comedy>> any amusing and entertaining work using humor or wit as the essential element;
intended purpose may be to evoke laughter
Conflict>> confrontation or struggle between opposing characters or plot of narrative work, from
which the action emanates and around which it evolves. There are 4 types.
Physical Conflict>> Elemental clash between character and Nature, or the physical environment
Social Conflict>> competition or struggle within society
Internal/psychological Conflict>> inner divisions or turmoil of a single character
Metaphysical Conflict>> Clash between a human being and Fate or a deity
Connotation>> The associations called up by a word that goes beyond its dictionary meaning.
Poets, especially, tend to use words rich in connotation.
Consonance>> Repetition of consonant sounds, not necessarily initial
Convention>> A customary feature of a literay work, such as the use of a chorus in Greek
tragedy, the inclusion of an explicit moral in a fable, or the use of a particular rhyme scheme in a
villanelle. Literary conventions are defining features of particular literary genres, such as novel,
short story, ballad or play.
Denotation>> The dictionary meaning of the word. Writers typically play off word's denotative
meaning against its connotations, or suggested and implied associational implications.
Denouement>> The resolution of the plot of a literary work.
Diction>> An author's choice of words
Enjambment>> use of a line of poetry whose sense and rhythmic movement continues to the
next line; "run-off" line
Epiphany>> Sudden revelatory experience through which a character suddenly understands the
essence of a (generally commonplace) object, gesture, statement, situation, moment or mentality
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