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AP Literature Flashcards

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6681741982caricaturea picture, description, or imitation of a person or thing in which certain striking characteristics are exaggerated in order to create a comic or grotesque effect.0
6681741983direct characterthe process by which the personality of a fictitious character is revealed by the use of descriptive adjectives, phrases, or epithets. Compare indirect characterization.1
6681741984indirect characterthe process by which the writer shows the character's personality through speech, actions and appearance.2
6681741985dynamic charactera literary or dramatic character who undergoes an important inner change, as a change in personality or attitude3
6681741986foilcharacter who contrasts with another character —usually the protagonist— in order to highlight particular qualities of the other character4
6681741987personathe mask of an actor, and is therefore etymologically linked to the dramatis personae which refers to the list of characters and cast in a play or a drama. It is also known as a theatrical mask.5
6681741988protagonistis the central character or leading figure in poetry, narrative, novel or any other story. sometimes called a "hero" by the audience or readers.6
6681741989static charactera literary or dramatic character who undergoes little or no inner change; a character who does not grow or develop.7
6681741990stereotypeis a character, with generalized traits (characteristics that make the character a group representative rather than an individual).8
6681741991stock charactera literary or dramatic character who represents the view of the masss. represent a whole society9
6681741992atmosphererefers to the feeling, emotion, or mood a writer conveys to a reader through the description of setting and objects. main emotion attached to the work10
6681741993mooda literary element that evokes certain feelings or vibes in readers through words and descriptions. Usually referred to as the atmosphere of a literary piece, as it creates an emotional situation that surrounds the readers.11
6681741994settinga piece of literature is the time and place in which the story takes place. can also include social statuses, weather, historical period, and details about immediate surroundings. Settings can be real or fictional, or a combination of both real and fictional elements.12
6681741995stream of consciousnessIn literature, stream of consciousness is a method of narration that describes in words the flow of thoughts in the minds of the characters13
6681741996ambiguitywords or statements lead to vagueness and confusion, and shape the basis for instances of unintentional humor.14
6681741997clicherefers to an expression that has been overused to the extent that it loses its original meaning or novelty. may also refer to actions and events which are predictable because of some previous events.15
6681741998connotationrefers to a meaning that is implied by a word apart from the thing which it describes explicitly. Words carry cultural and emotional associations or meanings in addition to their literal meanings16
6681741999denotationgenerally defined as literal or dictionary meanings of a word in contrast to its connotative or associated meanings. Let us try to understand this term with the help of an example.17
6681742000dialectThe language used by the people of a specific area, class, district or any other group of people. The term involves the spelling, sounds, grammar and pronunciation used by a particular group of people and it distinguishes them from other people around them.18
6681742001euphemismrefers to polite, indirect expressions which replace words and phrases considered harsh and impolite or which suggest something unpleasant.19
6681742002asidewhen a character's dialogue is spoken but not heard by the other actors on the stage. Asides are useful for giving the audience special information about the other characters onstage or the action of the plot.20
6681742003dialogueis a literary technique in which writers employ two or more characters to be engaged in conversation with each other.21
6681742004soliloquyBecause they're alone when they deliver these speeches, a character might reveal some very key thoughts, feelings, and opinions to us audience members22
6681742005subtextAn implicit meaning or theme of a literary text. The underlying personality of a dramatic character as implied or indicated by a script or text and interpreted by an actor in performance.23
6681742006archetypea typical character, an action or a situation that seems to represent such universal patterns of human nature, may be a character, a theme, a symbol or even a setting.24
6681742007epiphanythat moment in the story where a character achieves realization, awareness or a feeling of knowledge after which events are seen through the prism of this new light in the story.25
6681742008motifany recurring element that has symbolic significance in a story.26
6681742009romancenarration of the extraordinary exploits of heroes, often in exotic or mysterious settings. The term has also been used for stories of mysterious adventures, not necessarily of heroes.27
6681742010Horatian satireSatire in which the voice is indulgent, tolerant, amused, and witty. The speaker holds up to gentle ridicule the absurdities and follies of human beings, aiming at producing in the reader not the anger of a Juvenal, but a wry smile.28
6681742011juvenalian satireany bitter and ironic criticism of contemporary persons and institutions that is filled with personal invective, angry moral indignation, and pessimism.29
6681742012comedya literary genre and a type of dramatic work that is amusing and satirical in its tone, mostly having cheerful ending.30
6682031221tragedydrama or literary work in which the main character is brought to ruin or suffers extreme sorrow, especially as a consequence of a tragic flaw, moral weakness, or inability to cope with unfavorable circumstances. b. The genre made up of such works. c. The art or theory of writing or producing these works.31
6682102202occasionwho why what32
6682154269titleusually associated with the theme33
6713441571framea literary technique that sometimes serves as a companion piece to a story within a story, whereby an introductory or main narrative is presented, at least in part, for the purpose of setting the stage either for a more emphasized second narrative.34
6713441572subplota secondary plot, or a strand of the main plot that runs parallel to it and supports it. It is usually found in plays, novels, short stories, television shows and movies. It is also known as a minor story35
6713441573unreliablea narrator, whether in literature, film, or theatre, whose credibility has been seriously compromised.36
6713441574naivea character who fails to understand all or some of the implications of the story he or she tells, used by the author to generate irony, sympathy or irony. ... a voice or character that provides the reader with information and insight about the characters and incidents in a narrative.37
6713441575incongruitymeans out of place — something that doesn't fit in its location or situation.38
6713441576witform of intelligent humour, the ability to say or write things that are clever and usually funny39
6693337647framea literary technique that sometimes serves as a companion piece to a story within a story, whereby an introductory or main narrative is presented, at least in part, for the purpose of setting the stage either for a more emphasized second narrative.40
6693337648subplota secondary plot, or a strand of the main plot that runs parallel to it and supports it. It is usually found in plays, novels, short stories, television shows and movies. It is also known as a minor story41
6693337649unreliablea narrator, whether in literature, film, or theatre, whose credibility has been seriously compromised.42
6693337650naivea character who fails to understand all or some of the implications of the story he or she tells, used by the author to generate irony, sympathy or irony. ... a voice or character that provides the reader with information and insight about the characters and incidents in a narrative.43
6693337651incongruitymeans out of place — something that doesn't fit in its location or situation.44
6693337652witform of intelligent humour, the ability to say or write things that are clever and usually funny45

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