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AP Literature Terms 31-60 Flashcards

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7482816686FableA usually short narrative making an edifying or cautionary point and often employing as characters animals that speak and act like humans.0
7482816687Feminine endingTerm that refers to an unstressed extra syllable at the end of a line of iambic pentameter.1
7482817411Figurative languageSpeech or writing that departs from literal meaning in order to achieve a special effect or meaning. Speech or writing employing figures of speech.2
7482817412FlashbackWhen a character remembers a past event that is relevant to the current action of the story3
7482817413Flat characterA literary character whose personality can be defined by one or two traits and does not change over the course of the story. These characters are usually minor or insignificant characters.4
7482818337FoilA character that by contrast underscores or enhances the distinctive characteristics of another.5
7482818338FolkloreThe traditional beliefs, myths, tales, and practices of a people, transmitted orally.6
7482828151FootThe metrical length of a line is determined by the number of these it contains. Monometer: One Dimeter: Two Trimeter: Three Tetrameter: Four Pentameter: Five Hexameter: Six Heptameter: Seven The most common of these have two to three syllables, with one stressed.7
7482828152IambThese make up a type of foot that has two syllables. The first is unstressed and the second is stressed.8
7482829874TrocheeThese make up a type of foot that has two syllables. The first is stressed and the second is unstressed.9
7482829875DactylThese make up a type of foot that has three syllables beginning with a stressed syllable; the other two unstressed.10
7482829876AnapestThese make up a type of foot that has three syllables. The first two are unstressed with the third stressed.11
7482831296ForeshadowingClues in the text about incidents that will occur later in the plot, creates anticipation in the novel.12
7482831297Free verseType of verse that contains a variety of line lengths, is unrhymed, and lacks traditional meter.13
7482836946GenreA category of artistic composition, as in music or literature, marked by a distinctive style, form, or content.14
7482836947Gothic novelA genre of fiction characterized by mystery and supernatural horror, often set in a dark castle or other medieval setting.15
7482838600HeroineA woman noted for courage and daring action or the female protagonist.16
7482838601HubrisUsed in Greek tragedies, refers to excessive pride that usually leads to a hero's downfall.17
7482841120HyperboleA figure of speech in which exaggeration is used for emphasis or comic/dramatic effect.18
7482841121IllocutionLanguage that avoids meaning of the words. When we speak, sometimes we conceal intentions or side step the true subject of a conversation. Writing this expresses two stories, one of which is not apparent to the characters, but is apparent to the reader. For example, if two characters are discussing a storm on the surface it may seem like a simple discussion of the weather, however, the reader should interpret the underlying meaning-that the relationship is in turmoil, chaos, is unpredictable. As demonstrated the story contains an underlying meaning or parallel meanings.19
7482846190ImageryThe use of vivid or figurative language to represent objects, actions, or ideas.20
7482846191In medias resA story that begins in the middle of things.21
7482846192InversionIn poetry is an intentional digression from ordinary word order which is used to maintain regular meters. For example, rather than saying "the rain came" a poem may say "came the rain". Meters can be formed by the insertion or absence of a pause.22
7482847113IronyWhen one thing should occur, is apparent, or in logical sequence but the opposite actually occurs. Example: A man in the ocean might say, "Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink." Dramatic: When the audience or reader knows something characters do not know Verbal: When one thing is said, but something else, usually the opposite, is meant Cosmic: When a higher power toys with human expectations23
7482847114Masculine endingStressed extra syllable at the end of a line.24
7482847899MemoirAn account of the personal experiences of an author.25
7482847900MeterThe measured arrangement of words in poetry, as by accentual rhythm, syllabic quantity, or the number of syllables in a line.26
7482849009MetaphorA figure of speech in which a word or phrase that ordinarily designates one thing is used to designate another, thus making an implicit comparison; this comparison does not use like or as.27
7482849010MetonymyThe use of a word or phrase to stand in for something else which it is often associated. ie. Lamb means Jesus28
7482849961MotifA dominant theme or central idea29

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