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AP Literature Flashcards

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7605812555ThemeThe central idea or dominating thought, which results from the elements contained in fiction. This summarizes the author's purpose in writing the narrative.0
7605812556Major Themes in Literature• Human Nature • The Nature of Society • Fate and Freedom • Ethics1
7605812557DualismTheme The belief that humans have two natures.2
7605812558SynesthesiaTrope The mingling of senses.3
7605812559ConceitTrope A controlling piece of figurative language.4
7605812560MetonymTrope When you replace one word with another word through association. Ex.) The White House gave a press conference.5
7605812561SynecdocheTrope When you replace a word for another from whole to part or part to whole. Ex.) nice wheels!6
7605812562UnderstatementTrope When you undervalue the intensity of something.7
7605812563ParallelismSyntax A balance of structure. Uses a same general structure for multiple parts of a sentence or for multiple sentences.8
7605812564AntithesisSyntax Built by contrasting any of the different parts of a statement. Ex.) Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.9
7605812565Periodic SentenceSyntax A sentence that is not grammatically correct until the physical end of the sentence. Ex.) Over the river, through the woods10
7605812566Loose SentenceSyntax A sentence in which it is grammatically correct before it is physically complete.11
7605812567ApothegmaticSyntax A short simple sentence that follows a series of longer more complex sentences.12
7605812568PolysyndetonSyntax Adding coordinators after ever member in a list. Ex.) We went to the beach and sang and laughed and played and had a fun time.13
7605812569AsyndetonSyntax Leaves out conjunctions in a non-standard way. Ex.) He was tall, dark, handsome.14
7605812570AnadiplosisSyntax Takes the last word of a sentence or phrase and repeats it as the next sentence or phrase. Ex.) Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.15
7605812571ChiasmusSyntax A special form of parallelism that flips the original form around. Ex.) You have seen how a man was made a slave, you shall see how a slave was made a man.16
7605812572LitotesSyntax Emphasizes a point by using a word opposite to the condition. Ex.) The trip was no easy journey.17
7605812573ZeugmaSyntax Greek for "yoking"- to link together A structure in which two elements of a sentence are linked by a governing third element in a suggestive way. Ex.) I drank of the wine and her beauty.18
7605812574Romantic IronyIrony When the audience has been mislead by the story teller.19
7605812575Cosmic IronyIrony When a character falsely believes they have free will.20
7605812576Structural IronyIrony When the structure of something does not match its purpose.21
7605812577Situational IronyIrony When something is expected to happen, but something else happens instead.22
7605812578Dramatic IronyIrony The reader knows something the character doesn't.23
7605812579Verbal IronyIrony When words express something contrary to truth.24
7605812580DictionAn author's word choice25
7605812581DenotationDiction The dictionary definition of a word.26
7605812582ConnotationDiction The emotional and cultural attachments of a word.27
7605812583SemanticsDiction The study of words or study of language.28
7605812584ClichéDiction A phrase or expression that had been used so much that it is no longer original. Ex.) Get off your high horse29
7605812585EuphemismDiction Taking an unpleasant idea and making it sound better. Ex.) Friendly Fire30
7605812586SignLiterary Device An object, picture, or word which signifies something other than itself.31
7605812587SymbolLiterary Device An object, place, character, or event that represents something more or something other than itself.32
7605812588ArchetypeLiterary Device A symbol that transcends time and culture.33
7605812589SoliloquyLiterary Device When a character, normally alone on the stage, delivers a speech, which is normally a collection of his own thoughts.34
7605812590AsideLiterary Device Just like a soliloquy, except there are other people on stage. Usually it is just for the audience to hear.35
7605812591ApostropheLiterary Device A rhetorical device in which the writer breaks out of the flow of writing to directly address a person or personified object.36
7605812592AllusionLiterary Device Reference to a famous work.37
7605812593ParadoxLiterary Device An idea that seems false but there is truth to it. Ex.) No fashion is fashion.38
7605812594Figurative ImageryLiterary Device To use objects, patterns, and ideas in such a way that it appeals to our physical senses. Ex.) The tall, menacing dog snarled at the fluffy cat.39
7605812595MotifLiterary Device Repeated element in a work of art.40
7605812596OxymoronLiterary Device Contradictory terms. Ex.) Jumbo shrimp41
7605812597PoetryLiterary expression characterized by particular attention to rhythm, sound, and the concentrated concrete use of language.42
7605812598Narrative PoemPoetry Types Tells a story in verse.43
7605812599BalladPoetry Types Songlike poem that tells a story.44
7605812600EpicPoetry Types The hero of the poem embodies the values and aspirations of the poet's culture.45
7605812601Dramatic PoemPoetry Types Makes use of the conventions of drama.46
7605812602Dramatic MonologuePoetry Types A poem or speech in which an imaginary character speaks to a listener. Ex.) Soliloquy47
7605812603Dramatic DialoguePoetry Types A poem in which two speakers converse with one another.48
7605812604Lyric PoemPoetry Types A melodic poem that expresses the observations and the feelings of a single speaker.49
7605812605The ElegyPoetry Types A reflective poem that laments the loss of someone or something.50
7605812606The OdePoetry Types A long, formal lyric poem, usually meditative, that treats a noble or otherwise elevated subject in a dignified manner. These poems often commemorate people, events, or consider the aspect of the human condition.51
7605812607The SonnetPoetry Types A lyric poem that consists of fourteen lines and that follows one of several traditional rhyme schemes. Love is among one of the most common themes.52
7605812608Metaphysical ConceitPoetry Types A conceit which draws a shocking or unconventional comparison.53
7605812609Carpe DiemPoetry Types A poem that expresses the value of "seize the day"54
7605812610StanzaPoetry Structure A group of lines that work together to present an idea.55
7605812611Concrete PoetryPoetry Structure When the shape of the poem enhances the meaning of the poem.56
7605812612EnjambmentPoetry Structure The physical end of a line of poetry does not match the grammatical end of a line of poetry.57
7605812613End Stopped LinePoetry Structure The physical end of a line of poetry matches the grammatical end of a line of poetry.58
7605812614Poetic ShiftPoetry Structure When a poem moves from one tone or tones to a new tone. You are also usually able to find the meaning.59
7605812615CoupletPoetry Structure 2 lines60
7605812616QuatrainPoetry Structure 4 lines61
7605812617SestetPoetry Structure 6 lines62
7605812618OctavePoetry Structure 8 lines63
7605812619TercetPoetry Structure 3 lines64
7605812620ScantionRhythm When you read through a poem to analyze its rhythm.65
7605812621FootRhythm A pattern of unstressed stressed syllables66
7605812622MeterRhythm The number of feet in a line of poetry.67
7605812623Iambic PentameterRhythm A line of poetry that has five feet and one Iamb.68
7605812624RhymeSound Made when the last vowel sounds and following consonant sounds of a word at the end of a line of poetry match another word that has the same sound.69
7605812625Half-RhymeSound A rhyme in which the vowel or consonants done quite match, but it's obvious that the poet means for them to rhyme.70
7605812626Rhyme SchemeSound The pattern of rhyme in a section or a full poem.71
7605812627ActPlot Structure A major division in a play. Allows us to jump scenes and show time progression. A unified set of actions. Also used to change characters.72
76058126281st Act- ExpositionPlot Structure Introduces characters, setting, and context. Introduction of the conflict takes place.73
76058126292nd Act- "The Tying of Knots"Plot Structure More complications are added.74
76058126303rd Act- ClimaxPlot Structure Where a crucial decision is made.75
76058126314th Act- The ReversalPlot Structure "The untying of knots"76
76058126325th Act- ResolutionPlot Structure However, there is some sort of hope77
7605812633ScenesPlot Structure Moving time, moving place, moving character.78
7605812634SettingThe background against which a story takes place.79
7605812635Collective UnconsciousThe common connection humans unconsciously have through archetypes.80
7605812636CharacterizationThe creation and development of a character.81
7605812637Direct CharacterizationCharacterization The author directly tells the reader about the character.82
7605812638Indirect CharacterizationCharacterization The author shows rather than tells about the character through external descriptions, internal descriptions, and other character's descriptions.83
7605812639Round CharacterCharacterization A complex character.84
7605812640Flat CharacterCharacterization A stereotypical character.85
7605812641Static CharacterCharacterization A character who does not change through the course of the story.86
7605812642Dynamic CharacterCharacterization A character who changes because of the events of the story.87
7605812643ProtagonistCharacterization The main character who is trying to fill some desire.88
7605812644AntagonistCharacterization The character that acts against the desires of the protagonist.89
7605812645FoilCharacterization A character with similar attributes to the main character but one primary difference that highlights an aspect of the main character.90
7605812646Aristotelian TragedyTragedy Tragedy that depicts the downfall of a basically good person through some fatal error or misjudgment, producing suffering and insight on the part of the protagonist and arousing pity and fear on the part of the audience.91
7605812647AnagnorisisTragedy A moment of clairvoyant insight or understanding in the mind of the tragic hero as he suddenly comprehends the web of fate that he has entangled himself in.92
7605812648HamartiaTragedy A fatal error or simple mistake on the part of the protagonist that eventually leads to the final catastrophe.93
7605812649HubrisTragedy The sin par excellence of the tragic or over aspiring hero. Though it is usually translated as pride, it is better understood as a sort of insolent daring, a haughty overstepping of cultural codes or ethical boundaries.94
7605812650NemesisTragedy The inevitable punishment or cosmic payback for acts of hubris.95
7605812651PeripeteiaA pivotal or crucial action on the part of the protagonist that changes his situation from seemingly secure to vulnerable.96
7605812652Hegelian TragedyTragedy A situation in which two rights or values are in fatal conflict.97
7606022212PlotThe pattern that results from the events in a story and the order in which they are presented.98
7606022213ExpostitionPlot Introduction of characters and setting (The status quo)99
7606022214ConflictPlot Most plots involve this, either external or internal as the characters participate in a series of actions.100
7606022215Rising ActionPlot The increase in tension in a story.101
7606022216ClimaxPlot The highest point of tension in a story. This is when the protagonist makes a decision for better or worse.102
7606022217Falling ActionPlot The release of tension in a story.103
7606022218DénouementPlot How the story turns out.104
7606022219Point of ViewThe vantage point from which the author chooses to tell the story.105
76060222201st Person SubjectivePoint of View Told from the point of view of a single character, normally the protagonist.106
76060222212nd Person PerspectivePoint of View Rare form of literature which places the reader into the narrative.107
76060222223rd Person OmniscientPoint of View Story narrated by a god like being who can shift from character to character.108
76060222233rd Person LimitedPoint of View Story is portrayed through the eyes of a single character.109
7606022224Unobtrusive NarratorTypes of Narrator There is no commentary from the Narrator.110
7606022225Unreliable NarratorTypes of Narrator A Narrator who seems trustworthy at first, but the reader starts to question the validity of the story being told.111
7699984626The 5 Branches Of Philosophy• Metaphysics • Epistemology • Ethics • Politics • Aesthetics112
7699984627PhilosophyA love of knowledge.113
7699984628MetaphysicsType of Philosophy Rising above or beyond existence. The study of existence.114
7699984629EpistemologyType of Philosophy A study of how we know about the universe115
7699984630EthicsType of Philosophy How do we act in the world? The study of morality116
7699984631PoliticsType of Philosophy Ethics applied to a group of people117
7699984632AestheticsType of Philosophy The study of beauty118
7699984633ZeitgeistType of Ism The spirit of the times. The general philosophic, cultural, and artistic climate of an era119
7895335289Blank VerseRhythm An Unrhymed iambic pentameter120
7895335290Internal RhymeType of Sound Happens in the middle of a line of poetry.121
8492218442FundamentalistsA literal belief in religious text.122
8492218443Liberal BelieversBelieve that religious texts contain metaphors, might not believe it was a true story123
8492218444Scholars and Non- BelieversBelieve that religious texts are cultural relics, not necessarily true, but something to be studied.124
8492218445Political NihilismAnarchy, a desire to destroy all forms of government125
8492218446Philosophical NihilismThere is no god, no afterlife, there is nothing after death ; Atheism126
8492218447Nietzche- Will To PowerYou are able to exert your own power into the world.127
8492218448The three periods of Civilization Development• Pre-Moral Stage: the master morality • Moral Stage: slave morality • The Supra-Moral Stage: the rise of the Ubermensch128
8492218449UbermenschA figure that throws aside societal morality and decides to alter the world around them under their influence129
84922184504 Major Themes of Existentialism• Moral Individualism • Subjectivity • Choice and Commitment • Dread and Anxiety130
8492218451Moral IndividualismThe individual must decide which situations are to count as moral situations131
8492218452SubjevtivityThe understanding of a situation by someone involved in that situation is superior to that of a detached, objective observer132
8492218453Choice and CommitmentChoice is inescapable, freedom of choice entails commitment and responsibility133
8492218454Dread and AnxietyBecause you have no guide, you should be conscious of the power you hold through the freedom to make choices134
8492218455ExistentialismPhilosophical movement or tendency, emphasizing individual existence, freedom, and choice, that influenced many diverse writers during the 19th and 20th centuries.135
84922184564 Parts of a Dialectical Clash• Dialectical • Thesis • antithesis • synthesis136
8492218457IdeologicalA philosophic belief that there is a purpose to time and the universe137
8492218458PredestinationDerived from Puritanism; What you are going to do or be has already been determined138
8492218459Temporal TimeExisting in the present. The past is gone and the future has not occurred yet.139
8492218460Unconditional ElectionHumans are not able to save themselves. No amount of food deeds will save you.140
8492218461Total DepravityDerived from Calvinism; you are born with original sin141
8492218462Limited AtonementJesus only died on the cross for those who are already saved, not for everybody142
8492218463Irresistible GraceThe grace of god is only given to the saved.143
8492218464Perseverance of the SaintsThose elected by god have full power to interpret the will of god144
8492218465RenaissanceRefers to the rebirth of learning that spread through Italy and the north in the 14th century and ended in mid 17th century145
8492218466The Great Chain of BeingEvery existing thing has its "place" in a hierarchal order.146
8492218467HumanismGave renewed emphasis to life in this world instead of to the otherworldly life in the Middle Ages. A shift from "contemplation life" to "active life"147
8492218468ProtestantismWanted the medieval church to conform within, most important was the rejection of the pope as a spiritual leader.148
8492218469Wheel of FortuneThe goddess Fortunate spins the wheel of fate. Some suffer misfortune, others gain windfalls149
8492218470DualismThe belief that human beings have 2 natures.150
8492218471OnomatopoeiaWhen a word means what it sounds like151
8492218472KenningA noun that takes the place of another noun152
8492218473Poetic DictionA word used to refer to the linguistic style, the vocabulary, and the metaphors used in the writing of poetry.153
8492218474Inverted SyntaxWhen the normal order of words are reversed to produce a certain effect154
8492218475Anachronisman act of attributing a custom, event, or object to a period to which it does not belong.155
8492218476ToneAttitude a writer takes toward the audience, a subject, or a character.156
8492218477Stream of ConsciousnessA literary technique that presents the thoughts and feelings of a character as they occur.157
8492218478Monomyth- The Hero Cycle• I. Departure • II. Initiation • III. Return158
8492218479The Hero CycleA. The call to adventure B. Circumstance of the call C. Threshold D. Beyond threshold E. Return threshold F. Apperance of helper159
84922184803 Major Types of Poetry• Narrative -ballad -epic • Dramatic -dialogue -monologue • lyric -the elegy -the ode -the sonnet160
8492837726AssonanceThe repetition of vowel sounds between dissimilar consonant sounds. Ex.) two turtles burning161
8492837727ConsonanceRepetition of consonant sounds by dissimilar vowel sounds. Ex.) rattle the kettle162

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