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AP Literature Terms 2 Flashcards

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6758137515AntagonistA person who actively opposes or is hostile to someone or something : an adversary The main villian or character that opposes the protagonist Ex: the Grinch (How the Grinch Stole Christmas) Ex: Voldemort/ He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named (Harry Potter)0
6758137516ArchetypeA recurrent symbol or motif in literature, art, or mythology A character, a tion, or situation that seems to represent such universal patterns of human nature Ex: the Hero generally is an archetype that symbolizes everything good, the light, the right, etc. (Hercules) Ex: the Motherly Figure generally symbolizes the emotional "nourishment" and tranquility/ safety (Fairy Godmother in Cinderella)1
6758137517BalladA poem or song narrating a story in short stanzas Ex: All the World's a Stage (Shakespeare) Ex: Evangeline: A Tale of Acadie (William Wadsworth Longfellow)2
6758137518Blank VerseAn un-rhyming verse written in iambic pentameter. In poetry and prose, it has a consistent meter with 10 syllables in each line (pentameter); where, unstressed syllables are followed by stressed ones and five of which are stressed but do not rhyme. Ex: Something there is that doesn't love a wall. That sends the frozen-ground-swell under it, And spills the upper boulders in the sun (Mending Walls-Robert Frost) Ex:But, woe is me, you are so sick of late, So far from cheer and from your former state, That I distrust you. Yet, though I distrust, Discomfort you, my lord, it nothing must (Hamlet- William Shakespeare3
6758137519CaricatureUsed in descriptive writing and visual arts where particular aspects of a subject are exaggerated to create a silly or comic effect -plastic illustration, derisive drawing or a portrayal based on exaggeration of the natural features, which gives a humorous touch to the subject Ex: Mr. Chadband is a large yellow man, with a fat smile, and a general appearance of having a good deal of train oil in his system. (In other words, he is obese.) Ex: Her eyes were lasers, boring a hole through me. Her ears were smoking, and her hair was on fire. Mom was mad4
6758137520Clichean expression that has been overused to the extent that it loses its original meaning or novel -can be used as evidence a well known saying, as if it is proven, or as if it has no exceptions. Ex: lasted an eternity - to last for a very long time Ex: at the speed of light - to do something very quickly5
6758137521Colloquial/ ColloquialismOrdinary or familiar type of conversation -common or familiar type of saying Ex: wanna - want to Ex: y'all - you all6
6758137522Conceitkind of metaphor that compares two very unlike things in a surprising and clever way -generally is an extended metaphor Ex:Fit as a fiddle Ex: Spill the beans7
6758137523Direct Characterizationdirect approach towards building the character -another character, narrator or the protagonist himself to tell the audience about the subject. Ex: Jared is a kind, inspiring actor. Ex: Jane may have been short and innocent looking.8
6758137524Indirect Characterization(STEAL) audience has to deduce for themselves the characteristics of the character by observing his/her thought process, behavior, speech, way of talking, appearance, and way of communication with other characters and also by discerning the response of other characters. Ex: "Bill sighed as he looked at the offer of a gym membership. He really should join. But just thinking about it made beads of sweat collect at the top of his bald spot." Ex: "I yawned, trying to keep my eyes open in the meeting. I reached for my coffee cup and was disappointed to realize it was empty."9
6758137525ClauseA grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb. -an independent clause expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence -a dependent clause (subordinate clause) cannot stand alone as a sentence and must be accompanied by an independent clause Ex: Other than baseball (dependent) Ex: Football is my favorite sport (independent)10

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