AP Literature Unit 17 Vocabulary Flashcards

2268916678	alter ego	literary character or narrator who is a thinly disguised representation of the author, poet, or playwright (Ex. Prufrock alter ego for T. S. Eliot in "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock.")	0
2268919216	ambiguity	any wording, action, or symbol in literature that can be read in divergent ways to open up multiple possible meanings (Ex. Calpurnia's dream in Julius Caesar that has two interpretations)	1
2268931211	Christological figure	an object, person, or figure that represents Christ allegorically or symbolically or any similar entity with qualities generally reminiscent of Christ (Ex. Santiago in Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea bleeding and lying on floor)	2
2268938385	deconstruction	literary theory that rejects absolute interpretations, stressing ambiguities and contradictions in literature; asserts that all literature is ultimately incapable of offering meaning because language has opposing ideas within itself (Ex. Huck Finn)	3
2268955668	private symbol	in contrast with an archetype (universal symbol), a private symbol is one that an individual artist arbitrarily assigns a personal meaning to (Ex. Burning hand of slave boy in Julius Caesar)	4
2268967027	folklore	sayings, verbal compositions, stories, and social rituals passed along by word of mouth rather than written down in a text (Ex. superstitions, "urban legends," proverbs, riddles, nursery rhymes, songs, jokes, anecdotes, birth/death/marriage rituals, and yearly celebrations)	5
2268975156	Shakespearean fool	usually a clever peasant or commoner who uses his wits to outdo people of higher social standing; similar to a Medieval court jester; as long as he spoke in rhyme or riddle, he had the freedom to criticize individuals and mock political policy (Ex. Citizen in Act I of Julius Caesar)	6
2268988922	high comedy	elegant comedy characterized by witty banter, sophisticated dialogue, satire, biting humor, and criticism of life; appeals to the intellect (Ex. As You Like It, Rape of the Lock)	7
2268989123	low comedy	consists of silly, slapstick physicality, crude pratfalls, violence, scatology, bodily humor, drunkenness, fighting, buffoonery and other riotous activity (Ex. Canterbury Tales)	8
2269019498	metaphysical poet	uses abstract and highly complex style characterized by wildly original, shocking, and strange images/puns/metaphors; dramatic events; inconsistent verses (as opposed to symmetrical meter); and arguments with wild logic and unusual comparisons (Ex. John Donne, Andrew Marvell, George Herbert)	9