Literary Terms
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Theme - The central idea or universal truth that the story examines;
the story's overall meaning
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Plot - A series of actions; the plan or groundwork of the story
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Conflict - the opposition between forces in a story
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Protagonist - the central character
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Antagonist - whatever opposing force the protagonist struggles with, such
as another character, environment, or something within the protagonist
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Crisis is the moment of highest tension in a story, just before the
turning point, when a decision has to be made that will determine the story’s
outcome.
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Climax is the turning point, the action or
decision that determines the outcome.
Sometimes the crisis and climax appear to be the same moment.
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Exposition - The work’s introduction in which background information is
given for the plot development
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Complication - The point at which major conflicts or problems are
presented; the rising action of a drama
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Dénouement or Resolution - The final stage or unraveling of the plot;
usually very brief. Here the tension is over, and unanswered questions may be
explained.
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Character - A reasonable facsimile of a human being; the inner self that
determines thought, speech, behavior. Characters may be called round if
they display depth and are described in detail and flat if they appear
limited and one-dimensional. A question to ask about characters is whether
they change or show capacity to change in the course of a story. Developing
characters are called dynamic and those who don't change are static.
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Foil - usually a minor character who highlights the major character. The
foil may present contrasting characteristics or behavior. Examples are
Laertes in Hamlet, Christine in A Doll House, the sisters in
Everyday Use.
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Setting - The environment of the story, including objects
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Irony -
·Verbal irony occurs when we use words with meanings different from or
opposite from their literal definitions. This may also involve
understatement, language
which minimizes a situation or overstatement, language
which exaggerates a situation.
·Situational irony: an outcome which is opposite of what is expected
·Dramatic irony: a situation in a literary work when the reader understands more
than the characters; the characters are in a state of ignorance
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Symbol: a story element that means what it is literally but
represents something more. A literary symbol can be an object, a place, a
character, an action, or a situation. Examples are the chrysanthemums in "The
Chrysanthemums," the setting in "Hills Like White Elephants," Dee's name
change in "Everyday Use." Some symbols may have expansive meanings, such as
the quilts in "Everyday Use." In exploring a symbol's meaning, look for
support in the entire context of the story.