Useful literary Terms & Definitions - 2

Irony  Situational Irony: When there is a contrast between what a reader or character expects and what actually exists or happens.

Situational Irony

Situational Irony Example  When John Hinckley attempted to assassinate President Ronald Reagan, all of his shots initially missed the President; however a bullet ricocheted off the bullet-proof windows of the Presidential limousine and struck Reagan in the chest. Thus, the windows made to protect the President from gunfire were partially responsible for his being shot. John Hinckley assassinateRonald ReaganJohn Hinckley assassinateRonald Reagan

Irony  Verbal Irony: Saying one thing, but meaning something else... knowingly exaggerating. (sarcasm)

Verbal Irony Example “It looks like you put a lot of thought into your outfit. Thanks for dressing up.”

Verbal Irony Example “Thanks so much!” said the man to the driver of the car.

Irony  Dramatic Irony: The audience or reader knows something another character does not know.

Dramatic Irony Example Although we, the audience, know Bob is in danger of being shot by Steve, poor Bob does not know Steve is around the corner. BOB STEVE

Dramatic Irony Example  In Titanic, we know that the ocean liner is going to hit an iceberg and sink but the passengers and crew cannot know this. Although we know this from historical fact, it is not made explicit to the audience in the story itself. Titanic

Setting  Setting: Where and when the story takes place.  Place - geographical location. Where is the action of the story taking place?  Time - When is the story taking place? (historical period, time of day, year, etc)  Weather conditions - Is it rainy, sunny, stormy, etc?

Unreliable Narrator  a narrator who is difficult to trust or believe  usually a narrator who is discovered to lie, is delusional, or is mentally ill.  He provides the reader with inaccurate or incomplete information  "It is impossible to say how first the idea entered my brain; but once conceived, it haunted me day and night... I think it was his eye! yes, it was this! One of his eyes resembled that of a vulture--a pale blue eye, with a film over it. Whenever it fell upon me, my blood ran cold; and so by degrees--very gradually--I made up my mind to take the life of the old man, and thus rid myself of the eye for ever."  -Edgar Allan Poe, "The Tell-Tale Heart"

Describe the Setting

Historical Context  the way in which a work of literature is related to the themes and issues of its historical period  Examples:  a story written in the 1880’s will reflect fewer women’s rights  a story set in the early to mid 1800’s may exhibit the horrors of slavery

Imagery  Mental pictures or images created by the author for the reader to show rather than tell the events of the story  Figurative language is often used  Imagery relies on the five senses:  Smell  Taste  Touch  Hear  See

Imagery: SIGHT  The cars crept along like marching ants  Green willows  Wilted roses  The sky looked like the untouched canvas of an artist.  Silver hue of night  Eyes the color of Heaven

Imagery: SMELL  Sweaty clothes  Pungent skin  Dusty odor of dry earth  Aroma of baking apple bread  Rotting leaves  Salty beach air

Imagery: TASTE  Ice-cold strawberries  Tall, frosted glass of lemonade  Pink sweetness of watermelon  Salty chips  The taste of that first defeat was bitter indeed.  Juicy and tart gum

Imagery: TOUCH  Hot, July sun  Soft sand  Sharp briars pulling my hair  Face hot from embarrassment  The lake was left shivering by the touch of morning wind.

Imagery: SOUND  Crackling branches  The eerie silence was shattered by her scream.  Strum of the guitar  He could hear the footsteps of doom nearing.  Ear-piercing sirens

Foreshadowing  The use of hints or clues to indicate events and situations that will occur later in the plot.  Spooky music  Thunder and lightening  A new suspicious character introduced (purpose unknown at the time)

Foreshadowing Example  The general smiled the quiet smile of one who has faced an obstacle and surmounted it with success. “I had to invent a new animal to hunt.”  From “The Most Dangerous Game”

Suspense  The excitement or tension a reader feels when reading.  I wonder what will happen next?

Suspense Example  Rainsford expressed his surprise. “Is there big game on this island?”  The general nodded. “The biggest.”  “Oh, it isn’t here naturally, of course. I have to stock the island.”  From “The Most Dangerous Game”

Mood  Mood is the emotions that you feel while you are reading. Some literature makes you feel sad, others joyful, still others, angry.  The general atmosphere created by the author’s words and imagery.  Types of mood: scary, romantic, violent, hopeful, mysterious, joyful...

Describe the MOOD

Tone  Tone - the manner in which written words might be said. For example: sarcastic, hateful, witty, angry  Tone is different from mood in that a story typically has one mood; whereas, tone can change a lot throughout a story.

Words That Describe Tone  Amused  Humorous  Pessimistic  Angry  Informal  Playful  Cheerful  Ironic  Witty  Horrifying  Light  Sad  Matter-of-fact  Serious  Formal  Suspicious  Gloomy  Optimistic

Examples of Tone  Sincere: She rose from her chair when I came in and exclaimed with a smile: "Wow! Nice outfit!"  Sarcastic: She gave me one look and said, with a short laugh, "Yeah, right! Nice outfit!"

Examples of Tone  Envious: She glanced at me quickly and muttered reluctantly, "Um, yeah... nice outfit."  Insulting: She looked at me incredulously and said, "Eww! Nice outfit!"

Genres of Literature Different types of writing Different types of writing Each genre shapes a theme or topic differently. Genres include… Each genre shapes a theme or topic differently. Genres include… Classic literature Classic literature Contemporary lit. Contemporary lit. Historical fiction Historical fiction Fantasy Fantasy Science fiction Science fiction Folklore Folklore Mythology Poetry Short stories Dramas Comedy

Theme  An observation about life that the writer conveys to the reader. A theme must be written in a complete sentence and must apply to the story as well as to life in general.  A good way to find the theme is to ask yourself the question, what does the main character learn in the course of the story?

Theme  Sometimes we must sacrifice something we value in order to save someone we love.  Money does not guarantee happiness.  Love is the worthiest of pursuits.

Symbol  A person, place, thing, or event that stands for itself and for something beyond itself as well.  Examples: the American flag symbolizes freedom, liberty, and love for America.  A wedding band symbolizes_______.  A white flag symbolizes__________.

Symbols in Literature  Dove =  Peace  Eagle =  freedom, liberty, strength  Spring =  youth, re-birth, birth, life  Autumn =  middle age, maturity  Winter =  death, dying, old age  Water =  birth, re-birth, renewal, purification

Symbols in Literature  Rose =  love, beauty  Sunrise =  new start, beginning  Full moon =  danger, bizarre behavior  Sleep =  death  Skull =  death  Forest =  place of testing or challenge  Light =  good, hope, freedom

Symbols in Literature  Darkness =  evil, magic, fear, unknown  Red =  anger, passion  Blue = happiness, peacefulness, sadness, intellect  Green =  jealousy, wealth, growth  Black =  death, evil, sin, holiness  White =  purity, innocence