Literary Terms English I Honors

Characters: People, animals that take part in story ANTAGONIST- character working against the main character; usually evil, can be force of nature PROTAGONIST- main character of story, hero DYNAMIC- character who changes throughout story STATIC - character who does NOT change throughout story ROUND- character who has many traits; we get to know this character in-depth FLAT- character who is described more simply; one-sided

Characterization There are four ways that an author develops characters: Through their actions Through their speech Through their thoughts Through what others say about them

Conflict Struggle between two opposing forces 6 main types of conflict man vs. man -man vs. nature man vs. self -man vs. society man vs. technology -man vs. supernatural Each type falls into one of two categories: External: conflict between an outside force and the main character Internal: occurs within a character

Theme Main ideas in a work of literature Usually about life or human nature A message, meaning, or moral the author wants you to learn Examples: Loyalty, friendship, overcoming obstacles

Point of View First Person 3rd Person character in story is telling the story I, me, my Reader only knows what the narrator is thinking. 3rd Person Storyteller is NOT one of the characters He, she, they Reader gets to know the thoughts of many characters.

FLASHBACK FORESHADOWING Something that happened before the beginning of a story FORESHADOWING use of clues to hint at events that will occur later in the plot

Irony Situational Irony: A contrast between what is expected to happen and what actually does. Verbal Irony: A contrast between what is said and what is meant. Dramatic Irony: When the reader knows something that other characters do not.

Imagery Imagery: The use of detailed descriptions to paint a picture. Imagery appeals to the five senses. Authors usually use sight imagery, but can be sound, taste, touch, or smell imagery.

Setting Time and Place of the action of the story It is important to the events and outcomes of the story. The setting ranges from large to small. In Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, for example… Large picture = America, mid-size city in the 1950’s Small picture = Charlie’s home and the factory, one week in his life

Tone Attitude a writer takes towards a subject Reflects the feelings of a writer Can be sarcastic, humorous, serious, etc.

Mood The feeling or atmosphere that the author creates for the reader. Do not confuse Mood with Tone. The mood is the feeling you are supposed to get when reading the story.

Simile A comparison of two different things or ideas through the use of the words “like” or “as.” e.g., The warrior fought like a lion.

Metaphor A comparison without the use of like or as. e.g., Life is a box of chocolates.

Personification When an author gives human qualities to nonhuman things. e.g., The wind cried in the dark.

Allusion When an author refers to characters or events from history or other pieces of literature e.g., She was beautiful like Venus, the Goddess of love.

Symbol Person Place Event or Object that stands for something beyond itself E.g., A bird in a cage would symbolize lost freedom.

Allegory When the events, characters, and setting of a story are all symbolic of life.