American Literature Final Review June 2014

Motif Motifs are ideas, structures, contrasts, and literary devices that are repeated throughout a text Motifs help develop the text’s major themes Example: In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee adds drama to her story by using “gothic details”such as the unnatural snowfall, the fire, the rabid dog, and the superstitions surrounding Boo Radley. Example: In A Raisin in the Sun, “the home” is a motif. Why is this? How does this add to the theme?

Connotative Language When an author uses specific words to convey a certain attitude to the reader Example: An author is trying to describe a character’s stature in a negative way. Which of the following adjectives might the author use? Underweight Skinny slender

Parallelism A balance within one or more sentences of similar phrases or clauses that have the same grammatical structure. Using parallelism improves writing style and readability. Sometimes called “parallel structure” Make these sentences parallel: Hudson likes eating, sleeping, and to play. Ms. D. likes students with integrity and who have character.

Characterization Direct Indirect

Indirect or Direct? A. Ed Johnson scratched his head in confusion as the sales rep explained Dralco’s newest engine performance diagnostic computer. The old mechanic hated modern electronics, preferring the old days when all he needed was a stack of manuals and a good set of tools. B. “That Ed Johnson,” said Anderson, watching the old mechanic scratch his head in confusion as the sales rep explained Dralco’s newest engine performance diagnostic computer. “He hasn’t got a clue about modern electronics. Give him a good set of tools and a stack of yellowing manuals with a carburetor needing repair, and he’d be happy as a hungry frog in a fly-field.” A. Julie owned a multitude of outfits and accessories, and it always took her forever to decide which combination might impress Trent. As usual, she called her sister several times for advice. After doing so, Julie decided to give the navy blue skirt with the white sweater a try. B. Julie held up six different outfits in front of the mirror and pondered which would go best with her navy blue shoes, pastel eye shadow and the diamond earrings she’d already procured from her overflowing vanity. After ninety minutes of mixing and matching, and cell-phoning her sister three times for advice, Julie finally made up her mind. She’d give the navy blue skirt and white sweater a try, hoping Trent would love it.

In both instances, Paragraph A illustrates an example of direct characterization (telling) while Paragraph B provides an example of indirect characterization (showing). While one might quibble with the quality of each paragraph (or Julie’s fashion sense), the direct characterization examples are shorter, leaving less imagination to the reader, while still getting the same basic information across. Which is most appropriate depends on the needs and concerns of the writer.

Allegory a story in which the characters and events are symbols that stand for ideas about human life or for a political or historical situation Examples: Animal Farm The Wizard of Oz (maybe?)

Rhetorical Question A rhetorical question is asked just for effect or to lay emphasis on some point discussed no real answer is expected

Mood The way the author wants you to feel when you read

Point of View The narrator is a character in his/her own story. Pronouns used Explanation Examples 1st person I, me, mine We, ours The narrator is a character in his/her own story. 2nd person You, yours The narrator is addressing the audience directly (speeches, advice, directions on how to do something…) 3rd person limited He, him, she, her, it, its They, them, their, theirs The narrator is not a character in the story, but observes what is happening, usually through the eyes of one character. 3rd person omniscient The narrator is not a character in the story, but observes what is happening and knows the thoughts and feelings of all the characters.