The Modern Novel Vocabulary

Dialogue Conversation between two or more characters (or the voices in your head )

Plot and Sub Plot Plot: the events that make up a story, particularly as they relate to one another in a pattern, in a sequence, through cause and effect, how the reader views the story, or simply by coincidence Subplot a subplot is a secondary strand of the plot that is a supporting side story for any story or the main plot. Subplots may connect to main plots, in either time and place or in thematic significance. Subplots often involve supporting characters, those besides the protagonist or antagonist.

Characters Major CharactersMajor Characters –The most important characters in the story –There is usually one MAIN character, but there can be more than one MAJOR character –Usually undergo some major change in the novel Minor CharactersMinor Characters –Intended to support major characters –Necessary for the story to develop –May not grow or change throughout the course of the story

Antagonist vs. Protaganist Antagonist:Antagonist: –The “bad guy” –A person or a group of people who oppose the main character(s) –A major threat or obstacle to the main character by their very existence Protagonist:Protagonist: –The main character –Ends up in conflict because of the antagonist –The character that the author intends the audience to identify with

Characterization The method by which the writer reveals the characters of the story

Characterization Direct characterization – when an author tells you directly about the character’s personality;Direct characterization – when an author tells you directly about the character’s personality; –“Dena was a kind, caring individual.” –“Dena was a kind, caring individual.” Indirect characterization – when an author reveals a character’s personality through his or her actions or dialogue;Indirect characterization – when an author reveals a character’s personality through his or her actions or dialogue; –“Dena felt so sad when she saw the hurt little chipmunk that she began to cry.”

4 Domains of Characterization The four domains of characterization are: –Words, thoughts and actions of the character. –Description (appearance and background) –What other characters say about the character –The way others characters react to the character

Conflict Opposition between characters or forces in a work of drama or fiction, especially opposition that motivates or shapes the action of the plot

TYPES OF CONFLICT: External Man vs. nature Man vs. man Man vs. society Internal Man vs. self

Setting The time, place, and circumstances in which a narrative takes place

Theme The unifying message portrayed in a text (NOT what the short story is about)

Denotation vs. Connotation Denotation The literal meaning or "dictionary definition" of a term, devoid of emotion, attitude, and color Connotation The commonly understood cultural or emotional association that some word or phrase carries. A connotation is frequently described as either positive or negative, with regards to its emotional connection

EXAMPLES drug addict... druggie, drug fiend, substance abuser handicapped... crippled, disabled, differently –abled house home, abode, domicile, residence thin thin, slender, slim, skinny, lean, beanpole attractive... pretty, beautiful, handsome, fair unattractive... plain, dull, ugly

Moral Dilemma a situation requiring a choice between equally undesirable alternatives You are stranded with thirty people on a lifeboat that is intended to hold only seven. No one can paddle this heavy boat and it is definitely going to sink, drowning everyone inside it. It occurs to you that you can save some of the people in the lifeboat by throwing all but the strongest rowers overboard. Do you think it would be morally acceptable to save some people by throwing others overboard, especially seeing that, otherwise, everyone, including those thrown overboard, would have drowned anyway?

Allusion Statement that refers to something without mentioning it directly.

Inference a conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning Crack! Thunder struck and rain poured. Max stared blankly out the window, trying to contain his emotions that raged like the weather. He was beginning to lose it. Dropping the kite from his hand, Max broke out into full sob. His mother comforted him, “There, there, Max. We’ll just find something else to do.” She began to unpack the picnic basket that was on the counter and offered him a sandwich. Max snapped, “I don’t wanna sand-mich!” A flash from the sky lit up the living room. Boom! Mom sighed. Why is Max upset?

Symbolism The use of symbols to express or represent ideas in literature. The pool by the river is the place where Lennie and George’s story begins. It is a safe place to meet and a place free from society, where Lennie and George can be themselves.

Point of View The perspective from which the story is told The way the author allows a reader to see and hear what is going on in the story. The narrator speaks in First, Second, or Third- Person.

First-person Point of View A character in the story is the narrator. This character is telling the story. The narrator uses the pronouns I, me and we. In first- person point of view, readers learn about events as the narrator learns about them. Third-person Point of View The story is being told by an outside observer (someone who is not in the story). The author uses the pronouns he, she, and they.

Author’s purpose identifying the author's purpose helps you comprehend while you read. Narrative writing: tells a story. Creative narrative writing has a plot, setting, and characters who have motives for what they do. Good narrative writing also has tension – a problem to be solved or a challenge to overcome. There is a point to the story.

Historical Significance Historical fiction presents a story that takes place during a notable period in history, and often during a significant event in that period. Historical fiction often presents events from the point of view of fictional characters of that time period. To understand historical fiction you must understand the time period in which the events take place, and why the events of that time period are significant to history.

The Great Depression Money DIDN’T grow on trees

The data showed the real unemployment rate (including those that have given up looking for work) held steady at 17%

Unemployment Lines

There was no unemployment check No job, meant NO MONEY!

Homeless

Food Lines

People waited in line for hours Programs often ran out of food before everyone could be fed

Clothing

Clothing would be made out of anything! Clothing was plain-ornate designs showed money Shoes would be patched In some families children would alternate who attended school based on whose turn it was to wear the shoes

DUST BOWL

Other Knowledge