1. Short Stories Literary Terms

2. People think that the protagonist is the hero but the protagonist can also be the villain. A protagonist is also the main character and goes through most of the conflict throughout the story. The antagonist is the secondary character who makes the protagonist’s goals more difficult and provides the obstacles. In this case, the antagonist is also the hero.

3. Dynamic Characters
A dynamic character develops and grows: Harry Potter: From skinny orphaned child to mature world-saving wizard adult.

4. Static characters
A static character does not change Dumbledore: He is always the wise and eccentric wizard mentor to Harry – used mostly for Harry’s character development and not his own

5. Flat characters Fortunato is a flat character
Think of a flat character as a paper doll – only one trait is shown
Fortunato is a flat character

6. Round characters
Round characters have many traits and we see both their virtues and their faults. Batman is a round character.

7. Direct Characterization
The writer directly states the character’s traits: “Dear me,” said the general, quite unruffled, “again that unpleasant word.” The writer tells us directly that Zaroff is “unruffled” – which means not bothered.

8. Indirect characterization
In indirect characterization, an author tells what a character looks like, does and says, as well as how other characters react to him or her: "I'm utterly miserable at not having any jewels, not a single stone, to wear," she replied. "I shall look like absolutely no one. I would almost rather not go to the party."

9. Conflict - external
Struggle with an opposing force: another character, standards or expectations of a group, society, nature

10. Conflict - internal
Character experiences a struggle within himself or herself

11. dialogue
Conversation – Used to reveal character and advance plot Bella: I miss you. Edward: I know, Bella. Believe me, I know. It's like you've taken half my self away with you. Bella: Come and get it, then. Edward: Soon, as soon as I possibly can. I will make you safe first. Bella:I love you. Edward: Could you believe that, despite everything I've put you through, I love you, too? Bella: Yes, I can, actually. Edward: I'll come for you soon. Bella: I'll be waiting.

12. Figurative language
Writing or speech not meant to be taken literally – includes similes, metaphors and personification “ …the sea licked greedy lips in the shadows.”

13. irony
General term used for literary techniques that portray the differences between appearance and reality or expectation and result. In “The Rules of the Game,” it’s ironic that the thing that makes Mrs. Jong respect Meimei, chess, is what eventually leads to Meimei disrespecting and embarrassing her mother.

14. Motivation
The reason that explains or partially explains why a character thinks, feels, acts or behaves in a certain way The narrator in “The Bass, The River, and Sheila Mant” is motivated by his romantic interest in Sheila. This guides his every move.

15. Narrator
A narrator is a speaker or character who tells the story. In “The Scarlet Ibis,” the narrator is telling the story as an adult looking back at his life.

16. parable
A parable is a succinct story, which illustrates one or more instructive principles, or lessons. It differs from a fable in that fables use animals, plants, inanimate objects, and forces of nature as characters, while parables generally feature human characters. “The Interlopers” is a sort of parable about forgiveness.

17. Point of view – first person
A character who tells the story and may be a major character, minor character, or a witness. Readers see only what this characters sees and hear only what he or she hears, and so on. The first person narrator may or MAY NOT be reliable. For example, the narrator of “The Cask of Amontillado” is certainly only telling us one side of the story.

18. Point of view – third person
An omniscient or all knowing narrator can tell readers what any character thinks or feels. For example, in “The Necklace,” we know the feelings of both Monsieur and Madame Loisel.

19. Sensory imagery
Writing that appeals to any of the five senses: touch, taste, sound, sight, smell For example, we know the taste of the “wine-water” in “Here There Be Tygers” and the sounds in the jungle in “The Most Dangerous Game.”

20. setting
Time and place of the action – can include historical period, past, present or future, season, time of day, etc. In some stories, it serves merely as a backdrop for the action. However, in some stories setting is crucial. “The Most Dangerous Game” has a very important setting.

21. style
Style is the way in which something is written, as opposed to the meaning of what is written. Style influences the reader’s impression of the information itself. Style includes diction (word choice) and tone. Edgar Allan Poe has a distinctive style that includes a suspenseful and dark mood, formal wording, and use of foreign words and phrases.

22. suspense
Suspense is the feeling of uncertainty about the outcome of events in a literary work. Writers create suspense by raising questions in the minds of their readers. Richard Connell tries to build suspense as Zaroff chases Rainsford through the forest.

23. Symbol (symbolism)
A symbol is anything that stands for or represents something else. An object that serves as a symbol has its own meaning BUT IT ALSO represents abstract ideas. In “The Scarlet Ibis,” the coffin represents the father’s loss of faith in Doodle and the go-cart represents his renewed optimism.

24. theme
A central message or insight into life revealed through a literary work The theme of “Most Dangerous Game” could be to not underestimate your opponent. The theme of “Here There Be Tygers” could be to be careful how you treat all living things. The theme of “Gift of the Magi” could be that the thought and intentions behind a gift are more important than the gift itself.

25. tone
The tone of a literary work is the writer’s attitude toward his or her audience and the subject. In “The Scarlet Ibis,” the narrator has a nostalgic tone. In “The Gift of the Magi,” O. Henry talks about Jim and Della with a sympathetic tone.