Elements of Fiction Review & Literary Lenses

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What term describes the use of exaggerated statements not meant to be taken literally?

Symbolism

Hyperbole (correct)

Meiosis

Oxymoron

Which type of characterization involves the author explicitly describing a character?

Symbolic Characterization

Indirect Characterization

Direct Characterization (correct)

Imagined Characterization

Which type of humor uses irony or ridicule to criticize a subject?

Satire (correct)

Dark Humor

Comedy of Errors

Parody

What is the internal conflict a character experiences when struggling with guilt called?

Man vs. Self Signup and view all the answers

Which literary lens focuses on gender dynamics and women's roles?

Feminist (Gender) Lens Signup and view all the answers

What literary device uses contradictory terms appearing together?

Oxymoron Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of comic irony?

A fire station burns down. Signup and view all the answers

Which term refers to a character's emotional atmosphere in a literary work?

Mood Signup and view all the answers

What central theme is explored in Emily Dickinson's poem 'Because I Could Not Stop for Death'?

The inevitability of death Signup and view all the answers

What theme does John Donne's poem 'Death Be Not Proud' convey?

The promise of eternal life Signup and view all the answers

Which poet is known for the theme of the interconnectedness of life in their work?

Walt Whitman Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary topic addressed by Gwendolyn Brooks in 'We Real Cool'?

Youth and rebellion Signup and view all the answers

What overarching theme can be found in Robert Frost's poem 'The Road Not Taken'?

The significance of choices Signup and view all the answers

What theme is primarily portrayed in Pablo Neruda's work 'Your Laughter'?

The transformative power of love Signup and view all the answers

In 'Fire & Ice,' what duality does Robert Frost reflect upon?

Desire and hatred Signup and view all the answers

What is a theme found in Edna St. Vincent Millay's poem 'What Lips My Lips Have Kissed and Where and Why'?

The transient nature of love Signup and view all the answers

Which theme is explored by various poets in 'Speaking in Tongues'?

The complexity of communication Signup and view all the answers

What theme does Shakespeare's 'Sonnet 18' primarily address?

The enduring nature of love Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes a character's struggle against predetermined fate?

Man vs. Fate Signup and view all the answers

What does 'hamartia' refer to in the context of tragedy?

A tragic flaw leading to a hero's downfall Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of personification?

The wind whispered through the trees. Signup and view all the answers

What is the rhyme scheme of a Shakespearean sonnet?

ABABCDCDEFEFGG Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following defines 'catharsis' in a tragedy?

Emotional relief for the audience Signup and view all the answers

Which is an example of metaphor?

Life is a journey. Signup and view all the answers

Which literary device refers to the emotional feeling evoked in the reader?

Mood Signup and view all the answers

What does 'enjambment' describe in poetry?

The continuation of a sentence without a pause Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of 'symbolism' in literature?

The representation of ideas through symbols Signup and view all the answers

What type of conflict does a character face when questioning their faith?

Man vs. God Signup and view all the answers

Which term best describes a recurring element that symbolizes a larger idea in a story?

Motif Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of analyzing 'tone' in poetry?

To determine the author's attitude toward the subject Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the difference between implicit and explicit information?

Explicit is stated clearly, while implicit is suggested. Signup and view all the answers

What is a defining characteristic of an Italian sonnet compared to an English sonnet?

It follows an ABBAABBACDCDCD rhyme scheme. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Part 1: Elements of Fiction Review & Literary Lenses

Literary Devices:
Symbolism: Uses symbols to represent ideas or qualities (e.g., a dove symbolizes peace).
Hyperbole: Exaggerated statements not meant literally (e.g., "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse").
Meiosis: Understatement to diminish or dismiss something (e.g., calling a huge storm "a bit of rain").
Contradiction: Statement opposing itself (e.g., "I can resist anything but temptation").
Oxymoron: Contradictory terms together (e.g., "deafening silence").
Tone: Author's attitude toward the subject (e.g., sarcastic, serious, playful).
Mood: Emotional atmosphere of a piece (e.g., cheerful, somber, tense).
Types of Humor:
Satire: Uses humor to criticize or mock (e.g., "The Daily Show").
Comic Irony: Opposite of expected occurs, creating humor (e.g., a fire station burning down).
Types of Characterization:
Direct Characterization: Author explicitly describes a character (e.g., "She was a kind and gentle woman").
Indirect Characterization: Author shows character's personality through actions, thoughts, and dialogue (e.g., "He clenched his fists and glared at the ground").
Identifying Lenses:
Psychoanalytical Lens: Analyzes motivations and behaviors based on Freud's theories (id, ego, superego).
Feminist (Gender) Lens: Examines literature through gender dynamics and women's roles.
Marxist Lens: Analyzes class struggles and economic power dynamics.
Historical Lens: Considers historical context of the work.
Identifying Conflict Types:
Internal Conflict: Conflict within a character (e.g., a character struggling with guilt).
External Conflict: Conflict between a character and an outside force (e.g., a character fighting societal norms).
Man vs. Man: Conflict between two characters.
Man vs. Self: Internal struggle.
Man vs. God: Conflict with a divine entity.
Man vs. Fate: Struggle against destiny.
Man vs. Nature: Conflict with natural forces.
Making Inferences:
Implicit: Suggested but not directly stated (e.g., sadness inferred from actions).
Explicit: Clearly stated (e.g., "She was sad").

Part 2: Antigone

Analyze key quotes from the play.
Identify literary devices (tone, symbolism) in excerpts.
Apply Freud's theories and other lenses to characters and themes.
Identify various conflicts present in the play.
Draw conclusions using implicit and explicit information.

Aristotle's Definition of Tragedy

Hamartia: Tragic flaw leading to a hero's downfall.
Peripeteia: Reversal of fortune.
Hubris: Excessive pride leading to downfall.
Anagnorisis: Moment of critical discovery.
Catharsis: Emotional release for the audience.
Nemesis: Retribution or punishment.

Part 3: Poetry

Identifying Types of Poems: Familiarize yourself with different poem forms and authors.
Poetic Devices: Understand metaphor, simile, imagery, and their purposes.
Tone, Mood, Themes: Analyze how tone and mood contribute to theme.
Rhyme Scheme and Meter: Identify poem structure.
Device to Meaning Paragraph: Connect poetic devices to poem meaning.
Theme Statement: Develop a theme statement with author, title, claim, reasoning, and evidence.

Poetry Exam Study Guide - Section 1:

Motif: Recurring element with symbolic significance (e.g., light and darkness in "Romeo and Juliet").
Theme: Central idea or message (e.g., friendship in "The Great Gatsby").
Tone: Author's attitude (e.g., reflective in "The Road Not Taken").
Mood: Emotional feeling evoked in the reader (e.g., eerie in "The Raven").
Stanza: Grouped lines separated by a space.
Rhyme Scheme: Pattern of rhymes (e.g., ABAB in Shakespearean sonnets).
Enjambment: Continuation of a sentence beyond a line break.
Diction: Word choice and style.
Connotation: Implied meaning of a word.
Denotation: Literal meaning of a word.
Imagery: Descriptive language appealing to the senses.
Simile: Comparison using "like" or "as".
Metaphor: Direct comparison.
Personification: Giving human traits to non-human things.
Apostrophe: Addressing an absent person or object.
Symbolism: Use of symbols to represent ideas.
Hyperbole: Exaggeration.
Alliteration: Repetition of consonant sounds.
Assonance: Repetition of vowel sounds.
Consonance: Repetition of consonant sounds within or at the end of words.

Poetry Exam Study Guide - Section 2:

English vs. Italian Sonnets:
Similarities: Both 14 lines, often explore love and nature.
Differences: English (ABAB CDCD EFEF GG) vs. Italian (ABBAABBA CDCDCD).
Additional Notes (from the text):
Mrs. Behrend's Definition of Poetry: Poetry is expressing emotions and ideas rhythmically and metaphorically.
Petrarch: Italian poet (14th century), known for sonnets about love for Laura.
Shakespeare: English playwright and poet.

Detailed information about various specific poems, authors, historical periods, themes, and notable aspects of the works. These include "Because I Could Not Stop for Death", "Death Be Not Proud", "I Sit and Look", "Your Laughter", "Speaking in Tongues", "The Road Not Taken", "Fire & Ice", "We Real Cool", "An Ode We Owe", "Sonnet 18", "What Lips My Lips Have Kissed", and "Sonnet CIV", each with author, background, topics, and explored themes.

TPCASTT Method

A method to analyze poetry - title, paraphrase, connotation, attitude, shift, title, theme.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Test your understanding of key literary devices, types of humor, and characterization techniques in this comprehensive quiz. From symbolism to satire, explore how these elements contribute to storytelling. Perfect for literature students looking to deepen their analysis skills.