Introduction to Literature Flashcards

Literary Terms and Concepts

• Genre: A category of literature that includes fiction, drama, and poetry, with subgenres such as novels, farces, and lyric poems.
• Theme: The central or dominant idea within a literary work, articulated through its details and emphasis.
• Conventional Theme: Recurring themes throughout literature, such as the loss of innocence.
• Literary Canon: A collection of significant literary works recognized by critics and teachers, with ongoing efforts to diversify it by including works from women and writers of color.

Plot Structure

• Plot: The arrangement of events in a story, featuring primary plots and subplots; typically follows a rising action, climax, and resolution.
• Exposition: The initial stage of a plot that introduces characters and setting, essential for understanding the story.
• Crisis: The peak of action in a story, leading towards the climax.
• Climax: The moment of highest tension or importance in a narrative where crucial action occurs.
• Resolution/Denouement: The final stage of the plot where the story concludes and loose ends are resolved.

Literary Devices

• Deus Ex Machina: An improbable plot resolution involving an external force or agent.
• In Medias Res: A narrative technique that starts the story in the midst of action to capture interest.
• Flashback: A storytelling method that revisits events from the past interrupting the current narrative timeline.
• Foreshadowing: Early presentation of elements that appear insignificant but gain meaning later in the story.

Characterization

• Character: A fictional representation of a person, not always realistic.
• Round Character: A well-developed character that is deeply involved in the story's action.
• Flat Character: A static and stereotypical character lacking depth.
• Foil: A minor character that contrasts with a main character, highlighting specific traits.
• Stock Character: A recognizable and consistently behaving character type.
• Caricature: An exaggerated stock character defined by a dominant trait.
• Dynamic Character: A character that undergoes significant growth or change during the story.
• Static Character: A character that does not change throughout the narrative.

Setting and Atmosphere

• Setting: The backdrop of a story, including historical time, place, season, time of day, and weather.
• Atmosphere: The tone or emotional aura of a literary work, often influenced by setting and language.
• Mood: The overall emotional environment created by various elements including setting, characterization, and tone.

Narrative Techniques

• Point of View: The perspective from which a story is told, including first-person or third-person narration, with variations in knowledge (omniscient or limited).
• Narrator: The individual responsible for telling the story.
• Persona: The narrator created by the writer, akin to a mask in Greek tragedy.

Irony

• Irony: A literary device that introduces contrasting meanings or experiences. It includes:
  • Dramatic Irony: When the audience knows more than the protagonist.
  • Situational Irony: When the actual outcome differs from what was expected.
  • Verbal Irony: When spoken words contrast with their intended meaning.

Test your knowledge of literary terms with these flashcards. This quiz covers essential concepts such as genre and theme, providing definitions and explanations for better understanding. Ideal for anyone studying literature, whether in class or independently.