Literary Arsenal
Literary ArsenalAs we journey through literature together this
year, we will come upon both foes and friends, just as all
adventurers do. Therefore, we will need to do the following to gain
the most from our epic odyssey:Build our arsenal of literary
weapons to help us fend off the monsters of confusion, dragons of
superficiality, and barbarians of boredom Select one character in
each of the novels and track his or her odyssey, frequently
comparing it to our ownRecord the achievements, conquests, trials
and tribulations of our journey and those of the charactersSupport
each other and celebrate obliterating our foes
Point of ViewDefinition: the vantage point from which the writer
has chosen to tell the story3rd PersonLimited The narrator, who
plays no part in the story, zooms in on the thoughts and feelings
of just one character. With this point of view, the reader observes
the action through the eyes and with the feelings of this one
character.CharacterizationDefinition: the process of revealing the
personality of a character in a story
Direct CharacterizationDefinition: the writer tells readers what
kind of person a character isIndirect CharacterizationDefinition:
the process of revealing the personality of a character through
actions, speech, other characters, and unspoken thoughts in a
storyStatic CharacterDefinition: one who does not change much in
the course of the storyDynamic CharacterDefinition: one who changes
as a result of the storys eventsFlat CharacterDefinition: one who
has one or two traits, and these can be described in a short
phraseRound CharacterDefinition: one, who like a real person, has
many different character traits, sometimes
contradictoryAllusionDefinition: Reference to a statement, a
person, a place, or an event from literature, history, religion,
mythology, politics, sports, science, or pop
culture.ProtagonistDefinition: the main character in the
storyAntagonistDefinition: person or thing with whom or what the
protagonist strugglesMetaphorDefinition: a figurative use of
language in which a comparison is expressed without the use of a
comparative term like as, like, or than.SimileDefinition: a
directly expressed comparison; a figure of speech comparing two
objects, usually with like, as, or than.ThemeDefinition: the
central idea of a piece of literature; a universal truth; what the
author is trying to tell you about lifeOxymoronDefinition: a form
of paradox that combines a pair of contrary terms into a single
expressionSettingThe time, place, and environment in which the
action takes place.Story StructureThe arrangement or framework of a
sentence, paragraph, or entire work.EpicEpic:A long narrative POEM
in elevated STYLE, presenting characters of high position in a
series of adventures
Epic characteristics: --the HERO is a figure of imposing
stature, of national or international importance, and of great
historical or legendary significance; --the SETTING is vast in
scope, covering great nations, the world, or the universe; --the
action consists of deeds of great valor or requiring superhuman
courage --supernatural forcesgods, angels, and demons--interest
themselves in the action and intervene from time to time;--a STYLE
of sustained elevation and grand simplicity is used; and--the epic
poet recounts the deeds of his heroes with objectivity.
Structure Cont.Epic Structure: --the poet opens by stating his
theme,invokes a Muse to inspire and instruct him,and opens his
narrative in medias resin the middle of thingsgiving the necessary
exposition in later portions of the epic;--he includes CATALOGS of
warriors, ships, armies;--he gives extended formal speeches by the
main characters;--he makes frequent use of the EPIC
SIMILE.IronyVerbal: a writer or speaker says one thing but really
means something completely differentSituational: occurs when there
is a contrast between what would seem appropriate and what really
happens or when there is a contradiction between what we expect to
happen and what really does take place Dramatic: occurs when the
audience / reader knows something important a character in a play
or story does not knowPersonificationEndowing non-human objects or
creatures with human qualities or characteristicsSymbolismA person,
place, thing, or event that stands for itself or something
elseEpithetAdjective or descriptive phrase that is regularly used
to describe a person, place, or thing.Foil CharacterA character
used to contrast another character in a story.ForeshadowingThe use
of clues to hint at events that will occur later in the
plot.DialectA way of speaking that is characteristic of a
particular region or a particular group of people.ClimaxThe point
of highest interest in a literary workAuthors PurposeAn authors
purpose is the reason an author decides to write about a specific
topic. Then, once a topic is selected, the author must decide
whether his purpose for writing is to inform, persuade, entertain,
or explain his ideas to the reader.ConnotationAll the meanings,
emotions, and associations that have become attached to some
words.DenotationThe literal dictionary definitions of a word.ToneA
writers attitude toward material and/or his/her readers.Rising
ActionChain of events that takes place as the main character
struggles to achieve his or her goal. Conflict that propels
(advances) the plot.Falling ActionEvents leading to the
resolution.Resolution Events following the climax in which any
remaining issues are resolved.