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.