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Literary Theory
Poetic Types
Genres
Literary Terms I
Literary Terms II
100
Approaches to literature attuned to the perspectives of women.
What is Feminist
100
Poetry that does not follow a regular metrical pattern or rhyme scheme.
What is free verse
100
A term used to describe those works which feature a protagonist overcomes adversity to reach a successful conclusion; generally lighter in tone than a tragedy.
What is comedy
100
Recurring object or idea that contributes to the development of theme.
What is motif
100
Designates any significant, recurring or developed idea, concept, or argument in a work of literature.
What is theme
200
Those theories of poetry and drama or works in literature which employ principles of artistic expression as explained in the Poetics. Most important are the theories of unity of action, unity of time and place, catharsis, peripeteia, and anagnorisis.
Aristotelian
200
Narrative poem composed in short stanzas easily adapted for singing and dancing.
What is ballad
200
A work of art intending to be meaningful on at least two levels of understanding, typically a literal level and then an abstract level.
What is allegory
200
To designate an object or a process that not only serves as an image itself but also refers to a concept or abstract idea that is important to the theme of the work.
What is symbol
200
A figures of speech that represent a matter or a case at less than its full force of truth.
What is understatement
300
An examination of the logical structure and patterns of imagery in a work to discover its unity of construction and meaning; a belief that there is “nothing outside the text.”
What is Deconstruction
300
Originally a form of dramatic poetry employed in ancient Greek plays, spoken by a chorus with music. In English poetry; a lyric poem, spoken by a single voice, marked by its serious tone, exalted theme, dignified language, and imaginative thought.
What is an Ode
300
A narrative which is conveyed by means of letters from one character to another.
What is epistolary novel
300
Any terse, witty, or pointed statement; in literature, a short poem notable for its concision of statement, pithiness, and wit.
What is epigram
300
A seemingly contradictory or absurd statement that is nevertheless true or sensible.
What is Paradox
400
A term used to describe the focus on the ideological function of literature; that is, the extent to which approved or classical literature has served historically to support or sustain the beliefs and privileges of the ruling classes.
What is Marxist
400
A relatively short poem in which a single speaker expresses an emotional state or process of thought
What is lyric
400
Humorous imitations or burlesques of ideas, styles, characters, or plots
What is a parody
400
The writer’s attempt to imitate reality.
What is mimesis
400
Designates the role or function of a narrator (often indistinguishable from the author).
What is persona
500
An international literary movement (1880-post WWII) which gave rise to radical experiments in literary techniques
What is Modernism
500
A term used to describe a meditative poem lamenting a death.
What is elegy
500
A simple story illustrating a moral or religious lesson.
What is a parable
500
Describes the narrative techniques that present multi-leveled flows of rational and irrational thoughts and impressions uninhibited by grammar, syntax, and logical transitions.
What is stream of consciousness
500
Describes figures of speech that assign human emotions to inanimate objects; melodramatic personification.
Pathetic Fallacy