Common Literary Terms
A hint to the reader, which may or may not be obvious during a first reading, about the general direction of the plot.
What is Foreshadowing?
To feel or express sincere regret or remorse about one's wrongdoing or sin.
What is Repent?
The wise, old immortal who tells the flood tale and tests Gilgamesh
Who is Utnapishtim?
Siddhartha's father who allows him to leave home to seek.
Who is the Brahmin?
The infamous criminal-defense attorney who arrives in Hillsboro vilified as an atheist but leaves, after losing the trial, as a hero.
Who is Henry Drummond?
The use of descriptive language to appeal to one of the reader's senses (sound, touch, smell, sight).
What is Imagery?
A person holding religious beliefs other than those of the main world religions.
The demon guardian of the Cedar Forest who gets killed
Who is Huwawa?
The buddha, who has attained enlightenment; teaches the Eightfold Path
Who is Gotama?
A quite, unassuming 24-year-old, who suffers emotionally as a result of the townspeople's treatment of him.
Who is Bertram Cates?
The expression of a certain idea by saying or showing just the opposite.
What is Irony?
Lasting for a very short time.
What is Ephemeral?
What is the greatest lesson Gilgamesh learns?
What is, Death is an inevitable and inescapable fact of human life?
The reason Siddhartha leaves home
What is the Search for spiritual enlightenment?
Two characters who experience a struggle against mainstream society (Theme of man. vs. society)
Who are Cates & Drummond?
An indirect reference to something outside the literary work. It could be in reference to a myth, historical event, another literary work, a person, etc.
What is Allusion?
Ask (someone) urgently and fervently to do something; implore; entreat.
What is Beseeching?
Two motifs in Gilgamesh
What are Journeys and Baptism?
A symbol that represents life, time, and the path to enlightenment
What is the river?
The conflict that exists beneath the surface of the trial
What is Fundamentalism vs. Freedom of Thought?
What is Allegory?
In a manner that shows tenacity and grim persistence.
What is Doggedly?
A symbol that consistently appears in Gilgamesh, representing choices.
What are Doorways?
The concept signifying unity and the perfection of the universe