click below
click below
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Lit Terms #22
Term | Definition |
---|---|
invective | a direct verbal assault |
kenning | a device employed in Anglo-Saxon in which the name of a thing is replaced by one of its functions/qualities, such as "whale-road" for ocean |
light verse | a variety of poetry meant to entertain or amuse, but sometimes with satirical overtones |
loose sentence | a sentence that is complete before its end |
periodic sentence | a sentence that is not grammatically complete until it reaches its final phrase; expresses its main thought at the end |
maxim | a saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth |
nemesis | the protagonist's archenemy or supreme and persistent difficulty |
objectivity | this treatment of a subject matter is an impersonal/outside view of events |
subjectivity | this treatment of a subject matter uses the interior/personal view of a single observer and is typically colored with the observer's emotional responses |
muse | the imaginary source of inspiration for an artist or writer |
Naturalism | a view of experiences in literature this is generally characterized as bleak and pessimistic |
novel of manners | a novel focusing on and describing the social customs and habits of a particular social group |
opposition | one of the most useful concepts for analyzing literature; having a pair of elements that contrast sharply |
ottava rima | a eight line rhyming stanza of poetry |
paraphrase | a version of a text put into simpler words |
pastorala | work of literature dealing with rural life |