American Short Story

What are the characteristics of sentimentalism?

- Primary characteristic is emphasis on feeling light and the affective bonds among human beings - Often associated with femininity and domesticity (Domestic things pertaining to the home and family) - Most prevalent mid 19th century (1840s-1870s) -Regio Often associated with Christianity and/or forms of Christian benevolence applied to reform movements

What are Hawthorne's theme?

- Sin and repentance - morality - conformity - individual responsibility between humans and nature

How was sentimentalism viewed by critics?

20th century critics largely discounted sentimentalism sentiment writing as overly emotional and tied the genre almost exclusively to women. Increasingly, critics acknowledged the power of sentimentalism to challenge the status quo and encourage social change through pathos appeals

Define Dynamic Character

: a character who, during the course of the narrative, grows or changes in some significant way

Define Episodic Plot

A form of plotting where the individual scenes and events are presented chronologically without any profound sense of cause-and-effect relationship. In an episodic narrative the placement of most scenes could be changed without greatly altering the overall effect of the work

Define Limited Omniscience

a type of point of view in which the narrator sees into the minds of some but not all of the characters. Most typically, limited omniscience, the author can compromise between the immediacy of first-person narration and the nobility of third person

Define Nonparticipant Narrator

A narrator who does not appear in the story as a character but is capable of revealing the thoughts and motives of one or more characters. A nonpartipant narrator is also capable of moving from place in order to describe action and report dialogue.

Define Omniscient

A narrator who has the ability to move freely through the consciousness of any character. The omniscient narrator also has complete knowledge of all the external events in a story

Define Participant Narrator

A narrator who participates as a character within a story

Define Unreliable Narrator

A narrator who-intentionally or unintentionally-relates events in a subjective or distorted manner. The author usually provides some indication early on in such stories that the narrator is not to be completely trusted.

Define Total Omniscience

A type of point of view in which the narrator knows everything about all of the characters and events in a story. A narrator with total omniscience can also move freely from one character to another. Generally, a totally omniscient narrative is written in third person

Define Foreshadowing

An indication of events to come in a narrative. The author may introduce specific words, images, or actions in order to suggest significant later events. The effective use or foreshadowing by an author may prevent a story's outcome from seeming haphazard or contrived.

The football team, _____________, was named after Edgar Allan Poe

Baltimore Ravens

Who wrote "The Yellow Wallpaper?"

Charlotte Perkins Gilman

How did Gilman die?

Committed suicide because she didn't want to suffer from Breast Cancer

What is Romanticism? What does it emphasize?

Count to the Enlightenment; intuition, imagination, and feeling over reason and calculation

What story is Desiree in? Who is she?

Desiree's Baby Armands wife, adopted by Valomonde's "Look at my hand; whiter than yours, Armand." "She did not take the broad, beaten road which led to the far-off plantation of Valmonde. She walked across a deserted field, where the stubble bruised her tender feet, so delicately shod, and tore her thin gowns to shreds."

What story is Monsieur Valomondé in? Who is he?

Desiree's Baby Desiree's Dad "Monsieur Valmonde grew practical and wanted things well considered: that is, the girl's obscure origin. Armand looked into her eyes and did not care"

What story is Madame Valmondé in? Who is she?

Desiree's Baby Desiree's mom Figures out the baby's race first: "'This is not the baby!' she exclaimed, in startled tones." Observing the baby: "She scanned the baby narrowly, then looked as searchingly at Zandrine..." "My own Desiree: Come home to Valmonde; back to your mother who loves you. Come with your child."

Poe is considered the father of:

Gothic literature

What story is Armand in? Who is he?

Desiree's Baby Husband, slave owner, realizes hes part black after he sends desiree away with their child When Armand sees Desiree "The passion that awoke in him that day, when he saw her at the gate, swept along like an avalanche, or like a prairie fire, or like anything that drives headlong over all obstacles." Armand speaking to Desiree: "It means that you are not white." "There was the remnant of one back in the drawer from which he took them. But it was not Desiree's; it was part of an old letter from his mother to his father. He read it." Armand's mother writing to his father "night and day I thank the good God for having arranged our lives that our dear Armand will never know that his mother, who adores him, belongs to the race that is cursed with the brand of slavery."

What was the name of the false character Irvine created? What was the story?

Diedrich Knicherbocker, Created fake fliers saying Diedrich was a wanted person at his hotel and he was going to publish his hidden paper -> people are excited to read what Irvine publishes

Who wrote "The Tell-Tale Heart"?

Edgar Allan Poe

Who wrote "Roman Fever"?

Edith Wharton

Is "The Appointment in Samara" a fable, parable, or tale? Why?

Fable, points toward a statement of truth: you never know when you will meat death

Is "The North Wind and The Sun" a fable, parable, or tale? Why?

Fable, points toward pointed truth "persuasion is better than force"

What was Poe's family life like?

Father abandoned the family, mother died from tuberculosis, adopted by the Allan's

American Short Story was ultimately changed by the rise of _______

Film

What was Poe's addiction that got his kicked out of college?

Gambling

What notable author is Charlotte Perkins Gillman related to?

Harriet Beecher Stowe

Who wrote "Desiree's Baby?"

Kate Chopin

Who wrote "The Story of an Hour"?

Kate Chopin

Who wrote "The Quadroons"?

Lydia Maria Child

Who said, "no man could be a poet and a book-keeper at the same time?"

Nathaniel Hawthorne

Who wrote "The Birthmark?"

Nathaniel Hawthorne

What did Griswold do after Poe died? How did that affect Poe's legacy?

Published his work and biographies, made him even more famous

Is "The Prodigal Son" a fable, parable, or tale? Why?

Parable, teaches a morale with a realistic story, you will always be welcomed home

Is "Independence" a fable, parable, or tale? Why?

Parable, teaches a morale with a realistic story: it is better to have knowledge than power

What did Gilman's writing advocate for?

Paternal rights and women in economics

What was the Brooke Farm Commune? Who stays there?

Place where everyone worked and split the benefits evenly as a way to escape capitalism; Nathaniel Hawthorne

How did Poe's fans pay tribute to him?

Poe Toaster, would raise a glass of cognac, bring 3 roses, and write a letter at his grave site

What kind of writer was Kate Chopin?

Regionalist writer: one who focuses on the characters, dialect, customs, topography and other features particular to a specific region

What are Poe's frequent subjects?

Revenge, the relationship between love and hate, gender, death, self/alternate self, "the death of a beautiful woman," unreliable narrator

What story is Jenny Slade in? Who is she?

Roman Fever Daughter of Delphin and Alida, perfect proper girl

What story is Barbara (Babs) Ansley in? Who is she?

Roman Fever Daughter of Horrace Ansley (but actually Delphin Slade) and Grace Ansley , adventurous girl

What story is Delphin Slade in? Who is he?

Roman Fever Husband of Alida, secretly loves Grace

What story is Grace Ansley in? Who is she?

Roman Fever Married to Horrace, had affair with Mr. Delphin Slade, had his baby, Barbara, knits throughout story

What story is Horrace Ansley in? Who is he?

Roman Fever husband of Grace

What story is Alida Slade in? Who is she?

Roman Fever wife of Delphin mother of Jenny, jealous of Grace, writes fake letter from delphin to grace

Who despised Poe?

Rufus Griswold

What style was Lydia Marie Child known for?

Sentimentalism

Is "Godfather Death" a fable, parable, or tale? Why?

Tale, no clear plot, strange, fantastical characters

What story is Amindab in? Who is he?

The Birthmark Alymer's assistant "With his vast strength, his shaggy hair, his smoky aspect, and the indescribable earthiness that incrusted him, he seemed to represent man's physical nature."

What story is Aylmer in? Who is he?

The Birthmark Husband, scientist Represents Enlightenment "In the latter part of the last century there lived a man of science, an eminent proficient in every branch of natural philosophy." "He had devoted himself, however, too unreservedly to scientific studies ever to be weaned from them by any second passion. His love for his young wife might prove the stronger of the two; but it could only be by intertwining itself with his love of science, and uniting the strength of the latter to his own" "Slender figure, and pale, intellectual face, were no less apt a type of the spiritual element."

What story is Geogiana in? Who is she?

The Birthmark Wife, has birthmark in the shape of a hand on her cheek Georgiana speaking to Alymer: "Life is but a sad possession to those who have attained precisely the degree of moral advancement at which I stand." Georgiana speaking to Alymer: "you have aimed loftily; you have done nobly. Do not repent that with so high and pure a feeling, you have rejected the best the earth could offer."

What story is Ichabod Crane in? Who is he?

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Main character, school teacher, killed by the headless horseman. Falls in love with Katrina. "He was tall and exceedingly lank, with narrow shoulders, long arms and legs, hands that dangled a mile out of his sleeves and feet that might have served for shovels. His head was small, flat at top, with huge ears, large green glassy eyes, and a long snipe nose, so that it looked like a weathercock perched upon his spindle neck, to tell which way the wind blew. To see him striding along on a windy day, with his clothes bagging and fluttering about him, one might have mistaken him for some scarecrow eloped in a cornfield."

What story is Brom (Bones) Van Brunt in? Who is he?

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Son of rich family, wants to marry Katrina "He was broad-shouldered, with short curly black hair, and a bluff but not unpleasant countenance, having a mingled air of fun and arrogance." "He was always ready for either a fight or a frolic, but had more mischief and good humor than ill will in his composition"

What story is Katrina Van Tassel in? Who is she?

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Wanted woman The woman who is actually in charge of the narrative "She wore ornaments of pure yellow gold to set off her charms, and a provokingly short petticoat to display the prettiest foot and ankle in the country round" Ichabod describing Katrina: "His heart yearned after the damsel who was to inherit these domains, and his imagination expanded with the idea how they might be readily turned into cash, and the money invested in immense tracts of wild land, and shingle palaces in the wilderness."

What story is Xarifa in? Who is she?

The Quadroons Daughter of Rosalie and Edward, Quadroon, young girl turned into slave, goes mad "A child of the sun." "Her complexion, of still a lighter brown than Rosalie's, was rich and glowing as an autumnal lead. The iris of her large, dark eye had the melting, mezzotinto outline, which remains the last vestige of African ancestry, and gives that plaintiff expression, so often observed, and so appropriate to that docile and injured race."

What story is Charlotte in? Who is she?

The Quadroons Edwards lover, takes care of Xarifa when he dies "Though inferior in beauty, was yet a pretty contrast to her rival. Her light hair fell in silken profusion, her blue eyes were gentle, though inexpressive, and her healthy cheeks were like opening rose-buds"

What story is Edward in? Who is he?

The Quadroons Husband of charlotte and Rosalie, father of Xarifa, dies of drunkeness "His political success most depended was a very popular and wealthy man, who had an only daughter."

What story is Rosalie in? Who is she?

The Quadroons The wife, mother of Zarifa, "wife" of richard, 1/2 black, dies of a broken heart Speaking to Edward: "Let the church that my mother loved sanction our union, and my own soul be satisfied, without the protection of the state." Rosalie worrying about Xarifa: "For herself she cared little... But when she looked at her beloved Xarifa, and reflected upon the unavoidable and dangerous position which the tyranny of society had awarded her, her soul was filled with anguish."

What story is George in? Who is he?

The Quadroons Xarifa's school teacher and lover, get shot by slave owner "Her teacher on the harp was a handsome and agreeable young man of twenty, the only son of an English widow. Perhaps Edward had not been altogether unmindful of the result, when he first invited him to the flowery cottage."

What story is Brently Mallard in? Who is he?

The Story of an Hour Husband, thought to have died

What story is Richards in? Who is he?

The Story of an Hour Mr. Mallards best friend

What story is Josephine in? Who is she?

The Story of an Hour Ms. Mallards sister

What story is Mrs. Louise Mallard in? Who is she?

The Story of an Hour Wife, extremely happy when she thinks her husband died

What story is John in? Who is he?

The Yellow Wallpaper Husband, physician

What story is Mary in? Who is she?

The Yellow Wallpaper John sister, narrators care taker

Define Protagonist

The main or central character in a narrative. The protagonist usually initiates the main action of the story, often in conflict with the antagonist

Define Antagonist

The most significant character or force that opposes the protagonist in a narrative

Define Plot

The particular arrangement of actions, events, and situation that unfold narrative. A plot is not merely the general story of a narrative but the authors artistic pattern made from the parts of the narrative, including the exposition, complications, climax, and denouement. How an author chooses to construct the plot, therefore, can be the authors most important expressive device when writing a story.

Define Point of View

The perspective from which a story is told. There are many types of point of view, including first-person narrator and third-person narrator

Who is known as the "inventor" of American Short Story and the first to make a living on writing alone?

Washington Irvine

Who wrote "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow"?

Washington Irvine

Define First Person Narrator

a story in which the narrator is a participant in the action. Such a narrator refers to himself or herself as "I" and may be a major or minor character in the story. His of her attitude toward and understanding of character and events shapes the readers perception of the story being told

What is a Tale?

a story that sets forth strange and fantastical events in more or less bare summary, without detailed character drawing

Define Flat Character

a term coined by English novelist E.M. Forester to describe a character with only one outstanding trait. Flat characters are rarely the central characters in a narrative and are often based on stock characters. Flat characters stay the same throughout a story.

Define Round Character

a term coined by English novelist E.M. Forester to describe a complex character who is presented in depth and detail in a narrative. Round characters are those who change significantly during the course of a narrative. Most, often round characters are the central characters in a narrative

Where did Edith Wharton base her stories? How was this perceived?

Upper class NYC society. People outside of that culture loved, people inside were angry and she lost friendships

What is a parable?

a brief narrative that teaches a moral, but unlike the fable, its plot is plausibly realistic and the characters are human, not humanized animals or forces

What is a fable?

a brief story that sets forward some pointed/specific statement of truth

Define Static Character

a fixed character who remains unchanged during the course of a narrative

Define Epiphany

a moment of insight, discovery, or revelation by which a character's life is greatly altered. An epiphany generally occurs near the end of a story. The term, which means "shadowing forth" in Greek, was first used in Christian theology to signify the manifestation of God's presence in the in the world. This is theological idea was adapted by James Joyce to refer to a heightened moment of secular revelation

Define unified plot

a plot in which the continuity of events is patterned rather than episodic. In a unified plot, the sequence of events and actions is carefully constructed to achieve a particular effect

Define Antihero

a protagonist who is lacking in one or more of the conventional qualities attributed to a hero. Instead of being brave and strong, for instance, the antihero may be weak and cowardly. The antihero is often considered an essentially modern form of characterization, a satiric or realistic commentary on traditional portrayals of idealized heroes or heroines.

Define flashback

a scene relived in a characters memory. Flashbacks allow the author to include events that occurred before the opening of the story, which may show the readers something significant that happened in the characters past or give an indication of what kind of person the character used to be

Define Character

an imagined person who inhabits a narrative

What are some characteristics of American Short Story?

o Can be read in a single sitting o Commonly less that 20,000 words o Every component furthers the plot; nothings can be added or deleted and maintain effect o Typically has no subplots o Depends upon the readers prior knowledge and experience - You don't have the luxury to develop a scene or city, broad idea, thing that the writer does not have the luxury to explain o Has a distinct climax arising from conflict of two opposing forces o Little characterization outside 1-2 central characters o Has a definite outcome that may or may not be happy § Usually something signals and end

Economic Crisis of 1819

o Shift from silver and gold to "credit, speculation, and paper" o Wealth no longer tied to property, unsure how to judge "gentry" or manliness" o War of 1812, Europe sells goods for cheap but buys from America at prime rates § Federal land sales increased from about 500,000 Acres in 1813 to about 4 million in 1818 § Demand for capital credit and banks number of banks doubled § Federal banks called the loans, commodity prices plummeted in Europe sudden retraction of credit

Define climax

the moment of greatest intensity in a story, which almost inevitably occurs toward the end of the work. The climax often takes the form of a decisive confrontation between the protagonist and antagonist. In a conventional story, the climax is followed by the resolution or denouement in which the effects and results of the climactic action are presented

Define exposition

the opening portion of a story during which the scene is set, the protagonist is introduced, and the author discloses any other background information necessary to allow the reader to understand and relate to the events that are to follow.

Define Setting

the time and place of a story. The setting may also include the climate and even the social, psychological, or spiritual state of the participants