AP LIT TERMS
Alliteration
Alliteration: "The repetition of usually initial consonant sounds in two or more m m m , , n neighboring words or syllables" (Merriam-Webster.com) Example: "From forth the fatal loins of these two foes; A pair of star-cross'd lovers take j their life" (Shakespeare 1). Function: This is an example of alliteration because of the repetition between "f" and j j k "l", this can be seen in the words "fatal, forth, and foes" (Shakespeare 1), and j in "lions, lovers, and life" (Shakespeare 1).
Allusion
Allusion: "A passing or casual reference; an incidental mention of something, either directly or by implication" (Dictionary.com). Example: "All night the dread less Angel unpursu'd Through Heav'ns wide Champain held his way, till Morn, Wak't by the circling Hours, with rosie hand Unbarr'd the gates of Light. There is a Cave Within the Mount of God, fast by his Throne" (Milton 6). Function: This is an example of allusion because when Miton says "dread less angel" (Milton 6), he is making a biblical allusion to Abidel who is considered a fearless angel.
Aphorism
Aphorism: "A statement of truth or opinion expressed in a concise and witty manner. The j term is often applied to philosophical, moral, and literary principles" S S S S S (LiteraryDevices.net). Example: "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point DD of view - until you climb into his skin and walk around in it" (Lee 30). Function: This is an example of aphorism because Atticus is using aphorism to say that MD you cannot judge someone unless you understand their view of the world and S how they live their life. Atticus is teaching Scout these moral lessons so she D D can grow up to be compassionate towards others and show sympathy instead of D judging.
Apostrophe
Apostrophe: In literature, apostrophe is a figure of speech sometimes represented by an exclamation, such as "Oh." A writer or speaker, using apostrophe, speaks directly to someone who is not present or is dead, or speaks to an inanimate object" (LiteraryDevices.com). Example: "Is this a dagger which I see before me, The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee! I have thee not, and yet I see thee still" (Shakespeare). Function: this is an example of an apostrophe because of Shakespeare's use of exclaimation when Macbeth says "come, let me clutch thee!" (Shakespeare).
Ballad
Ballad: "Poem of alternating lines of four and three metrical feet, often in quatrain, n h rhyme scheme ABAB, and often tells a story" (Majeski). Example: "Oh Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling From glen to glen, and down the mountain side The summer's gone, and all the flowers are dying 'Tis you, 'tis you must go and I must bide" (Cassidy I, 1-4). Function: This is an example of ballad poetry because it consists of alternating lines h f h and contains a rhyme scheme of ABAB which can be seen throw the h h h h h words"calling" (Cassidy I, 1) rhyming with "dying" (Cassidy I, 3), and f f f f f "side"(Cassidy I, 2) rhyming with "bide" (Cassidy I, 4).
Blank Verse
Blank Verse: Blank verse is a literary device defined as un-rhyming verse written in iambic pentameter. In poetry and prose, it has a consistent meter with 10 syllables in each line (pentameter); where, unstressed syllables are followed by stressed ones, five of which are stressed but do not rhyme. It is also known as "un-rhymed iambic pentameter." (Literarydevices.net). Example: "Something there is that doesn't love a wall, That sends the frozen-ground-swell under it, And spills the upper boulders in the sun; And makes gaps even two can pass abreast. William Cullen Bryant's "Thanatopsis" To him who in the love of Nature holds Communion with her visible forms, she speaks A various language; for his gayer hours She has a voice of gladness, and a smile And eloquence of beauty, and she glides Into his darker musings, with a mild And healing sympathy, that steals away" (Frost). Function: This is an example of a blank verse because nothing within the poem rhymes. The author, Robert Frost does this to better get his point across.
Colloquial
Colloquial Diction: refers to words or expressions used in ordinary language by common people. Example: "I didn't want to go back no more. I had stopped cussing, because the widow didn't like it; but now I took to it again because pap hadn't no objections... But by-and-by pap got too handy with his hick'ry, and I could't stand it. I was all over with welts. He got to going away so much, too, and locking me in. Once he locked me in and was gone three days. It was dreadful lonesome." Function: diverts from a formal style of writing to more of a slang style of writing. Twain is writing from the perspective of an African American in the 1830s and 40s.
connotative language
Connotative Language: "(of a word or expression) signifying or suggestive of an associative or secondary meaning in addition to the primary meaning, (Dictionary.com). Example: "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day," (Shakespeare 1 1). Function: This is an example of connotative language because Shakespeare uses a metaphor when pondering whether or not to compare the subject of the poem to a summer's day. Metaphors can be viewed as a secondary meaning and shakespeare's use of the metaphor with summer's day makes this an example of connotative language.
cosmic irony
Cosmic Irony: "The idea that fate, destiny, or the Gods control and toy with human hopes and c expectations" (Majeski 👑). Example: Tess of the d'Urbervilles Function: This is an example of cosmic irony because the main character Tess's life is c c constantly messed around and played with by the Gods.
Diction
Definition: the choice and use of words and phrases in speech or writing.
Syntax
Defintion: the arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language.
Denotative Language
Denotative Language: The explicit or direct meaning or set of meanings of a word or expression, as distinguished from the ideas or meanings associated with it or suggested by it; the association or set of associations that a word usually elicits for most speakers of a language, as distinguished from those elicited for any individual speaker because of personal experience. Example: "Some say the world will end in fire, Some say in ice ... But if it had to perish twice, I think I know enough of hate To say that for destruction ice ..." (Frost 1-7). Function: This is an example of denotative language because Frost uses personal reference in the poem, "I think I know of hate."
dramatic monologue
Dramatic Monologue: "In this type of monologue, a character speaks to the silent listener. This hh hhhh type has theatrical qualities, hence, it is known as dramatic monologue, and is hh hhh frequently used in poetry" (Literary Devices.net). Example: "And indeed there will be time To wonder, 'Do I dare?' and, 'Do I dare?' Time to turn back and descend the stair, With a bald spot in the middle of my hair ... In a minute there is time For decisions and revisions which a minute will reverse'" (Eliot VI 37-48). Function: This is an example of dramatic poetry because the young man, who goes by the h name of Prufrock, thoughts about attending a party are revealed to readers in h hh Eliot's dramatic poem. Prufrock is insecure, the poem reflects his pain and he hh hh feels that if he attends the party then it will completely disturb the universe.
Dramatic aside
Dramatic Aside: "A short comment or speech that a character delivers directly to the hh hh hhh audience, or to himself, while other actors on the stage appear not to hear. J jj Only the audience knows that the character has said something to them" h h h h Literary Devices.net). Example: "Lyubov Andreyevna, could I have a word? I was wondering if Madame hh hhh would be going back to Paris ... the food's uneatable, that old man nh hh hhh hhh wandering about muttering to himself ..." (Chekhov 83). Function: This is an example of dramatic aside because Yasha uses a dramatic aside to hhh express that he wants to travel back to Paris because of the residents and the hh current living conditions. Author Anton Chekhov uses an Aside in order to hh hhh allow the audience to see Yasha's mindset.
Dramatic irony
Dramatic Irony: "Where in speeches or situations in a drama or literature the audience or c c c c readers understand something the characters do not" (Majeski 👑). Example: The Little Mermaid Function: This is an example of dramatic irony because in the Little Mermaid the main f character, Ariel, trades her voice to turn her mermaid tail into a pair of legs f f with the help of a evil witch named Ursula. The prince in this tale, Eric, is f f f completely unaware of the fact that Ariel is a mermaid, while the audience is b fully aware of it throughout the story. The impact of dramatic irony within v f f this tale creates a suspense for if, and when Eric finds out Ariel is not human g and how he will react to the information.
Dramatic poetry
Dramatic Poetry: Poetry in which the poet creates the voice of an invented character or characters (Majeski the Magnificent). Example: "Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil!—prophet still, if bird or devil! By that Heaven that bends above us—by that God we both adore— Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn, It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels name Lenore— Clasp a rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore." Quoth the Raven "Nevermore"(Poe). Function: This is an example of dramatic poetry because the author, Edgar Allen Poe, uses the voice of a character to express their feelings.
Elegy
Elegy: A mournful, melancholy, or plaintive poem, especially a funeral song or a lament for the dead (dictionary.com). Example: "O CAPTAIN! My Captain! our fearful trip is done; The ship has weather'd every rack, the prize we sought is won; The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting, While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring: But O heart! Heart! Heart! O the bleeding drops of red, Where on the deck my Captain lies, Fallen cold and dead.O Captain! My Captain! rise up and hear the bells; Rise up-for you the flag is flung-for you the bugle trills; 10 For you bouquets and ribbon'd wreaths-for you the shores a-crowding; For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning; Here Captain! Dear father! This arm beneath your head; It is some dream that on the deck, You've fallen cold and dead. My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still; My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will; The ship is anchor'd safe and sound, its voyage closed and done; From fearful trip, the victor ship, comes in with object won; 20 Exult, O shores, and ring, O bells! But I, with mournful tread, Walk the deck my Captain lies, Fallen cold and dead" (Whitman). Function: This is an example of elegy because author is writing to Abraham Lincoln who at the time had just died, making this a mournful poem.
Euphemism
Euphemism: "Refers to polite, indirect expressions that replace words and phrases considered D harsh and impolite, or which suggest something unpleasant" D D D D D D D D D D D LiteraryDevices.net). Example: "For the time being," he explains, "it had been found necessary to make a DD EDED readjustment of rations" (Orwell 61). Function: This is an example of euphemism because squealer is trying to help the pigs in CC DD George Orwell's book Animal Farm. When he uses the word readjustment, he is C DD attempting to suppress the other animals claims of hunger.
Farce
Farce: "A farce is a literary genre and type of comedy that makes use of highly c d s d d d cv exaggerated and funny situations aimed at entertaining the audience" f dadf af afasf afaf (LiteraryDevices.net). Example: I'm sorry if we are a little late, Algernon, but I was obliged to call on dear Lady ds Harbury. I hadn't been there since her poor husband's death. I never saw a woman adv so altered; she looks quite twenty years younger" (Wilde 78). Function: This is an example of farce because in Oscar Wilde's novel, The Importance of d d Being Earnest, a novel by Oscar Wilde, which is considered to be on of the best g g verbal farces, has basic themes like making fun of the upper class. The quote g f ds s shown above is an example of Wilde mocking the upper class, the character dsv sdv speaking is giving to excuse to why she is late and simply explains that she was fsd sdva visiting a friend who suffered a loss recently, but the character reassures Algernon sfbb that Lady Harbury looks "20 years younger" (Wilde 78).
figurative language
Figurative Language: Language that uses words or expressions with a meaning that is different from the literal interpretation (yourdictionary.com) Example: "I'm more than just a piece in their games" (Collins 236). Function: This is an example of figurative language because author Susan Collins uses a metaphor when Katniss is explaining her displeasure towards the capital and their annual Hunger Games. This foreshadows Katniss eventually rebelling against the capital and their games, showing that she is "more than just a piece in their games." Literal Language: Language that uses words exactly according to their proper
Flashback
Flashback: "Interruptions that writers do to insert past events, in order to provide background gd or context to the current events of a narrative. By using flashbacks, writers allow esd their readers to gain insight into a character's motivations, and provide a background df to a current conflict. Dream sequences and memories are methods used to present s sfd flashbacks" (LiteraryDevices.com). Example: "The fridge light washes this room white Moon dances over your good side" (Styles 11-12) Function: This is an example of flashback because Styles is traveling back into his past to a fgd time where he was dating Taylor Swift. His song Two Ghost is about how the two dghd have changed and how things just are not how they used to be and he uses flashback to re compare their previous relationship to their relationship now.
Flat character
Flat Character: "An easily recognized character type in fiction who may not be fully g g fg delineated but is useful in carrying out some narrative purpose of the g g fg author" (Dictionary.com). Example: "'Percy,' Grover said,'the gods really don't appreciate people sitting in g g their thrones. I mean like turn-you-into-a-pile-of-ashes don't appreciate h g it'"(Riordan 42). Function: This is an example of a flat character because in all the Percy Jackson h g g books, Grover's main purpose is to protect Percy and to make sure he can v live in order to fulfill the prophecy. In the quote shown above Grover is g g keeping Percy's survival and health in mind when he advises him not to g g sit on the throne of a God when they are visiting Olympus. This is i u u u u significant because Percy could not complete his destiny on his own, all h g of the characters in the book, especially Grover, are included in the book g g to guide Percy, this shows that it is not only Percy's prophecy but it is also g the prophecy of all the characters who helped him along the way.
Formal Diction
Formal Diction: style of writing or speaking that uses complicated sentence structures, perfect grammatical form, and a wide range of vocabulary words (wisegeek.org). Example: "The camera crews, perched like vultures on the rooftops" (Collins 16). Function: this is an example of formal diction because Susan Collins compares camera crews to vultures perched on rooftops in a war scene in her book Mockingjay. This description of the camera crew not only adds to the image of the reaping scene but also gives readers a sense of what Katniss is feeling in the very moment. Katniss feels unsure and scared in this scene and the description of the camera crew is just another way of explaining her feelings
Free verse
Free Verse: Free verse is a literary device that can be defined as poetry that is free from limitations of regular meter or rhythm and does not rhyme with fixed forms. Such poems are without rhythms and rhyme schemes; do not follow regular rhyme scheme rules and still provide artistic expression. In this way, the poet can give his own shape to a poem how he/she desires. However, it still allows poets to use alliteration, rhyme, cadences or rhythms to get the effects that they consider are suitable for the piece (Literarydevices.net). Example: "Once a snowflake fell on my brow and i loved it so much and i kissed it and it was happy and called its cousins and brothers and a web of snow engulfed me then i reached to love them all and i squeezed them and they became a spring rain and i stood perfectly still and was a flower" (Giovanni). Function: This is an example of a free verse because it is freed from the limitations of regular meter or rhythm and does not rhyme with fixed forms.
heroic couplet
Heroic Couplet: "Usually used in epic poetry, rhyming pairs of lines in iambic pentameter" h g g (Majeski). Example: "Whan that aprill with his shoures soote The droghte of march hath perced to the roote, And bathed every veyne in swich licour Of which vertu engendred is the flour; Whan zephirus eek with his sweete breeth Inspired hath in every holt and heeth Tendre croppes, and the yonge sonne Hath in the ram his halve cours yronne" (Chaucer 23). Function: This is an example heroic couplet because all the lines rhyme with each other h and mimic iambic pentameter with five lines of metrical feet and consisting j k of one unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable.
High comedy
High Comedy: "Comedy dealing with polite society, characterized by sophisticated,witty dialogue and an intricate plot" (Dictionary.com). Example: "If you preach hate at the service Those words aren't anointed And that Holy Water, that you soak in is then poisoned" (Macklemore III 17-19). Function: This is an example of high comedy because to the average person this lyrical line in Macklemore's song "Same Love" would not be viewed as funny in any way, but if one were to sit and think about the lyric it soon becomes satirical. The lyric is funny in a mocking way, Macklemore is calling out people of faith who disapprove of others for their way of life during service yet their creator preaches love and kindness to all. This is a huge call-out to many church goers and kind of shocks you in a funny way, when you first hear it due to the truthfulness of his words.
Hyperbole
Hyperbole: "Obvious and intentional exaggeration" (Dictionary.com). Example: "Neptune's ocean wash this blood Clean from my hand? No. This my hand will rather The multitudinous seas incarnadine, Making the green one red" (Shakespeare ll, ll). Function: This is an example of hyperbole because Shakespeare is showing a large amount of exaggeration when he is saying "this my hand will rather the multitudinous sea incarnadine making the green one red" (shakespeare ll,ll), this will not happen.
Imagery
Imagery: The term imagery refers to visually descriptive or figurative language, especially in a literary work (Dictionary.com). Example: "Hunched shoulders, swollen knuckles," with nails and faces full of coal dust (Collins 10). Function: This is an example of imagery because Collins uses visually descriptive language to describe the men and women who face poverty in the seam. The seam is dismantled buildings which is home to the poorest of the poor in district 12. Collins uses imagery so her readers can get a better vision of the seam and get more into what they are reading.
Low comedy
Low Comedy: "Comedy that depends on physical action, broadly humorous or farcical situations, and often bawdy or vulgar joke" (Dictionary.com). . Example: "You remind me of school on a Sunday, No class" (Redman III 14-15) Function: This is an example of low comedy because this little dig at the subject of this song by Redman, is very apparent and makes listeners giggle at the clever remark. Redman is saying that the subject of this song is classless much like school on sunday, which there is no school present on sunday, so therefore it is classless.u
Lyrical poetry
Lyric Poetry: Poetry in which the poet expresses what he or she feels, perceives, or thinks this is the most common of all poetry. Example: "Turn back the heart you've turned away Give back your kissing breath Leave not my love as you have left The broken hearts of yesterday But wait, be still, don't lose this way Affection now, for what you guess May be something more, could be less Accept my love, live for today" (DeFord). Function: This is an example of lyrical poetry because the author, James DeFord, is expresses what he feels is the most common of all poetry.
Metaphor
Metaphor: A figure of speech in which a term or phrase is applied to something to which it is not literally applicable in order to suggest a resemblance (Dictionary.com). Example: "I'm more than just a piece in their games" (Collins 236). Function: This is an example of a metaphor because Katniss compares the capitals vision of her to a piece in a game.
Meter
Meter: "The recurring patterns of sound in a poem" (Majeski the Magnificent 👑). Examples: Iambic: "But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun" (Shakespeare). Trochaic: "Tell me not, in mournful numbers" (Longfellow). Anapest: "Twas the night before christmas and all through the house" (Moore). Dactyl: "This is the forest primeval. The murmuring pines and the hemlocks" (Longfellow). Function: All of these poems are an example of meter poetry because they all contain recurring sound patterns. The first example by William Shakespeare comes from his tragedy Romeo and Juliet. What makes the phrase an iambic is the stress pattern, which is unstressed than stressed. The second example, a trochaic, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Psalm of Life which showcases a pattern of stressed and then unstressed. The third example which is an anapest is entitled Twas the Night Before Christmas, by Clement Clarke Moore has a pattern of unstressed, unstressed, and stressed. The four example, Evangeline, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow presents a dactyl pattern of stressed, unstressed, and unstressed.
Metonymy
Metonymy: "A figure of speech that consists of the use of the name of one object or concept for that of another to which it is related, or of which it is a part, as "scepter" for "sovereignty," or "the bottle" for "strong drink," or "count heads (or noses)" for "count people" (Dictionary.com). Example: "I'm mighty glad Georgia waited till after Christmas before it secedes or it would have ruined the Christmas parties" (Mitchell 97). Function: This is an example of metonymy because Georgia is being used to refer to the whole state, everything, and everyone in it.
Motif
Motif: "In a literary work, a motif can be seen as an image, sound, action, or other b h figure that has a symbolic significance, and contributes toward the development h of a theme" (LiteraryDevices.net). Example: "If you ate an animal raw, you could never wash the blood off" (Lee 16). Function: This is an example of motif because it showcases the gothic tones of To Kill A g Mockingbird, mentioning things such as "animal raw" (Lee 16), and "blood" h h (Lee 16), is very gory and gothic.
novel of character
Novel of Character: "primary interests of the protagonist's thoughts, feelings, motives, and m m character development" (Majeski 👑). Example: "'Not Slytherin, eh?...Are you sure? You could be great, you know, it's all j here in your head, and Slytherin will help you on the way to greatness, no j doubt about that--no? Well, if you're sure--better by GRYFFINDOR!'" m m (121 Rowling). Function: This is an example of novel of character because Harry, who previously m m lived a sad, lonely life in the under the stairs closet of his aunt and uncle's j house, is sorted into Gryffindor. This is significant because Harry has found m a place where he truly belongs and finally has a connection to his deceased j k parents.
novel of incident
Novel of Incident: "In which the main focus is on the course and outcome of the events in the d plot" (Majeski 👑). Example: "I volunteer as tribute" (Collins 22). Function: This is an example of novel of incident because from this moment in the c c book the main focus of the plot is on Katniss and her survival in the c c c c Hunger Games for her sister. The book goes along through the process of v training for the games, the actual playing of the games, and Katniss, along v with Peeta, winning the games. The book ends with Katniss returning h j j k home but more importantly, returning to her sister.
Onomatopoeia
Onomatopoeia: "The formation of a word, as cuckoo, meow, honk,or boom, by imitation of a n sound made by or associated with its referent" (Dictionary.com). Example: "Hark, hark! Bow-wow. The watch-dogs bark! Bow-wow. Hark, hark! I hear The strain of strutting chanticleer Cry, 'cock-a-diddle-dow!'" (Shakespeare 2). Function: This is an example of onomatopoeia because of the use of "bow-wow" j k k k (Shakespeare 2), to represent the dogs barking.
Parable
Parable: "A figure of speech, which presents a short story, typically with a moral lesson at ed the end. You often have heard stories from your elders, such as The Boy Who w s d Cried Wolf, and All is Vanity. These are parables, because they teach you a certain e moral lesson. Parable is, in fact, a Greek word, parable, which means d sa asd ada add "comparison." It is like a succinct narrative, or a universal truth that uses dad as a da symbolism, simile, and metaphor, to demonstrate the moral lesson intended to be taught. Like analogy, we find the use of parables in verse and prose, specifically sd in religious texts, such as the Upanishad or the Bible" (LiteraryDevices.com). Example: "It's not a place This country is to me a sound Of drum and bass You close your eyes to look around" (Lamar 67-71). Function: This is an example of parable because Kendrick Lamar's song XXX is short story dsv about gun violence in America. Lamar's cry out for political help against gun sd sdf sdf violence can be seen through lyrics such as "Yesterday I got a call like from my dog d like 101 Said they killed his only son because of insufficient funds" (Lamar 22-24) d g and "It be murder in the street, it be bodies in the hour"(Lamar 41-42). Lamar fd d h h continues to describe his personal experiences between gun violence in the format of j a short story. Lamar uses a character "Johnny" to showcase the lives young black men h in America's current society, "Johnny don't wanna go to school no mo', no mo' h hi k j Johnny said books ain't cool no mo' (no mo') Johnny wanna be a rapper like his big j k cousin Johnny caught a body yesterday out hustlin' God bless America, you know we h all love him" (Lamar 17-20). All of Lamar's lyrics in XXX can be shown in the line h hh used above for the example, meaning that people are just closing their eyes to the h j j j violence in our country.
Parody
Parody: "An imitation of a particular writer, artist, or genre, exaggerating it deliberately to c produce a comic effect" (Literary Devices.net). Example: It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must d be in want of more brains" (Grahame-Smith 106). Function: This is an example of parody because it is an alternate version of Jane Austen's c c novel Pride and Prejudice but with zombies. The quote above is a parody of the c c quote "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a c good fortune, must be in want of a wife" (Austen 126). Grahame-Smith created c d this parody to provide comic relief to readers and to add a sific effect to the classic d novel. The movie adaption of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies did the book d dvsd justice.
pathetic fallacy
Pathetic Fallacy: "The endowment of nature, inanimate objects, etc., with human traits h f fh and feelings"(Dictionary.com). Example: "I look at you all see the love there that's sleeping While my guitar gently weeps I look at the floor and I see it needs sweeping Still my guitar gently weeps" (Beatles 1-4). Function: This is an example of a pathetic fallacy because of the line "still my guitar b gently weeps"(Beatles), a guitar is an inanimate object so in a literal sense g it is not capable of weeping, but in this song the Beatles decided to use a gf pathetic fallacy of the guitar being able to weep to showcase the emotions g they feel towards a love interest. The use of a pathetic fallacy has a bigger g impact on listeners due to the fact that it intensifies the sadness of the gfhjf fg song.
Personification
Personification: "The attribution of human nature or character to animals, inanimate h h h j objects, or abstract notions, especially as a rhetorical gh h hh hhh hhh hhhh figure"(Dictionary.com). Example: "Because I could not stop for Death - V He kindly stopped for me - The Carriage held but just Ourselves - And Immortality. We slowly drove - He knew no haste And I had put away My labor and my leisure too, For His Civility -" (Dickinson I, 1-7). Function: This is an example of personification because author, Emily Dickinson, n uses human attributes to describe death's effect on her. This can be seen h through the words "he kindly stopped for me"(Dickinson 2) and "he g fh hf knew no haste" (Dickinson 5), death itself is not capable of stopping or gf j knowing, but Dickinson gives death those traits, through the use of ng hgj gjfj personification, in order to better portray death's impact on her.
Rhythm
Rhythm: "The number of metrical feet in a line of poetry" (Majeski the Magnificent 👑). Examples: Tetrameter: "And did those feet in ancient time Walk upon England's mountains green? And was the holy Lamb of God On England's pleasant pastures seen" (Blake). Pentameter: "The woods decay, the woods decay and fall, The vapours weep their burthen to the ground, Man comes and tills the field and lies beneath, And after many a summer dies the swan" (Tennyson). Hexameter: "Now had the season returned, when the nights grow colder and longer, And the retreating sun the sign of the Scorpion enters. Birds of passage sailed through the leaden air, from the ice-bound, Desolate northern bays to the shores of tropical islands" (Longfellow). Function: These poems are all examples of meter because of recurring patterns within each poem. The example used for Tetrameter named Milton, by William Blake has four metrical feet. As for the pentameter example, which has five metrical feet has the title of Tithonus by Alfred Lord Tennyson. The hexameter example by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, entitled Evangeline, has six metrical feet.
round character
Round Character: "A character in fiction whose personality, background, motives, and other h features are fully delineated by the author" (Dictionary.com). Example: "There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the g g will of others. My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me" h h h (Austen 130). Function: This is an example of round character because readers are first introduced to g g Elizabeth as an innocent girl but as the story develops Elizabeth's true g g g g g g characteristics begin to show. Readers learn that Elizabeth is a fierce, r r r r r r r r r independent woman which differs from Elizabeth's prejudice, which is her h h h major flaw, shown in the beginning of the book. This is significant because f f f f women at this time were oppressed and sheltered but Bennet breaks those h h h h barriers which was very uncommon to see.
Sarcasm
Sarcasm: "Sarcasm is a literary and rhetorical device that is meant to mock, often with g g g g satirical or ironic remarks, with a purpose to amuse and hurt someone, or some gg gg section of society, simultaneously" (Literary Devices.com) Example: "I'm a Leo" (Riordan 15). Function: This is an example of sarcasm because Leo introduces himself to demigod, Percy, g who makes the joke shown above. Percy did not literally think this character was h introducing himself by his zodiac sign and not his name, Percy was using sarcasm th to Mock Leo. This shows Percy's playful personality to readers. The next line in j j the book has to do Leo scolding Percy for making the joke.
Satire
Satire: "Technique employed by writers to expose and criticize foolishness and corruption g of an individual or a society, by using humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule. It f f f intends to improve humanity by criticizing its follies and foibles. A writer in a g g g satire uses fictional characters, which stand for real people, to expose and condemn h h their corruption" (Literary Devices.com). Example: "The more you know the sadder you get" (Colbert 210). Function: This is an example of satire because Colbert is claiming that education makes you h g g sad. In the education chapter of his book, I am America (and so Can You), Colbert h h writes that a higher education does not benefit you, it only makes you sad. This is g g g obviously satirical towards those who do not believe you need an education.
Simile
Simile: A figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing with another thing of a different kind, used to make a description more emphatic or vivid (Dictionary.com). Example: "They are a closing in, just like a pack of wild dogs" (Collins 318). Function: This is an example of a simile because author Susan Collins compares the vicious career pack to a group of wild dogs when they are chasing Katniss throughout the arena. The use of the simile makes the description of the career pack more hostile and aggressive.
Sonnet
Sonnet: Prosody a poem, properly expressive of a single, complete thought, idea, or sentiment, of 14 lines, usually in iambic pentameter, with rhymes arranged according to one of certain definite schemes, being in the strict or Italian form divided into a major group of 8 lines (the octave) followed by a minor group of 6 lines (the sestet), and in a common English form into 3 quatrains followed by a couplet (dictionary.com). Example: Being one day at my window all alone, So manie strange things happened me to see, As much as it grieveth me to thinke thereon. At my right hand a hynde appear'd to mee, So faire as mote the greatest god delite; Two eager dogs did her pursue in chace. Of which the one was blacke, the other white: With deadly force so in their cruell race They pincht the haunches of that gentle beast, That at the last, and in short time, I spide, Under a rocke, where she alas, opprest, Fell to the ground, and there untimely dide. Cruell death vanquishing so noble beautie Oft makes me wayle so hard a desire (Petrarch). Function: This is an example of sonnet because it is a single, complete thought.
Synechdoche
Synecdoche: "A figure of speech by which a part is put for the whole (such as fifty sail for fifty ships), the whole for a part (such as society for high society), the species for the genus (such as cutthroat for assassin), the genus for the species (such as a creature for a man), or the name of the material for the thing made (such as boards for stage)" (Dictionary.com). Example: "The western wave was all a-flame. The day was well was nigh done! Almost upon the western wave Rested the broad bright Sun"(Coleridge I, IV). Function: This is an example of synecdoche because the sea is being called "western wave" (Coleridge I), a wave is a part of a sea so therefore it is a synecdoche.
Theme
Theme: Theme is defined as a main idea or an underlying meaning of a literary work, n j which may be stated directly or indirectly" (LiteraryDevices.com) Example: "I was a child and she was a child, In this kingdom by the sea, But we loved with a love that was more than love— I and my Annabel Lee— With a love that the wingèd seraphs of Heaven Coveted her and me" (Poe II 4-9). Function: This is an example of the theme love. Poe describes his passion for Annabel h h Lee and the story which brought them together.
Verbal irony
Verbal Irony: "Where what is expressed is opposite of what is meant" (Majeski 👑). Example: Pride and Prejudice Function: This is an example of verbal irony because Mr. Darcy says that Elizabeth f f f f f f Bennett is not enough for her but throughout the book he falls deeply in love g f f with her despite his previous statements.
caesura (n)
caesura: "rhythmical pause in a poetic line or a sentence. It often occurs in the middle of a line, or sometimes at the beginning and the end. At times, it occurs with punctuation; at other times it does not. Poets indicate such a pause with a parallel symbol thus: ||. Caesura can be medial (occurring in the middle of line), initial (occurring at the beginning of poetic line), or terminal (occurring at the end of a poetic line)" (Literarydevices.com). Example: It is for you we speak, || not for ourselves: You are abused || and by some putter-on That will be damn'd for't; || would I knew the villain, I would land-damn him. || Be she honour-flaw'd, I have three daughters; || the eldest is eleven (Shakespeare). Function: This is an example of caesura because of the non-stressed and short syllable between the words him and daughter.
