Literary Terms

To discuss and analyze literature it is important to know some of the basic

terms and expressions used within the subject area. The following glossary
covers the most widely used terms.

Definition
Term

Simply put, an allegory is a narrative that has a symbolic meaning.

allegory That is, the whole story, its plot, characters and often setting, are
all elements that signify a second correlated narrative.
Alliteration is when a text (most often poetry, but also prose) has
three or more succeeding words that start with the same sound. It
alliteration
is usually applied to consonants, either at the beginning of the
word or on a stressed syllable within the word.
Allusion In a literary work there will often be a brief reference to a person,
 place, event or to another literary work. This is called an allusion,
and was very common in classic and romantic poetry which had
many references to ancient mythology.
Ambiguity means double meaning. It is a common literary
ambiguity technique in both poetry and prose to use words and expressions
with multiple meanings.
The word covers the mood or ambience that the writer creates in
atmosphere his narrative. The intention is to give the reader a feeling (often
dark and foreboding) of what is going to happen.
A biography is, simply put, the story of a person’s life. It is a
popular genre; people love to read about the lives of famous
biography
persons. An autobiography is a biography written by the person
himself.
Blank verse is when a poem (of a certain metric pattern) has no
end rhymes. Many of Shakespeare’s texts, both his plays and
blank verse
poems are in blank verse. It will then have a certain melodic
rhythm that comes alive when it is recited.
character and Character refers to the person(s) in a narrative or a play. They can
 be described directly (through the narrator) or indirectly (through
characterization the eyes of other characters. We also use the terms flat or round
characters to indicate their complexity.
A verbal clichè is a fixed and often used expression. A structural
clichè is a common and predictable element of a narrative. It can
clichè be either a character or a turn of the plot. In film and literature
clichès are negative elements, since they indicate lack of
creativity, both in terms of language and plot arrangements.
A comedy is a play or a film that puts the audience in a good and
safe mood. Certain techniques are used to create a good comedy,
comedy e.g. mistaken identity and misunderstandings. The audience will
be amused and confident that things will turn out happily for the
characters (at least the ones who deserve it).
Connotation is the same as denotation, and means that a word
(mostly in poetry) has a different meaning than it has in everyday
connotation
use. E.g. “cold” will in colloquial settings mean low temperature,
but as a connotation it may also mean e.g. heartless or unfeeling.
contrast When certain opposites are juxtaposed, or put up against each
other, e.g. two scenes in a film, this will highlight the contrast
 between them. The effect is that the two elements will mutually
amplify each other.
This is one of the main literary genes (epic, lyric, dramatic) and will
epic denote a narrative which is told like a story or a plot. There are
many sub-genres of epic literature.
Originally this means some sort of inscription. It is a short, pointed
epigram poem that is often witty and well composed with a striking punch
line.
Epiphany in Greek means “manifestation of God.” In literature it
means a sudden and often spiritual awakening, like when a
epiphany
character suddenly sees with clarity the way out of a predicament
or a dilemma.
An essay is a composition about a topic, often arguing a certain
essay
thesis or stating a point of view.
Fiction, or a fictive narrative is invented, as opposed to a factual
fiction
presentation of events that are historically true.
foreshadow To foreshadow is to place hints or bits of information that will lead
the reader to an anticipation of the outcome of the narrative. The
 opening parts of a novel or a short-story will often hold elements of
foreshadowing.
Genre is French and means type or form; it is used to categorize
genre
literature in groups according to certain criteria.
In architecture, Gothic means the pointed style that broke with the
traditional Roman rounded form of arches and ceilings in
cathedrals. In literature the word is used about the type of novels
gothic
of the late 18th century, containing eerie ingredients like ghosts in
derelict castles with dark hallways and hidden doors. Other
elements would include violent action, occultism and sorcery.
This is an alternative denotation of the Renaissance (1550-1650),
and it signifies the human as a master of his universe; man is able
humanism
to seek within himself for answers, but must also appreciate his
own shortcomings and inner contradictions.
Hyperbole comes from Greek and means to exaggerate, as
hyperbole and opposed to an understatement, which is a blunt way of making a
understatement statement by giving it less significance than it really has; e.g to say
“bad luck” when a disaster has struck.
 Imagery is a common term in modern literary theory; it describes
imagery
poetry that is rich with suggestive images and associations.
In colloquial speech irony means to say the opposite of what one
really means (verbal irony). In literature one also has this verbal
irony, but also what is called structural irony, where the writer
irony
gives his plot a turn that can be read with a double meaning. In a
short-story there may be an ironic twist at the ending to sum up
the theme.
Originally a melodrama was a drama with song. In literature the
term will denote a plot which is a bit over the top when it comes to
melodrama effects. The plot will often be sentimental and not strictly credible,
and the characters are more exaggerated “types” than believable
persons.
A metaphor is a figure of speech where two or more elements of a
metaphor different nature are compared with each other, but without “like” or
“as”. If the comparison includes “like” or “as” it is called a simile.
Meter is a collective term for the rhythmic pattern of a poem. There
meter are a number of metric systems. A text written in meter is called a
verse.
 Note the spelling. A motif is a recurring element in a literary text. It
motif may be an incident or a phrase that occurs in different situations
and settings through the text.
Originally a myth is a story derived from mythology, e.g. the
ancient religions of Greece and Rome, or Norse mythology. At the
time the myth was believed to be true. The story of gods and
myth and legend
supernatural beings is a myth, but if the protagonist is a man it is
called a legend. Today a myth will usually mean something which
is a popular claim, but it is not true.
narrator and The narrator is the one that relates the story, and whose
narrative information unfolds the plot. The narrative is the story itself.
A novel can be defined as a substantial narrative with many
characters and a plot that stretches over a long time span (not
novel
always) and may have many settings. There are many sub-
categories.
To be omniscient means “to know it all,” and is used about a
omniscient narrator who is everywhere in the story and can reveal the
thoughts of all the characters.
 A paradox is a phrase or statement which seems self-
contradictory, but turns out to have a valid meaning after all. “Fair
paradox
is foul, and foul is fair” (Shakespeare, Macbeth) is an example of a
literary paradox.
Pathos is Greek and means deep feeling or passion. Today we
associate pathos with a slightly overexposed sentimentality
pathos
designed to evoke pity or compassion of the reader or a theatre
audience.
The plot is the structure and order of actions in a narrative text or a
plot
play.
The point of view is also called “angle” and signifies the way a
point of view narrative is told, and from where. The point of view will be the eyes
through which we see the narrative.
The protagonist is the main character of a narrative. There will
protagonist
also be sub-characters that the protagonist relates to.
A satire is a narrative which will expose a questionable practice or
satire element in a subtle and “concealed” way. A satire can be funny,
but has a serious intent.
 The setting of a narrative or a play will define where and when the
setting plot takes place. The setting will always be strongly related to the
plot, and will include description of weather and light / dark.
A short story is exactly that – a short story. It has a condensed plot
short story
that evolves over a short time span, and has few characters.
This term is used in dramatic literature and means that the actor is
soliloquy speaking to himself, or “aside” as it also is called. It is widely used
in many of Shakespeare’s plays.
“Stream of consciousness” was a term which was introduced
stream of during modernism, and means that the narrative is based on what
consciousness goes on in the mind of a protagonist. It is also called interior
monologue.
The style is the way the writer arranges his narrative and his
style choice of words. The style will be closely connected to the mood
and atmosphere.
A symbol is an object, expression or event that represents an idea
symbol beyond itself. The weather and light/darkness will often have a
symbolic meaning.
 In a tragedy an innocent protagonist will be involved in escalating
circumstances with a fatal result. The tragic development is either
tragedy
caused by a flaw in the character’s personality or by events that
evolve beyond his control.
The theme of a narrative or a play is the general idea or underlying
theme
message that the writer wants to expose.