Short stories - literary terms

11 important questions on Short stories - literary terms

What is the exposition in a novel, and how can it be conveyed?

- Exposition refers to the part of a novel that presents background information to the audience.
- This information can include aspects such as setting, events preceding the main plot, and characters' backstories.
- It can be presented through various means including dialogues, flashbacks, characters' thoughts, background details, in-universe media, or the narrator narrating a back-story.

How can you determine if an author's language is formal or informal?

- Assess the complexity and structure of the sentences used.
- Observe the choice of vocabulary—whether complex, technical, or colloquial.
- Evaluate the presence or absence of contractions and colloquial expressions.

What constitutes the climax of a story and how does it differ for comedies and tragedies?

- The climax is a significant point that decides the fate of the protagonist.
- In comedies, the protagonist's circumstances improve post-climax, revealing their strengths.
- In tragedies, the situation worsens for the protagonist, unveiling their weaknesses.
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What constitutes the rising action in a novel's plot and what is its significance?

- Rising action consists of related incidents that build up to the climax of the story.
- It follows the exposition (introduction) and includes a series of events that are crucial as the entire plot depends on them.
- These events are typically the most important parts of the novel as they set up the story's climax and contribute significantly to the resolution.

To identify figurative language in text, what elements should be noted?

- Look for symbolic language that represents ideas beyond literal interpretation.
- Identify metaphors that make implicit comparisons without using "as" or "like".
- Detect similes that draw explicit comparisons using "as" or "like".

What is an allusion and how is it employed in literature?

- An allusion is an indirect reference to another artistic work or person, event, or place, whether real or fictitious.
- It is employed with the intention to create an association in the reader's mind between the well-known object and a new one, effectively enriching the reader's experience.
(- Example: William Faulkner's novel The Sound and the Fury alludes to Shakespeare's Macbeth. This allusion sets the tone for Faulkner's story and highlights the repercussions of a futile speech on a family in ruins.)

How is the falling action depicted in a narrative and what potential suspense element may it include?

- The falling action showcases the unraveling conflict between the protagonist and the antagonist.
- It determines if the protagonist wins or loses against the antagonist.
- An element of suspense may be present, leaving the final outcome uncertain.

How does the concept of "foil" function in literary works?

- A foil is a character designed to contrast with a more prominent character.
- The purpose is to highlight differing qualities between the two, offering a clearer perspective on the more prominent character's traits.

What is the significance of the dénouement in a narrative, and how does it differ in comedies versus tragedies?

- The dénouement follows the falling action and leads to narrative closure.
- It resolves conflicts, restores normality, and provides catharsis for the reader.
- Comedies end with a favorable dénouement for the protagonist, whereas tragedies conclude with a catastrophe, leaving the protagonist worse off.

What are the three types of irony mentioned?

- Verbal irony: Author's words differ from meaning
- Dramatic irony: Audience knows more than characters
- Situational irony: Outcome contrasts expectations

Describe symbolism in literature.

- Symbolism: Objects or actions signify beyond literal sense

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