Literary Terms Flashcard 2024-2025

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What is the definition of connotation?

Back

Connotation refers to the emotional or cultural association that a word carries, beyond its literal meaning.

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What is a foil in literature?

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A foil is a character whose qualities or actions contrast with those of another character, highlighting particular traits of the other character.

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What is an archetype?

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An archetype is a typical example of a character, theme, or situation that recurs throughout literature and is universally recognized.

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What is a dystopia?

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A dystopia is an imagined society characterized by human misery, often under totalitarian rule or environmental disaster.

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What is dark comedy?

Back

Dark comedy is a genre that blends elements of humor with serious, often morbid themes, creating a satirical perspective on grim subjects.

Front

What is denotation?

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Denotation is the literal or primary meaning of a word, without any emotional associations.

Front

What is the purpose of a protagonist?

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The protagonist is the main character in a story, often facing challenges and driving the plot forward.

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What is a theme in literature?

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A theme is the central idea or underlying message in a literary work, often reflecting on human experiences.

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What is symbolism?

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Symbolism is the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities, giving deeper meaning to objects, characters, or events.

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What is a metaphor?

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A metaphor is a figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unlike things, suggesting they are alike in some way.