Literary Terms Quiz

What does the term 'allegory' refer to in literature?

• The dictionary meaning of a word

• A reference to something in history or previous literature

• A narrative or description having a second meaning beneath the surface one

• The emotional release experienced by the audience at the end of a tragedy

What is an 'antagonist' in a story?

• The main character who undergoes change

• The force that is in conflict with the protagonist

• A character who does not change

• The high point in a plot

What is meant by 'artistic unity' in a story?

• The repetition of vowel sounds in accented syllables

• The associations that attach to many words

• Everything in the story works to contribute to the meaning; there is nothing irrelevant

• The struggle between opposing forces

Which type of character is described as complex and multi-sided?

• Static character

• Flat character

• Round character

• Developing character

What is the term used by Aristotle to describe some sort of emotional release experienced by the audience at the end of a successful tragedy?

• Climax

• Denotation

• Dilemma

• Catharsis

What is the 'climax' of a story?

• The dictionary meaning of a word

• The turning point or high point in a plot

• The final outcome of a plot's conflicts

• The emotional release experienced by the audience

What does 'denotation' refer to?

• The emotional release experienced by the audience

• The dictionary meaning of a word

• The associations that attach to many words

• The final outcome of a plot's conflicts

What is a 'dilemma' in the context of a story?

• A character who does not change

• A situation in which a character must choose between two courses of action, both undesirable

• The repetition of vowel sounds in accented syllables

• The turning point or high point in a plot

What term describes a moment of insight in which something simple and commonplace is seen in a new way?

• Foreshadowing

• Frame tale

• Epiphany

• Imagery

What is a 'foil' in literature?

• A character whose traits are the opposite of another and who points up the strengths and weaknesses of the other character

• A story within a story

• Early clues about what will happen later in a story

• Passages or words that stir feelings or memories through an appeal to the senses