Hamlit Final Study Guide

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Elements of Romanticism:

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imagination/feeling/wild nature over reason/logic/planning and development
influenced literature, painting and music in the 19th century Europe
poetry was the highest representation of imagination
first/most common of American romanticism was the novel

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Elements of Transcendentalism: (Borrowed from Romanticism)

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supports freedoms and individualism
poetry is superior to science
trust is reached through intuition, not logic and reason
each person is (by birth) good and capable of making rational decisions
act according to our inner most beliefs
nature as a doorway to a “mystic world holding important truths”
God is an aspect of nature
Evil: social conformity, materialism, science (rationalism)
improve public freedom/end slavery/the status of women/social reforms/improvements

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Elements of Gothic Literature:

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setting
horror
supernatural
death
mystery

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Connotation:

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Connotations are the associations people make with words that go being the literal or dictionary definition. Many words have connotations that create emotions or feelings in the reader.

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Denotation:

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Denotation refers to the use of the dictionary definition or literal meaning of a word.

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Juxtaposition:

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In literature, juxtaposition is a literary device wherein the author places a person, concept, place, idea or theme parallel to another. The purpose of juxtaposing two directly/indirectly related entities close together in literature is to highlight the contrast between the two and compare them. This literary device is usually used for etching out a character in detail, creating suspense or lending a rhetorical effect.

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Symbolism:

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A symbol is literary device that contains several layers of meaning, often concealed at first sight, and is representative of several other aspects/ concepts/ traits than those that are visible in the literal translation alone. Symbol is using an object or action that means something more than its literal meaning.

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Motif:

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The literary device ‘motif’ is any element, subject, idea or concept that is constantly present through the entire body of literature. Using a motif refers to the repetition of a specific theme dominating the literary work. Motifs are very noticeable and play a significant role in defining the nature of the story, the course of events and the very fabric of the literary piece.

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Allegory:

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An allegory is a symbolism device where the meaning of a greater, often abstract, concept is conveyed with the aid of a more corporeal object or idea being used as an example. Usually a rhetoric device, an allegory suggests a meaning via metaphoric examples.

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Types of Irony:

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verbal
dramatic
socrative
situation

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verbal irony:

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simply an inversion of meaning...you say one thing but mean the opposite

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dramatic irony:

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when the words or acts of a character carry a meaning unperceived by himself but understood by the audience

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socrative irony:

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feigning ignorance to achieve some advantage over an opponent...Ex: socrates pretended ignorance of a subject in order to draw knowledge out of his students by a question and answer device

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situational irony:

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depends on a discrepancy between purpose and results...Ex: a practical joke that backfires is situational irony

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Foreshadowing:

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The literary device foreshadowing refers to the use of indicative words/phrases and hints that set the stage for a story to unfold and give the reader a hint of something that is going to happen without revealing the story or spoiling the suspense. Foreshadowing is used to suggest an upcoming outcome to the story.

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Metaphors:

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Metaphors are one of the most extensively used literary devices. A metaphor refers to a meaning or identity ascribed to one subject by way of another. In a metaphor, one subject is implied to be another so as to draw a comparison between their similarities and shared traits. The first subject, which/who is the focus of the sentences is usually compared to the second subject, which is used to convey/carry a degree of meaning that is used to characterize the first. The purpose of using a metaphor is to take an identity or concept that we understand clearly (second subject) and use it to better understand the lesser-knownelement (the first subject).

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Simile:

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Similes are one of the most commonly used literary devices; referring to the practice of drawing parallels or comparisons between two unrelated and dissimilar things, people, beings, places and concepts. By using similes a greater degree of meaning and understanding is attached to an otherwise simple sentence. The reader is able to better understand the sentiment the author wishes to convey. Similes are marked by the use of the words ‘as’ or ‘such as’ or ‘like’.

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Personification:

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Personification is one of the most commonly used and recognized literary devices. It refers to the practice of attaching human traits and characteristics with inanimate objects, phenomena and animals.

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Paradox:

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A paradox in literature refers to the use of concepts/ ideas that are contradictory to one another, yet, when placed together they hold significant value on several levels. The uniqueness of paradoxes lies in the fact that a deeper level of meaning and significance is not revealed at first glace, but when it does crystallize, it provides astonishing insight.

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Point of View:

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In literature, the ‘point of view’ is a literary device that depicts the manner in which a story is narrated/ depicted and who it is that tells the story. Simply put, the point of view determines the angle and perception of the story unfolding, and thus influences the tone in which the story takes place. The point of view is instrumental in manipulating the reader’s understanding of the narrative. In a way, the point of view can allow or withhold the reader access into the greater reaches of the story. Two of the most common point of view techniques are the first person, wherein the story is told by the narrator from his/ her standpoint and the third person wherein the narrator does not figure in the events of the story and tells the story by referring to all characters and places in the third person with third person pronouns and proper nouns.

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Satire:

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The use of satire in literature refers to the practice of making fun of a human weakness or character flaw. The use of satire is often inclusive of a need or decision of correcting or bettering the character that is on the receiving end of the satire. In general, even though satire might be humorous and may “make fun”, its purpose is not to entertain and amuse but actually to derive a reaction of contempt from the reader.

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Imagery:

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In literature, one of the strongest devices is imagery wherein the author uses words and phrases to create “mental images” for the reader. Imagery helps the reader to visualize and therein more realistically experience the author’s writings. The usage of metaphors, allusions, descriptive words and similes amongst other literary forms in order to “tickle” and awaken the readers’ sensory perceptions is referred to as imagery. Imagery is not limited to only visual sensations, but also refers to igniting kinesthetic, olfactory, tactile, gustatory, thermal and auditory sensations as well.

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Static Characters:

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a literary or dramatic character who undergoes little or no inner change; a character who does not grow or develop.

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Dynamic Characters:

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a literary or dramatic character who undergoes an important inner change, as a change in personality or attitude

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Unreliable Narrator:

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not able to be relied upon.

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Dispassionate:

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free from or unaffected by passion

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Flippant:

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Shallow or lacking seriousness; characterized by levity

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Sardonic:

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Characterized by bitter or scornful derision; mocking, cynical

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Ominous:

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Portending evil or harm; forbodding; threatening

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Laudable:

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Deserving praise; praiseworthy

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Indignant:

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Feeling, characterized by, or expressing strong displeasure at something considered offensive

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Condescending:

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Showing or implying a usually patronizing descent from dignity or superiority

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Ineffable:

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Incapable of being expressed or described in words.

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Whimsical:

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Given to whimsy or fancied notions

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Erratic:

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unpredictable

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Satirical:

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Of pertaining to, containing, or characterized by satire.

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Speculative:

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A conclusion or opinion reached by such contemplation; consideration. ALso, based on guesses or ideas about what might happen or be true than than on fact; tending to think about what might happen or be true; tending to speculate; showing curiosity or uncertainty.

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Retribution:

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A punishment that is considered to be morally right and fully deserved
Ambivalence: The state of having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone. Also, the coexistence of opposing attitudes or feelings, such as love and hate or attraction and repulsion toward a person, object or idea

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Contemptuous:

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Feeling something is beneath you, not worth it, worthless, scornful

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Titles:

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quotation marks or italics

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Run-ons:

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A run-on sentence is two sentences (two independent clauses) joined without correct punctuation or a conjunction.

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Fragments:

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A sentence fragment fails to be a sentence in the sense that it cannot stand by itself. It does not contain even one independent clause

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Citations:

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“ ” (last name page number).

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Supercilious

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excessive self-esteem, superiority, arrogance

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Incredulous

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unable or unwilling to believe something

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Peremptorily

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being assertive, not allowing contradiction to what you’re saying. Imperative or commanding matter

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Poignant

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emotionally touching or moving; distress; regret

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Asunder

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apart, divided

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Punctilious

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precise, demanding, careful, conscientious

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Bootlegger

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to unlawfully deal in liquor and other goods

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Conceits

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imagination, whim, wit, a fancy

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Menagerie

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an unusual and varied group of people, collection of wild or unused animals, esp. for exhibition

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Expostulate

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dispute, argue, protest

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Elocution

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a person’s manner of speaking or reading aloud in public

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Addenda

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a list of things to be added

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Unscrupulous

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unprincipled, not punctilious, not precise

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Redolent

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odorous or smelling, fragrant, suggestive, reminiscent