Issues In Literature In Values And Culture

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Stipulative Definition

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A definition specified for a particular context (e.g., for a debate, discussion, contract, or course).

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Fable

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A story that teaches a moral lesson, often with animals or inanimate objects as characters.
(ex. the fox and the grapes/the boy who cried wolf)

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Fairy Tale

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A story usually for children, about elves, dragons, fairies, or other magical creatures
(ex. sleeping beauty/ the princess and the pea)

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Cautionary Tale

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A story that embodies a warning, usually against something considered socially undesirable
(ex. little red cap/snow white and the 7 dwarfs)

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Proverb

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A short pithy saying in general use, often of unknown and ancient origin, containing words of advice, warning, or wisdom. It is an aphorism that is well known in a particular culture of community. (ex.Haste makes waste. /Look before you leap.)

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Technical Definition

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A definition stipulated within a particular specialty or discipline- which may differ from the everyday meaning of the same word, e.g., myth in this course

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Genre

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A type of text, utterance, image, etc. that constitutes a socially standard way of fulfilling purposes/functions in a particular type of situation. Genres are structures that embody strategies, imply subject positions, create expectation, invoke situations.

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Myth

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A traditional story that fundamentally embodies aspects of the world view of a people, e.g., by explaining aspects of the natural world or delineating customs, desirable attitudes, values, ideals, and the like. Such a story reflects and reinforces social values and perspectives, thus bringing people close into community by leading them to share similar beliefs and attitudes, as well as symbolically resolving social tensions and helping individuals understand their social roles. (ex. the lochness monster/Joan or Arc)

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Icon

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An image that has a culturally standard meaning, e.g., an image of Albert Einstein is an icon because he signifies genius, an image of a Mountie is an icon because it signifies Canada

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Ideology

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A set of ideas and orientation that characterizes the thinking of a group (Ex. Marxism/ philosophy)

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Mythic Icon

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Reflects and reinforces social values and perspectives, thus bringing people close into comunity by leading them to share similar beliefs and attitudes as well as symbolically resolving social tensions and helping individuals understand their social roles. (Ex. a dove/ King Arthur)

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Hegemony

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An ideology embodying explanations, attitudes, and/or values that serve the interests of a social elite or dominant group by leading others to act in ways contrary to their own real interests- or more broadly, an ideology that serves the interests of any sub-group withing a society. (ex. president/religious leader)

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Irony

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A statement or action that embodies two or more contrary propositions, such that what is actually meant is contrary of what is said (e.g., sarcasm/Satire)

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Dramatic Irony

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Created when the audience is aware of an ironic double meaning, but the character is not. (ex. Oedipus the King/Hamlet)

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Foreshadowing

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An action, image, or statement that , in a small way, anticipates and thus prepares one for a more significant action or statement which comes later. (ex. Romeo and Juliet/Omens)

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Foil

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A character who, by comparison/contrast highlights particular features of another character.(ex. Hamlet vs. Laertes, A dog vs. a cat)

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Ritual

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Repeated actions that give order, guidance, and stability to a community, or, create community via shared experiences and values, offer resolution to social problems/contradictions. Often ritual reinforces vales and actions favoured by a particular religion or social institution.

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Catharsis

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Emotional purge (ex. tragedy/penance)

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Tragedy

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A serious play that evokes a catharsis of pity, fear and similar emotions (ex. Othello/Macbeth)

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Hubris

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Excessive pride, beyond one's status in society and/or ability. (Victor in Frankenstein/ Oedipus when he killed his father)

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Hamartia

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Personality trait, often associated with hubris, that contributes to creating perpetia and catastrophe. Tragic flaw. (ex. Oedipus trying to prevent the prophecy/Macbeth's ambition)

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Peripetia

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turning point (down) (ex. Messenger brings Oedipus news of his parentage/ Hamlet sees King Claudius praying alone and doesn't kill him)

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Catastrophe

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downfall (ex. war/hurricanes)