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Literary Terms
Literary Terms
39
English
11th Grade
01/10/2010

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Term
MYTH
Definition
a myth is 'a story handed down through history, often through oral tradition, that explains or gives value to the unknown'.
Term
TRAGEDY
Definition
REFERS TO A DRAMA WHERE THE MAIN CHARACTER DIES OR COMES TO A TRAGIC END
Term
PLAYWRIGHT
Definition
AUTHOR OF A DRAMA
Term
DIALOGUE
Definition
MANY PEOPLE TALKING
Term
ASIDE
Definition
CHARACTER ON STAGE MAKES A COMMENT THAT NOT EVERYONE ON STAGE HEARS
Term
SOLILOQUY
Definition
A CHARACTER ALONE ON STAGE REVEALS HIS THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS
Term
STATIC CHARACTER
Definition
A CHARACTER THAT STAYS THE SAME
Term
FLAT CHARACTER
Definition
CHARACTER WITH ONE OR TWO TRAITS
Term
ROUND CHARACTER
Definition
A CHARACTER WITH A LOT OF TRAITS
Term
DYNAMIC CHARACTER
Definition
A CHARACTER THAT CHANGES THROUGHOUT THE PLAY
Term
STOCK CHARACTER
Definition
STEREOTYPE OR CLICHE CHARACTER
Term
DIRECT CHARACTERIZATION
Definition
TELLS THE AUDIENCE EXACTLY WHAT THE CHARACTER IS
Term
INDIRECT CHARACTERIZATION
Definition
WE LEARN ABOUT THE CHARCTER THROUGH THEIR ACTIONS WITHOUT BEING DIRECTLY TOLD
Term
VERBAL IRONY
Definition
TO SAY ONE THING BUT MEAN ANOTHER
Term
SITUATIONAL IRONY
Definition
WHEN WHAT THE AUDIENCE EXPECTS TO HAPPEN AND WHAT ACTUALLY DOES HAPPEN ARE NOT THE SAME
Term
DRAMATIC IRONY
Definition
AUDIENCE KNOWS SOMETHING THAT THE OTHER CHARACTERS DO NOT
Term
STAGE DIRECTIONS
Definition
LOCATED IN ( ) AND TELL THE CHARACTERS HOW TO ACT ON STAGE
Term
FOIL CHARACTER
Definition
A CHARACTER WHO SHOWS US ABOUT ANOTHER CHARACTER
Term
ACT
Definition
MAJOR SECTION OF A PLAY
Term
SCENE
Definition
SUBDIVISION OF AN ACT USUALLY WHEN THE SETTING CHANGES
Term
CURTAIN
Definition
SIGNALS THE END OF A SCENE
Term
COMMUNISM
Definition
  • a form of socialism that abolishes private ownership
  • a political theory favoring collectivism in a classless society
  • Term
    HYPERBOLE
    Definition
    A GREAT EXAGGERATION
    Term
    PERSONIFICATION
    Definition
    GIVING AN ANIMAL OR SOMETHING NOT ALIVE HUMAN CHARACTERISTICS
    Term
    OMNIPOTENT
    Definition
    ALL POWERFUL
    Term
    ORATORY
    Definition
    A SPEECH
    Term
    Reverend Parris' black slave from Barbados. She genuinely cares about the girls, especially Betty
    Definition
    TITUBA
    Term
    Orphaned niece of Reverend Parris.  She was once the lover of John Proctor but was turned out when his wife discovered the affair.  She is extremely jealous of Elizabeth Proctor and uses her power in the town to rid herself of Elizabeth as well as any others who have insulted her in the past.  She cannot let go of her obsession with Proctor.  She is the leader of the girls.
    Definition
    ABIGAIL
    Term
    Servant to the Proctor household.  Abigail uses her to effectively accuse Elizabeth.
    Definition
    MARY WARREN 
    Term
    Husband to Elizabeth.  He had an affair with Abigail when she was employed in his household.  He knows that the girls are pretending but cannot tell what he knows without revealing having been alone with Abigail. When Abigail uses her influence to convict his wife, he tries to tell the truth and finds himself condemned.  He refuses to admit to witchcraft or to consider Abigail as anything more than a lying whore. He is hanged.
    Definition
    JOHN PROCTOR
    Term
    Wife of John Proctor.  She discovered an affair going on between her husband and Abigail Williams and turned Abigail out of her house.  She is Abigail's main target but is saved from hanging because of her pregnancy.  She feels responsible for driving her husband to infidelity.  When he decides that he will not lie to save himself, she supports his decision though it will leave her alone.  She feels that if he must redeem himself in this way, she cannot take it from him. 
    Definition
    ELIZABETH PROCTOR
    Term
    Pastor of the church in Salem.  He is the father of Betty and the uncle of Abigail Williams.  He believes that he is being persecuted and that the townspeople do not respect his position as a man of God.  He secures his desires in the town by preaching fire and brimstone until the people give in. 
    Definition
    REVEREND PARRIS 
    Term
    Daughter of the Reverend, cousin to Abigail Williams.  She is a weak girl who goes along with her cousin as soon as she is threatened. Until Abigail gives her a valid explanation for dancing in the woods, she lies mute in her bed, terrified of her father's reaction.  She is easily made into Abigail's tool
    Definition
    BETTY PARRIS
    Term
    He is considered to be, and considers himself, an expert on witchcraft.  He is initially summoned to determine whether the devil is in Salem and enthusiastically participates in the court proceedings.  When he finally realizes that the girls are lying, it is too late to change the course of action.  He attempts to convince the condemned to admit to witchcraft and save themselves from death.
    Definition
    REVEREND HALE
    Term
    Wife of Thomas Putnam, mother to Ruth.  She is a very superstitious woman and believes that the deaths of so many of her babies in childbirth was caused by supernatural means.  She sends her daughter to Tituba to cast a spell to discover the murderer
    Definition
    ANN PUTNAM
    Term
     Husband to Martha.  He inadvertently gives out information that is later used against his wife.  He accuses Thomas Putnam of using Ruth to condemn people for his personal gain.  Realizing his source will be arrested, he refuses to reveal it feeling that he has done too much damage already. He is arrested for contempt of court.  He is eventually pressed to death when he refuses to enter a plea (pleading guilty or being convicted would mean forfeiture of his land, leaving his sons with no inheritance). 
    Definition
    GILES COREY 
    Term
    AUTHOR OF THE CRUCIBLE
    Definition
    ARTHUR MILLER
    Term
    SETTING OF THE CRUCIBLE
    Definition
    SALEM MASSACHUSETTS
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