ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THESE LITERARY TERMS?
Absurd, Theatre of the Absurd-A style of writing that mirrors the confusion, illogicality, inharmony of the 21st Century world as reflected on the stage with caricature-like characters and disjointed plot.E.g, Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot .
Accent-The effect of the emphasis placed on a syllable in a word.
Auditory imagery- Figurative way of appealing to one’s sense of hearing in a poem.Eg. The voice like the rough flow of huge waterfalls.
Aesthetics-The philosophy of taste or appreciation of beauty.
Alienation Effect-Is the effect in a play intended to remind the spectators that what being watched on stage is not real.
Allegory-is a device in which characters or events represent or symbolize ideas and concepts. A reason for this is that allegory has an immense power of illustrating complex ideas and concepts in a practical and concrete way. This device is common in Christian religious literature where Satan symbolizes evil and God symbolizes good.E.g Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan
Alliteration-Repetition of the same initial consonant sound.E.g. Around the house the flakes fly faster.
Allusion-Referring to characters and events in mythology (classical allusion), history (classical allusion), bible (biblical allusion).Eg.Bowing ‘New Sabbath’ or ‘Mount Ephraim’. (Biblical allusion)
Alternate rhyme-When the end of two lines are alternated, usually in abab, rhyme scheme pattern.
Ambiguity-A style of giving double interpretation to a word.
Anachronism-A mistake in dating or timing or placing an event in wrong historical setting.Eg.Imagine a reference to a computer in a Shakespearean play!
Analogy-A comparison not necessarily using simile or metaphor.Eg.There is an analogy of the morally loose lifestyle of the Romans and Americans of today.
Anti climax-A false climax or weak repetition with the objective of extending or stretching excitement.
Antagonist-character in conflict with hero: a major character in a book, play, or movie whose values or behaviour are in conflict with those of the protagonist or hero.
Aphorism-A solemn, concise observation or statement.Eg power is mightier than the sword.
Apostrophe –An address or appeal to a person or inanimate object that is incapable of replying.E.g.Thou sun, why thou smite me?
Art for Art’s sake-The belief that a work of art be judged solely for its aesthetic value rather than for any economic interest.
Aside-A long speech where a character expresses his thoughts aloud on stage with other characters present, but could not hear him.
Autobiography-An account of one’s life written by oneself as distinct from Biography (written by another person).
Assonance-Repetition of vowel sounds, especially when found between words and syllables.Eg. Wet is the pet of the rent.
Augustan-Having to do with the period, early part of 19th century, when writers attempt to copy and imitate the grandeur associated with the reign of Augustus Ceasar.

Why nt tag it literal lectures on literal terms!


Besides am quite handy wiv em' anachronism really redates my memory!

Thank u sir

Its been long since i checked waiting for godot.