Literary Terms

“The Gift of the Magi”

Allusion (not to be confused with “illusion!”)

A brief reference to a person, place, thing, or event that is familiar to most people. History, literature, the Bible, mythology, ancient and modern cultures, and current events are rich sources of allusions.

Allusion Examples

Christy didn't like to spend money. She was no Scrooge, but she seldom purchased anything except the bare necessities.

“ The Gift of the Magi”

Magi=3 wise men “The Simpsons” TV episodes

have many allusions...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZGIn9bpALo

Verbal irony

Saying the opposite of what is actually meant

– Example: Brussels sprouts are my favorite food!

– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmSBrmgdKts

Irony of tone

When verbal irony is extended throughout an entire work in which an author expresses an attitude opposite to what he feels

Example, taken from The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger: If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you'll probably want to know is where I was born, and what my lousy childhood was like, and how my parents were occupied and all before they had me, and all that David Copperfield kind of crap, but I don't feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth. 

Irony of situation

When events turn out differently from what is expected to happen (or seems appropriate)

– Example: Jim and Della in “The Gift of the Magi,” do not expect their plans to be thwarted.

Dramatic irony

The audience knows something the character does not know; knowledge is being withheld from the character

Dramatic Irony Example

Macbeth by William Shakespeare. Macbeth plans the murder of Duncan whilst feigning loyalty. Duncan does not know of Macbeth’s plans but the audience does.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGlc_iz3OwE

Mood

The dominant emotion/feeling that the reader takes from the story. (A certain mood usually creates a certain atmosphere).

Description, word choices/language, and tone of author contribute to the mood.

Genre

A kind or category of:– Literature– Music– TV shows– Art

FOUR MAIN GENRES OF LITERATURE– Drama– Poetry– Non-Fiction– Fiction

Non-Fiction

Literary works that are factual in their content.

Non-fiction= NOT FAKE – Examples: Essays, biographies, autobiographies,

speeches or editorials, histories, memoirs

Fiction

Literary works that are comprised of imaginative narration. (Fiction=fake)– Examples: Science fiction, romance, horror,

action-adventure, mystery, slice of life/realistic, western, fantasy, detective

Characterization

The method(s) the author uses to acquaint the reader with his characters.

DirectCharacterization

The author tells directly what the character is like.– The author describes the character’s physical

appearance– The author makes a direct statement about the

character’s personality.

Direct Characterization Example

“Little Chuck Little was…a born gentleman” (Lee 26).

IndirectCharacterization

The reader draws his own conclusions about what a character is like.– Character’s own actions (mannerisms)– Character’s own speech– Character’s own inner thoughts and feelings– Opinions and reactions of other characters toward

this individual– Details of setting which reflect influence from the

character

Indirect Characterization Example

“Mrs. Radley seldom if ever crossed the street for a mid-morning coffee break with her neighbors, and certainly never joined a missionary circle” (Lee 9). This quote tells us she keeps to herself and probably has few, if any, friends.

BERT AND ERNIE:

HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=O2VFGHGKZX4

Mickey and Minnie:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xF23vQ8YXbQ

Allusions to “The Gift of the Magi”