Literary Text Analysis Flashcards

A story's protagonist faces an internal conflict about whether to tell the truth and face consequences or lie to protect a friend. This type of conflict is BEST described as:

Answer: Character vs. self

An internal conflict — a character struggling with their own choices, beliefs, or values — is character vs. self conflict.

An author includes a scene where a character discovers an old photograph that triggers memories of their childhood. This technique of going back in time is called:

Answer: Flashback

A flashback is a narrative technique that interrupts the present story to show events from the past, triggered here by the discovery of the old photograph.

A poem describes a raging river using words like 'furious,' 'hungry,' and 'devours.' What literary device is being used?

Answer: Personification

Giving the river human emotions and actions ('furious,' 'hungry,' 'devours') is personification — applying human characteristics to a non-human thing.

At the end of a short story, after the climax, tensions decrease and loose ends are tied up. This part of the plot structure is called:

Answer: Falling action and resolution

After the climax, falling action shows the results of the climax, and the resolution (denouement) ties up loose ends. Together they conclude the story.

A student reads two versions of the Cinderella story — one from France, one from China. Both have a poor girl, magical help, and a grand event where she meets a prince/emperor. What does comparing these stories reveal?

Answer: Certain universal themes and story patterns appear across different cultures

Common plot patterns and themes across cultures (like the Cinderella archetype) show that certain universal human experiences and values appear in stories worldwide.

An author writes a story where a lonely character watches raindrops race down a window. The author describes the rain as 'weeping' and 'mournful.' What technique is the author using, and what effect does it create?

Answer: Pathetic fallacy; the weather reflects and amplifies the character's emotional state

Pathetic fallacy is the technique of giving human emotions to natural elements (rain 'weeping,' 'mournful') so the environment reflects the character's inner state.