Analyzing Literary Texts Flashcards

A story begins in the middle of a battlefield battle, then uses flashbacks to explain how the characters arrived there. This opening technique is called:

Answer: In medias res

In medias res is a Latin term for beginning a narrative in the middle of the action rather than at the chronological start.

Which of the following best describes 'tone' in a literary text?

Answer: The author's attitude toward the subject or audience as conveyed through word choice

Tone reflects the author's attitude—such as sarcastic, solemn, or celebratory—expressed through diction and style.

In a novel, a minor character named Solomon consistently offers wise, unheeded advice to the protagonist. Solomon is best described as a:

Answer: Archetypal mentor figure

The wise mentor is a classic archetype found across literature and myth, embodying guidance that the hero often ignores.

A character says, 'Oh great, another Monday,' in a tone that makes it clear she hates Mondays. This is an example of:

Answer: Verbal irony

Verbal irony occurs when a speaker says the opposite of what they actually mean.

Which of the following phrases from a poem uses assonance?

Answer: The cat sat on the flat mat

Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds within nearby words; 'cat,' 'sat,' 'flat,' and 'mat' all share the short 'a' sound.

A novel's central conflict is a character's internal struggle between ambition and loyalty. This type of conflict is best labeled:

Answer: Character vs. self

Character vs. self conflict involves an internal psychological or moral struggle within a single character.

When analyzing the theme of a literary text, which of the following is MOST appropriate to examine?

Answer: The recurring ideas or universal messages suggested by the narrative

Theme is the central, universal message or insight about human experience that a literary work conveys.