English 9Mrs. Heitman

Midterm Exam Review Packet 2014

Name

Literary ElementsPlot A sequence of events in a

literary work Setting Where/when and the time a

story takes placeNarrator The person or character

telling the story.Third person Omniscient

narration/First personCharacter(ization

)The act of creating or developing a character

Protagonist The main character or hero in a literary work.

Antagonist The character or force that opposes the protagonist. -Villain

ConflictInternal

A character is dealing with his/her own feelings. Struggle

that takes place in the character’s mind.

Conflict:External

A struggle between a character and an outside

force.Ex: man vs. man

Man vs. environment Foreshadowing Hints or clues used to suggest

what is to come in a literary

work. Quotes/eventsCan be quotes/events.

Climax The highest point or the turning point of the story.

Theme Main idea or central message in a literary work.

Ex. Loss of innocence is inevitable.

Lack of communication leads to tragedy.

Irony When the opposite of what is expected happens.

Metaphor Comparison between 2 things not using the words like or asEx. The cup of hot tea was the

best medicine for my cold.Simile Comparison between 2 things

using the words like or asEx. The ice was as smooth as

glass before the skaters entered the rink.

Alliteration Repetition of beginning consonant sounds.

Ex: Big blue waves bounced against the bow of the boat

Imagery Writing with heavy description that appeals to thesenses. The reader can almost see, smell, hear, touch or feel what is being written about.

hyperbole Extreme exaggeration. Ex. “My shoes are killing me.”

Personification Giving human qualities to inanimate objects. Ex. The trees danced in the wind.

Symbolism A concrete item is used to represent an abstract idea.

Point of view Perspective from which a literary work is told.

Round character A character with many traits.

Flat character A character with very few traits.

Static character A character that stays the same (displays no change) from beginning to end of a story.

Stock character A stereotypical flat character. Ex. Rick Sanford (From

ANGUS) is a typical, jock, football player.

Dynamic character

A character that undergoes a serious change/revelation from beginning to end of a

literary work

Vocabulary (that will be in your test!!)

Study the following words:

Futile: adj. useless; hopeless; incapable of producing any useful result; pointless Ex. a futile attempt to keep fans from mounting the stage.

Scruples: noun- misgivings about something one feels as wrongEx. She has scruples about stealing, because she has had sentimental things stolen from her.

Avarice: noun- greed for riches or wealth; (avaricious- adj.- greedy) Ex. The doctor in The Pearl has avarice and it makes him cold-hearted.

Coagulate : verb-(of a fluid, esp. blood) change to a solid or semisolid state : blood had coagulated around the edges of the wound.• [ trans. ] cause (a fluid) to change to a solid or semisolid state : epinephrine coagulates the blood.

Perplexed : verb- (often be perplexed)

(of something complicated or unaccountable) cause (someone) to feel completely baffled : Ex. she was perplexed by her husband's moodiness

lethargic: adj. abnormally drowsy; affected by lethargy; sluggish and apathetic : Ex. I felt tired and a little lethargic.

Indolently: adv. lazily or idly; wanting to avoid activity or exertion; lazy Ex. He was lying indolently in the hammock.

Poultice: noun – a soft, moist mass of material, typically of plant material or flour, applied to the body to relieve soreness and inflammation and kept in place with a cloth Ex. Juana places a poultice on Coyotito’s wound on his shoulder.

Profound: adj.1 (of a state, quality, or emotion) very great or intense; deep very severe; deep-seated Ex. profound social changes | profound feelings of disquiet.

Ceaseless: adj. continual, non-stopping Ex: the ceaseless barking of dogs

Zealous: adj. having or showing great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective Ex. the council was extremely zealous in the application of the regulations.

Naïve: adj. (of a person or action) showing a lack of experience, wisdom, or judgment : Ex. the rather naive young man had been totally misled.

Comparable: adj. ( similar; of a person or thing) able to be likened to another; Ex. The two televisions were comparable in quality and price

Loathsome: adj. causing hatred or disgust; repulsive : Ex. this

loathsome little swine.

meticulous: adjective -showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise Ex. He had always been so meticulous about his appearance.

morose: adjective- sullen (gloomy) and ill-tempered.

derogatory: adj. showing a critical or disrespectful attitude insulting, disparaging or detracting Ex.: she tells me I'm fat and is always making derogatory remarks.

ominous: adj. giving the impression that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen; threatening Ex. there were ominous dark clouds gathering overhead.

furtive: adj. attempting to avoid notice or attention, typically because of guilt or a belief that discovery would lead to trouble; secretive : they spent a furtive day together | he stole a furtive glance at her.

accost: verb approach and address (someone) boldly or aggressively :Ex. reporters accosted him in the street.• approach (someone) with hostility or harmful intent :Ex. he was accosted by a thief, demanding his money or his life.• approach and address (someone) with sexual intent : Ex. a man tried to accost the girl on her way to school.

afflict: verb (of a problem or illness) cause pain or suffering to; affect or trouble :Ex. serious ills afflict the industry | his younger child was afflicted with a skin disease

reluctant: adj. -unwilling and hesitant; disinclined : Ex. she seemed reluctant to discuss the matter.

Placid: adj. • (esp. of a place or stretch of water) calm and peaceful, with little movement or activity : Ex. the placid waters of a small lake.(of a person or animal) not easily upset or excited : Ex. this horse has a placid nature.

contemplate: verb-• think about : Ex. the results of a trade war are too horrifying to contemplate. look thoughtfully for a long time at : Ex. he sat on the carpet contemplating his image in the mirrors.

sullen: adj.-bad-tempered and sulky; gloomy : Ex. a sullen pout | figurative a sullen sunless sky

embrace: verb-hold (someone) closely in one's arms, esp. as a sign of affection : Aunt Sophie embraced her warmly | [ intrans. ] the two embraced, holding each other tightly.• accept or support (a belief, theory, or change) willingly and enthusiastically : much of the population quickly embraced the GO GREEN initiative.

abrupt: adj. 1 sudden and unexpected : I was surprised by the abrupt change of subject | our round of golf came to an abrupt end on the 13th hole.2 brief to the point of rudeness; curt

dejected adj. sad and depressed; dispirited : Ex. he stood in the

street looking dejected

recount: verb-tell someone about something; give an account of an event or experience : Ex. I recounted the tale to Steve | [with clause ] he recounts how they often talked of politics.

diverge: verb-1 (of a road, route, or line) separate from another route, esp. a main one, and go in a different direction.• develop in a different direction : Ex. howler and spider monkeys diverged from a common ancestor.

subside: verb-1 become less intense, violent, or severe :Ex. I'll wait a few minutes until the storm subsides.• lapse into silence or inactivity : Ex. Fred opened his mouth to protest again, then subsided.

amicable: adj.(of relations between people) having a spirit of friendliness; without serious disagreement or rancor : Ex. there will be an amicable settlement of the dispute.

retribution: noun- reward for a good deed or punishment that is considered to be morally right and fully deserved : settlers drove the Navajo out of Arizona in retribution for their raids.

imperative: adj. 1 of vital importance; crucial : Ex. immediate action was imperative | [with clause ] it is imperative that standards be maintained.2 giving an authoritative command; peremptory : Ex. the bell pealed again, a final imperative call.

The Pearlby John Steinbeck

Genre Novella, fictionSetting Gulf of Mexico, Town of La Paz

Plot (3-5 Sentences)

Kino and Juana live a simple, yet content life. A scorpion stings their son, Coyotito. They are rejected by the doctor when they seek medical

attention. They hope to find a pearl,

so that the doctor can treat their son. Kino finds the pearl of the world and

assumes that all of his hopes and dreams will come true. Instead, greed

takes over and they lose all that is important to them.

Conflicts

Internal

And External

Man vs. Nature- Coyotito vs. the scorpion

Man vs. Man-Kino vs. the doctorKino vs. greed

Protagonist and

Description of

Protagonist

Kino-poor, yet has everything he “needs.” Once he finds the pearl- he is

changed. He assumes the pearl will change his life for the better, but it

destroys his life.

Antagonist The doctor, greed, the trackers.

Secondary Characters

and

Juana- strong, brave, simple, faithful. She is the first to see the pearl as evil.

Descriptions

ClimaxKino attacks the trackers and while killing them, one fires his rifle and

shoots Coyotito.

Resolution Kino and Juana walk back to their town with their dead son and throw the

pearl back into the sea together.

Themes Greed has utter/dire consequences.

Of Mice and Menby John Steinbeck

Genre Fiction, novellaSetting A ranch in Salinas, California

Plot (3-5 Sentences)

George and Lennie are migrant workers and they start working at a ranch after they are run out of town (from a different job.) Lennie has a

fetish for touching soft things. Lennie is a huge man unaware of his own

strength. George historically protects Lennie by running away from the

trouble he causes. Lennie kills mice, a puppy, and later Curley’s wife.

George learns that he can no longer run from Lennie’s problems, and he knows that he cannot allow him to

suffer at the hands of Curley’s revenge. George must shoot Lennie in

order to protect him.Conflicts

Internal

And External

Man vs. himselfLennie vs. his lack of understanding of

his own strength.Man vs. Man- Candy vs. Carlson--

(dog shooting/suffering)Man vs. Man – Lennie vs. CurleyMan vs. himself- George struggles

with the reality that he must kill Lennie in order to protect him.

Protagonist and

Description of

Protagonist

George- takes care of Lennie (his master). George has been successful

at running away from Lennie’s problems. He loves having his

companionship, and fear loneliness.

Antagonist Lennie’s lack of understanding of the magnitude of his own strength.

Curley- picks fights with big guys.Secondary Characters

and Descriptions

Candy- old swamper, wants to join George and Lennie on their future

land. Carlson- wants Candy’s dog dead because he is old, suffering and

STINKS.Curley- pugnacious, scrappy, has

“Little-Man Syndrome.”Slim-the jerkline skinner, the voice of

authority on the ranch. The ONLY one who understands George and

Lennie.

ClimaxLennie kills Curley’s wife and goes to seek refuge in the brush. Curley and

the guys hunt him.

Resolution George kills Lennie and he is now lonely, yet “free.”

Themes The effects of loneliness vs. the benefits of companionship.