Lit Terms
Allyson Suria, Raquel Mejia, Farjana Pireya,
Bethany Solano
Drama
A major literary form that presents characters directly to
the audience, usually without the intermediary of a
narrator.
Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
Comedy
A dramatic work in which the central motif is the triumph
over adverse circumstance, resulting in a successful or
happy conclusion.
•
the tone is light, the main effects are to engage and
amuse the audience, the situations and characters are
usually drawn from ordinary daily life, the resolution is
happy for the major characters.
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark
Twain
Tragedy
The tone is serious, and often somber. The
effect is to involve and strongly move the
audience. The outcome is disastrous for the
protagonist.
The resolution often involves deaths
Macbeth by William Shakespeare
•
Tragedy Subtypes
Classical Tragedies- center on a highborn tragic hero who commits an
irreversible error of judgement, resulting from excessive pride
Senecan Tragedy- developed by Seneca, the Roman dramatist inspired by
revenge tragedy
Revenge Tragedy- full of sensationalist elements as ghosts, murders, and
ruthless villains
(Shakespeare, Hamlet)
Tragicomedy
A drama combining elements of tragedy and
comedy.
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
Theater of the Absurd
A designation for particular plays of absurdist fiction, as well as to the
style of theatre which has evolved from such work.
● Expresses the belief that human existence has no meaning or
purpose and therefore all communication breaks down
● Logical construction and argument gives way to irrational and
illogical speech and to its ultimate conclusion, silence.
● satire, dark humour, incongruity, the abasement of reason, and
controversy regarding the philosophical condition of being "nothing"
The American Dream by Edward Albee
Periods of Drama
A drama set in a particular historical period
Ancient Greek Drama, Roman Drama, English
Medieval drama, Elizabethan, Restoration,
Modern drama
Fiction
Literature in the form of prose, esp. short stories and
novels, that describe imaginary events and people.
Harry Potter series by JK Rowling
Novel
A fictitious prose narrative of book length, typically
representing character and action with some degree of
realism.
Example: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Short Story
A story with a fully developed theme but significantly
shorter and less elaborate than a novel.
Little Red Riding Hood
Peter Pan
Hansel and Gretel
Novella
A short novel or long short story; a work of fiction
intermediate in length and complexity between a
short story and a novel
● compact & pointed plot; often realistic & satiric tone
● originated in Italy during the Middle Ages
Chronicle of a Death Foretold Gabriel García
Márquez
The Awakening by Kate Chopin