Your name | Literary term | Definition | Example (From any of the novels read, if possible) | Retrieved from (webpage, book, source) | |||||||||||||||||||
1 | Cintia Toritto | Allegory | An allegory is a narrative, either in prose or verse, in which the agents and actions, and sometimes the setting, are developed by the author to make coherent sense on the “literal,” or primary, level of signification, and at the same time to communicate a second, correlated order of signification | -Allegories in Frankenstein: -Prometheus: Viktor Frankenstein is an allegory of the mythical figure Prometheus. As the latter stole fire from the gods and was punished for it, so did the former discover the secret to creating life, and subsequently suffer for it. -Genesis: Frankenstein's creation of the monster can be read as an allegory for the creation story from Genesis, of God creating Adam. As is the case in that story, Frankenstein forms the creature in his image (i.e., that of a human -- albeit grotesquely), and animates the creation. | - A glossary of literary terms by M. H. Abrams and Geoffrey Galt Harpham file:///C:/Users/Cintia/Downloads/A%20Glossary%20of%20Literary%20Terms.pdf http://www.gradesaver.com/frankenstein/study-guide/symbols-allegory-motifs | ||||||||||||||||||
2 | Fernanda Garcìa | Alliteration. | It is derived from latin “LATIRA”. It means letters of alphabet. It is a stylistic device in which a number of words having the same first consonant sound, occur close together in a series. | “Bounty and beneficence, earnest endeavor”. “With an anxiety that almost amounted to agony, I collected the instruments of life around me” . “Janie read a book by the babbling brook”. | https://literarydevices.net/alliteration/ (Mr Collins, Pride and Prejudice). (Monster’s creation; Frankenstein). http://www.ereadingworksheets.com/figurative-language/poetic-devices/alliteration-examples/ | ||||||||||||||||||
3 | Julián Acevedo | Cliché | Cliché refers to an expression that has been overused to the extent that it loses its original meaning or novelty. A cliché may also refer to actions and events which are predictable because of some previous events. All examples of Cliché are expressions that were once new and fresh. They won popularity in public and hence have been used so extensively that such expressions now sound boring and at times irritable due to the fact that they have lost their original color. | Victor as the Mad Scientist Cliché: “I never saw a more interesting creature: his eyes have generally an expression of wildness, and even madness” | https://literarydevices.net/cliche/ | ||||||||||||||||||
4 | Agustina Capuano | Dead metaphor | A dead metaphor is a figure of speech that has been used so long and become so common that has lost its original meaning. Metaphors are essential to the functioning of language. The life of a metaphor is also dependent upon cultural and social norms within a portion of society; in this way a dead metaphor stays alive in a certain pocket of the world because it is still relevant. | The arms of the chair, the legs of the table, the foot of the bed, the hands of the clock, the neck of the river, the eye of the needle, the shoulder of the road | https://www.ultius.com/glossary/literature/rhetorical-devices/dead-metaphor.html https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-a-dead-metaphor-1690418
“A glossary of literary terms” by M. H. Abrams and Geoffrey Galt Harpham | ||||||||||||||||||
5 | Andrea Cardozo | Doppelganger | The term is derived from the German language and literally translates into ‘double walker’. It refers to a character in the story that is actually a counterfeit or a copy of a genuine character. Doppelgangers of the main characters usually bear the ability to impersonate the original but have vastly different spirits and intentions. The doppelganger usually has a different appearance but an earthly soul and supernatural hoodwinking abilities that allow it to fool other unsuspecting characters. | “I rushed from my hiding-place; and, with extreme labour from the force of the current, saved her, and dragged her to shore. She was senseless; and I endeavoured by every means in my power to restore animation[...]” “ Justine also was a girl of merit, and possessed qualities which promised to render her life happy: now all was to be obliterated in an ignominious grave; and I the cause! A thousand times rather would I have confessed myself guilty of the crime ascribed to Justine; but I was absent when it was committed, and such a declaration would have been considered as the ravings of a madman[..]” | |||||||||||||||||||
6 | Nicolas Geoghegan | elegy | Elegy is a type of poem or song that is written in honor of someone deceased. It usually mourns the death of the individual. | “Here rests his head upon the lap of Earth A youth to Fortune and to Fame unknown. Fair Science frown’d not on his humble birth, And Melancholy mark’d him for her own. Large was his bounty, and his soul sincere, Heav’n did a recompense as largely send: He gave to Mis’ry all he had, a tear, He gain’d from Heav’n (‘twas all he wish’d) a friend.” [Thomas Grey, “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard” 1751] | https://literarydevices.net/elegy/ | ||||||||||||||||||
7 | Evelin N. | Euphemism | Euphemism is derived from the Greek phrase euphēmismos, meaning “to sound good.” Euphemisms are polite, mild phrases which substitute unpleasant ways of saying something sad or uncomfortable. | "In this manner I distributed my occupations when I first arrived, but as I proceeded in my labour, it became every day more horrible and irksome to me..." | (Shelley- chapter 19,p126) | ||||||||||||||||||
8 | Ingrid Micale | Foil | In literature, a foil is a character that shows qualities that are in contrast with the qualities of another character with the objective to highlight the traits of the other character. The term foil, though generally being applied for a contrasting character, may also be used for any comparison that is drawn to portray a difference between two things. What we observe in literature very often is that a foil is a secondary character who contrasts with the major character to enhance the importance of the major character. | Henry is and example of foil to Victor. “The delight of Clerval was proportionably greater than mine…” (Frankestein, Wordsworth Classics, ch 19, p. 123) | https://literarydevices.net/foil/ | ||||||||||||||||||
9 | Martyniuk | Foreshadowing | Foreshadowing is a literary device in which a writer gives an advance hint of what is to come later in the story. | Prepare to hear of occurrences which are usually deemed marvellous. Were we among the tamer scenes of nature I might fear to encounter your ‘I thank you,’ he replied, ‘for your sympathy, but it is use- Letter 4, p 25 (Wordsworth classic) | https://literarydevices.net/foreshadowing/ | ||||||||||||||||||
10 | Rebeca Jarmel | Hyperbole | Hyperbole: The figure of speech, or trope, called hyperbole ( Greek for “overshooting”) is bold overstatement, or the extravagant exaggeration of fact or of possibility. It may be used either for serious or ironic or comic effect. The purpose of hyperbole is to create a larger-than-life effect and overly stress a specific point. Such sentences usually convey an action or sentiment that is generally not practically/ realistically possible or plausible but helps emphasize an emotion. | "Do not ask me," cried I, putting my hands before my eyes for I thought I saw the dreaded spectre glide into the room; "he can tell. -- Oh, save me! save me!" I imagined that the monster seized me; I struggled furiously, and fell down in a fit. -- Ch 5, p 48 "A fiendish rage animated him as he said this; his face was wrinkled into contortions too horrible for human eyes to behold; but presently he calmed himself and proceeded—" Ch 17, p 112 | Abrams, M. H., & Harpham, G. G. (1999). A glossary of literary terms. Boston, Mass: Thomson Wadsworth. http://literary-devices.com/content/hyperbole | ||||||||||||||||||
11 | canon | ||||||||||||||||||||||
12 | Micaela B | Imagery | The term “Imagery” is a literary device and it's used to signify all the objects and qualities of sense perception referred to in a poem or other work of literature, whether by literal description. This term should not be taken to imply a visual reproduction of the object denoted, but other readers experience or qualities that are auditory, tactile (touch), thermal (heat and cold), olfactory (smell), gustatory (taste), and kinesthetic (sensations of movement). | Imagery in Frankenstein: “Some years ago, when the images which this world affords first opened upon me, when i felt the cheering warmth of summer, and heard the rustling of the leaves and the warbling of the birds, and these were all to me”. “Even the sailors feel the power of his eloquence: when he speaks they no longer despair; he rouses their energies and, while they hear his voice, they believe these vast mountains of ice are mole-hills which will banish for the resolutions of man” | -Definition of “imagery”: A glossary of literary terms by M. H. Abrams and Geoffrey Galt Harpham. file:///C:/Users/PC/Downloads/A%20Glossary%20of%20Literary%20Terms.pdf Quotes: q 1°: Wordsworth classic -(chapter) Walton, in continuation, p 170 . q2°: Wordsworth classic -(chapter) Walton, in continuation, p 162. | ||||||||||||||||||
13 | Karen Schvindt | Irony | |||||||||||||||||||||
14 | Dani Badolato | Metaphor | Metaphors are one of the most extensively used literary devices. A metaphor refers to a meaning or identity ascribed to one subject by way of another. In a metaphor, one subject is implied to be another so as to draw a comparison between their similarities and shared traits. The first subject, which is the focus of the sentences is usually compared to the second subject, which is used to convey a degree of meaning that is used to characterize the first. The purpose of using a metaphor is to take an identity or concept that we understand clearly (second subject) and use it to better understand the lesser known element (the first subject). | Sickness: Throughout Frankenstein , several characters, but especially Victor, grow sick during periods of extreme stress. Frankenstein demonstrates such illness after he creates the monster and especially after his friend, Clerval, dies. Other characters, such as his mother and father, also experience extreme sickness, yet to Victor, at least, sickness serves as an escape from life's harsh reality. It also seems to foreshadow horrible, future events-Victor always seems to realize the terrible hold fate has over him. | http://literary-devices.com/content/METAPHOR | ||||||||||||||||||
15 | Metonymy | ||||||||||||||||||||||
16 | Lucas Rivadeneira | Motif | It is a pattern, design, any recurring element that has symbolic significance in a story. Through its repetition, a motif can help produce other narrative (or literary) aspects such as theme or mood | The motif of Nature: In the story, Victor begins to see himself as “God” when he creates the monster, and now he sees nature as something he can control. When Victors is in a positive mood, he sees nature as calming and beautiful. When he is in a bad or negative mental state, nature is monstrous and terrifying. Nature helps to set the mood of the story. | Wikipedia´s (narrative) definition Cambridge Dictionary. | ||||||||||||||||||
17 | Paula Chamorro | Onomatopoeia | The fact of words containing sounds similar to The noises they describe, for example hiss; The use of words like these in a piece of writing. Onomatopeia is a word that phonetically imitates, resembles or suggests the sound that it describes. As an uncountable noun, onomatopoeia refers to the property of such words. Common occurrences of onomatopoeia include animal noises such as "oink", "miaow" (or "meow"), "roar" and "chirp". Onomatopoeia can differ between languages: it conforms to some extent to the broader linguistic system; hence the sound of a clock may be expressed as tick tock in English, dī dā in Mandarin, or katchin katchin in Japanese, or "tik-tik" (टिक-टिक) in Hindi. | The buzzing bee flew away. Meow | Definition from Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary 8th edition. Wikipedia’s definition. Examples from literarydevices.net | ||||||||||||||||||
18 | Florencia Billordo | Oxymoron | it is a figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjuction (E.g: Faith unfaithful kept him falsely true) If a paradoxical utterance conjoins two terms that in ordinary usage are contraries, it is called an oxymoron; an example is Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s “O Death in life, the days that are no more.” The oxymoron was a familiar type of Petrarchan conceit in Elizabethan love poetry, in phrases like “pleasing pains,” “I burn and freeze,” “loving hate.” It is also a frequent figure in devotional prose and religious poetry as a way of expressing the Christian mysteries. | John Milton describes the appearance of God, in Paradise Lost (III, 380): Dark with excessive bright thy skirts appear”
| A glossary of literary terms by M. H. Abrams and Geoffrey Galt Harpham. | ||||||||||||||||||
19 | Gastón Jansen | Paradox | A paradox is a statement which seems on its face to be logically contradictory or absurd, yet turns out to be interpretable in a way that makes sense. The paradox is used occasionally by almost all poets, but was a persistent and central device in seventeenth-century metaphysical poetry, in both its religious and secular forms. Paradox was a prominent concern of many New Critics, who extended the term from its limited application to a type of figurative language so as to encompass all surprising deviations from, or qualifications of, common perceptions or commonplace opinions. | “Mr. Collins welcomed his friend with the liveliest pleasure, and Elizabeth was more and more satisfied with coming, when she found herself so affectionately received. She saw instantly that her cousin’s manners were not altered by his marriage; his formal civility was just what it had been, and he detained her some minutes at the gate to hear and satisfy his enquiries after all her family. They were then, with no other delay than his pointing out the neatness of the entrance, taken into the house; as soon as they were in the parlour, he welcomed them a second time with ostentatious formality to his humble abode, and punctually repeated all his wife’s offers of refreshment” | Paradox definition: “A Glossary of Literary Terms by M.H. Abrams and Geoffrey Galt Harpham. Quote from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice chapter 5 | ||||||||||||||||||
20 | María Belén Farías | Parallelism | Parallelism in literature uses the same idea to appeal to the reader or make something memorable, but with a much grander intention. In literature, parallelism is used to convey messages of morality and emphasize ideas. There are different forms of parallelism in literature. One common form is called antithesis, which is when two opposing ideas are put together in a parallel construction. By doing this, the writer emphasizes their opposition. | Throughout the novel it can be seen parallelism between the personality of Victor and his Monster: Both love nature, appreciate knowledge and want revenge. Example that both want revenge: Creature: “For the first time the feelings of revenge and hatred filled my bosom, and I did not strive to control them, but allowing myself to be borne away by the stream” Victor: “But revenge kept me alive; I dared not die and leave my adversary in being.” | http://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-parallelism-in-literature-definition-examples.html | ||||||||||||||||||
21 | Daiana Kifer | Pathetic fallacy | A ‘pathetic fallacy’ is a literary technique that consists in the endowment of human feelings or attributes in nature, inanimate objects or animals. Etymologically speaking, a fallacy is a ‘mistake’, and pathetic comes from pathos (Greek), which is a feeling of pity and fear. A pathetic fallacy is a type of ‘personification’ as the former reflects the feelings and emotions of the characters. | “The wind, which had fallen in the south, now rose with great violence in the west. The moon had reached her summit in the heavens and was beginning to descend -- the clouds swept across it swifter than the flight of the vulture and dimmed her rays, while the lake reflected the scene of the busy heavens, rendered still busier by the restless waves that were beginning to rise. Suddenly a heavy storm of rain descended. I had been calm during the day; but so soon as night obscured the shapes of objects, a thousand fears arose in my mind. I was anxious and watchful, while my right band grasped a pistol which was hidden in my bosom; every sound terrified me; but I resolved that I would sell my life dearly, and not shrink from the conflict until my own life, or that of my adversary, was extinguished.” [Frankenstein; Ch. 23] | Enciclopaedia Britannica (2017) https://www.britannica.com/art/pathetic-fallacy Utges S. (2016) English Literature, - pp. 2, unpublished JVG class material Shelley, M. (1999) Frankenstein, London: Wordsworth Classics | ||||||||||||||||||
22 | Persona | ||||||||||||||||||||||
23 | Maira Pérez | Personification | Personification is a figure of speech in which a thing, an idea or an animal is given human attributes. The non-human objects are portrayed in such a way that we feel they have the ability to act like human beings. This literary device helps us relate actions of inanimate objects to bur own emotions, because it is easier for us to relate to something that is human or that possesses human traits. | “The very winds whispered in soothing accents, and maternal Nature bade me weep no more” (Shelley, Chapter 9, page 108) | |||||||||||||||||||
24 | Greta Acosta | Rhetorical question | A rhetorical question is asked just for effect or to lay emphasis on some point discussed when no real answer is expected. It can have an obvious answer but the questioner asks rhetorical questions to lay emphasis to the point. In literature, a rhetorical question is self-evident and used for style as an impressive persuasive device. | "His tale, and the feelings he now expressed, proved him to be a creature of fine sensations; and did I not as his maker, owe him all the portion of happiness that it was in my power to bestow?" (Shelley, P.141, Ch.17). | https://literarydevices.net/rhetorical-question/ | ||||||||||||||||||
25 | Gabriela Aleman | Rhyme | A rhyme is a repetition of similar sounding words occurring at the end of lines in poems or songs. A rhyme is a tool utilizing repeating patterns that brings rhythm or musicality in poems which differentiate them from prose which is plain. | Like one who, on a lonely road, Doth walk in fear and dread, And, having once turned round, walks on, And turns no more his head; Because he knows a frightful fiend Doth close behind him tread. (Shelley, pp47) | https://literarydevices.net/rhyme/ | ||||||||||||||||||
26 | Gabriela osso | Satire | Satire is a technique employed by writers to expose and criticize foolishness and corruption of an individual or a society by using humor, irony, exaggeration or ridicule. It intends to improve humanity by criticizing its follies and foibles. A writer in a satire uses fictional characters, which stand for real people, to expose and condemn their corruption. | "A new species would bless me as its creator and source; many happy and excellent natures would owe their being to me. I might in process of time (although I now found it impossible) renew life where death had apparently devoted the body to corruption." "Learn from me, if not by my precepts, at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow." | |||||||||||||||||||
27 | Melina Gambino | Simile | A simile is a figure of speech that makes a comparison, showing similarities between two different things. Unlike a metaphor, a simile draws resemblance with the help of the words “like” or “as”. Therefore, it is a direct comparison. | “ (...) If any one performs an act of kindness towards him or does him any the most trifling service, his whole countenance is lighted up, as it were, with a beam of benevolence and sweetness that I never saw equalled” “ The saintly soul of Elizabeth shone like a shrine-dedicated lamp in our peaceful home” | https://literarydevices.net/simile/ Frankenstein - Mary Shelley | ||||||||||||||||||
28 | Analia Romero | Symbol | A symbol is a Literary device that contains several layers of meaning, often concealed at first sight and is representative of several other aspects, concepts or traits than those that are visible in the literal translation alone. Symbol is using an object or action that mean something than its literal meaning. | “What could not be be expected in the country of eternal light? Asks Walton, displaying a faith in, and optimism about, science. Light symbolizes knowledge, discovery, and enlightenment. The natural world is a place of dark secret , hidden passages, and unknown mechanisms; the goal of scientists is them to reach light. The dangerous and more powerful cousin of light is fire. The monster's first experience with a still-soldering flame reveals the dual nature of fire: he discovers excitedly that it creates light in the darkness of the night, but also that it harms him when he touches it. | www. symbol/definition/example/source.com www.sparknotes/literary/themes.html | ||||||||||||||||||
29 | Acosta Lucas Nahuel. | Theme | It is defined as a main idea or an underlying meaning of a literary work that may be stated directly or indirectly. | Dangerous knowledge Victor is in the pursuit of the secret of life from the beginning, going beyond the human accepted knowledge. On the other side, we also have Robert Walton’s seek of surpassing humans explorations trying to reach the North Pole. This ruthless pursuit of knowledge, proves dangerous, as Victor’s monster finally destructs his beloved ones’ lives and Walton finds himself dangerously trapped between sheets of ice. | http://literarydevices.net | ||||||||||||||||||
30 | Daniela Mora | Tone | The tone of a literary work is the perspective or attitude that the author adopts with regards to a specific character, place or development. Tone can portray a variety of emotions ranging from solemn, grave, and critical to witty, wry and humorous. Tone helps the reader ascertain the writer’s feelings towards a particular topic and this in turn influences the reader’s understanding of the story. | “I closed not my eyes that night. My internal being was in a state of insurrection and turmoil; I felt that order would thence arise, but I had no power to produce it. By degrees, after the morning’s dawn, sleep came. I awoke, and my yesternight’s thoughts were as dream. There only remained a resolution to return to my ancient studies, and to devote myself to a science for which I believed myself to possess a natural talent.” - “Justine died; she rested; and I was alive. The blood flowed freely in my veins, but a weight of despair and remorse pressed on my heart, which nothing could remorse.” - “As the images that floated before me became more distinct, I grew feverish; a darkness pressed around me: on one was near me who soothed me with the gentle voice of love; no dear hand supported me.” | http://literary-devices.com/content/tone Quote #1: Chapter 3, page 38. (Wordsworth Classics). Quote #2: Chapter 9, page 70. (Wordsworth Classics). Quote #3: Chapter 20, page 136. (Wordsworth Classics). | ||||||||||||||||||
32 | Perez micaela | Analogy | is a comparison in which an idea or thing is compared to another thing quite different from it. Metaphors and similes are tools to draw a comparison. | Frankenstein Like the archangel who aspired to omnipotence, I am chained in a eternal hell. This hell has to do with the psychological state that VIctor has in his him mind and it also refers to the hell so powerful that is described in Paradise Lost. | Chapter 24, page 211 or 194 | ||||||||||||||||||
31 | Fagundez Camila | Antithesis | An antithesis is used when the writer employs two sentences of contrasting meanings in close proximity in one another. It works to contrast two divergent that come together to create one uniform whole. | “Life and death appeared to me ideal bounds, which I should first break through, and pour a torrent of light into our dark world. A new species would bless me as its creator and source; many happy and excellent natures would owe their being to me” “ I could bestow animation upon lifeless matter, I might in process of time (...) renew life where death had apparently devoted the body to corruption” Chapter 4, Page 43, 2nd paragraph, Wordsworth Classics. |