Independent comparative critical study Key Terms

Alienation

A feeling of being isolated or estranged from others, often explored in literature as a theme affecting character development.

Narrative Perspective

The viewpoint from which a story is told, influencing how readers perceive characters and events.

Intertextuality

The relationship between texts and how they reference or influence each other.

Gothic Literature

A genre characterized by elements of horror, the supernatural, and an exploration of human psychology.

Narrative Perspective

The point of view from which a story is told, influencing how readers perceive characters and events.

Fragmentation

A literary technique that presents a disjointed or non-linear narrative, often reflecting the complexities of modern life.

Theme

The central topic or idea explored in a text.

Narrative voice

The perspective from which a story is told, influencing how the audience perceives the characters and events.

Bildungsroman

A literary genre focusing on the psychological and moral growth of the protagonist from youth to adulthood.

Stream of consciousness

A narrative mode that attempts to capture the flow of thoughts and feelings in a character's mind.

Soliloquy

A speech in which a character speaks their thoughts aloud, often used to reveal inner conflicts and motivations.

Dramatic Irony

A literary device where the audience knows more about a situation than the characters, creating tension and engagement.

Narrative Voice

The perspective from which a story is told, influencing how readers perceive characters and events.

Setting

The time and place in which a story occurs, which can significantly affect the plot and themes.

Theme

The central topic or idea explored in a text.

Motif

A recurring element that has symbolic significance in a story.

Narrative Perspective

The viewpoint from which a story is told, influencing how readers perceive characters and events.

Symbolism

The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities, adding deeper meaning to the text.

Intertextuality

The relationship between texts and how they reference or influence each other.

Narrative Perspective

The viewpoint from which a story is told, influencing how readers perceive the events and characters.

Intertextuality

The relationship between texts and how they influence each other.

Genre

A category of literature characterized by similarities in form, style, or subject matter.

Narrative perspective

The viewpoint from which a story is told, influencing how readers perceive characters and events.

Societal norms

The accepted behaviors and beliefs within a society that shape individuals' actions and roles.

Intertextuality

The relationship between texts and how they reference or influence each other, enriching meaning and context.

Bildungsroman

A literary genre focusing on the psychological and moral growth of the protagonist from youth to adulthood.

Narrative voice

The perspective from which a story is told, influencing how readers perceive characters and events.

Theme

The central idea or message conveyed in a literary work, often reflecting broader societal issues.

Translation

The process of rendering text from one language into another, often involving interpretation and adaptation.

Cultural appropriation

The adoption of elements of one culture by members of another culture, which can raise ethical concerns in translation.