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AQA A-Level English Literature A key terms

Option 2A WW1 and its aftermath Key Terms

Study Option 2A WW1 and its aftermath with curriculum-aligned Key Terms resources, practice links, and exam-focused support.

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key terms

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Topic

Option 2A WW1 and its aftermath

AqaA LevelEnglish Literature APaper 2 Texts in shared contexts

Key terms

  • Combatant

    A person engaged in warfare, especially a soldier.

  • Non-combatant

    A person not engaged in fighting during a conflict, often referring to civilians.

  • Propaganda

    Information, especially biased or misleading, used to promote a political cause or point of view.

  • Heroism

    The qualities or attributes of a hero, often romanticized in literature but critiqued in the context of war.

  • Futility

    The pointlessness or uselessness of war, often highlighted in literature to critique its glorification.

  • Disillusionment

    A feeling of disappointment resulting from the discovery that something is not as good as one believed it to be, prevalent in post-war literature.

  • Trauma

    A deeply distressing or disturbing experience, often explored in literature as a consequence of war.

  • Memory

    The process of recalling past experiences, which plays a crucial role in how literature addresses the aftermath of WWI.

  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

    A mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, often explored in literature about war.

  • Modernism

    A literary movement characterized by a break from traditional forms and an exploration of new narrative techniques, often reflecting the disillusionment of the post-war era.

  • Futility

    The pointlessness or uselessness of an action, often highlighted in discussions of war.

  • Collective Memory

    The shared pool of knowledge and information in the memories of two or more members of a group, particularly regarding historical events.

  • Modernism

    A literary movement characterized by a break from traditional forms and an exploration of new narrative techniques and themes, often reflecting the disillusionment of the post-war era.

  • Stream of Consciousness

    A narrative mode that attempts to capture the flow of thoughts and feelings as they occur, often used to provide insight into a character's inner experiences.

  • Modernism

    A literary movement characterized by a break from traditional forms and an exploration of new narrative techniques.

  • War Poetry

    A genre that captures the experiences and emotions of soldiers during and after war, often highlighting its brutality.

  • Futility

    The concept that war is pointless and leads to unnecessary suffering, a common theme in WW1 literature.

  • Trauma

    The psychological impact of war on individuals, often explored in literature to depict the lasting effects of conflict.

  • Futility

    The sense that efforts in war are pointless and lead to suffering.

  • Patriotism

    Love for one's country, often used to justify participation in war.

  • War Poetry

    Poetry that reflects on the experiences and consequences of war, often highlighting themes of trauma, loss, and heroism.

  • Imagery

    Language that evokes sensory experience, crucial for conveying the emotional landscape of war in poetry.

  • Imagery

    Descriptive language that appeals to the senses and creates vivid pictures in the reader's mind.

  • Theme

    The central idea or message conveyed in a literary work.

  • Modernism

    A literary movement characterized by a break from traditional forms and an exploration of new narrative techniques.

  • Trauma

    Psychological damage resulting from distressing experiences, often explored in post-war literature.

  • Imagery

    Descriptive language that appeals to the senses and creates vivid pictures in the reader's mind.

  • Camaraderie

    A spirit of friendship and community among soldiers, often highlighted as a crucial element of survival in wartime.

  • Modernism

    A literary movement characterized by a break from traditional forms and an exploration of new narrative techniques.

  • Postmodernism

    A late 20th-century reaction against modernism, often marked by a skeptical, self-aware approach to literature.

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