Literary Devices and Elements - 1.2
Introduction & Overview
Read summaries of the section's main ideas at different levels of detail.
Quick Overview
Standard
This unit provides a comprehensive overview of the fundamental literary devices and elements that form the building blocks of any literary work. We'll explore how imagery creates sensory experiences; how metaphor and simile establish evocative comparisons; how symbolism imbues objects with deeper meaning; and how different types of irony create layers of discrepancy. The unit also defines crucial narrative components such as tone, mood, theme, characterization (direct and indirect), plot (with its conventional structure), setting, narrative voice, and various points of view (first, second, third-person omniscient, limited, and objective). Understanding these tools is paramount for sophisticated literary analysis, enabling readers to dissect how authors achieve their artistic effects and convey complex ideas.
Detailed Summary
This unit serves as a cornerstone for literary analysis, systematically introducing the core literary devices and elements that writers skillfully employ to shape their narratives, evoke specific responses, and imbue their work with layers of profound meaning. A comprehensive understanding of these techniques is not merely about identification, but about appreciating how they function to create a text's overall impact and communicate its message.
Our in-depth investigation will cover:
- Imagery: The art of creating vivid mental pictures or sensory experiences. This involves descriptive language that appeals to one or more of the five senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch) to make the text more immersive and relatable.
- Example: "The damp, moss-covered stones felt slick underfoot, and the earthy scent of decaying leaves filled the cool, still air." (Appeals to touch and smell, immersing the reader in the environment).
- Metaphor: A direct comparison between two unlike things, stating that one thing is another, without using "like" or "as." It asserts an identity or analogy, revealing unexpected similarities and often enriching meaning.
- Example: "The politician was a lion in the debate." (The politician is a lion, implying courage, strength, and dominance in that specific context).
- Simile: A comparison between two unlike things using "like" or "as." It makes the comparison explicit, drawing a clear parallel.
- Example: "Her laughter was like a tinkling of wind chimes." (Suggests lightness, pleasantness, and musicality, making the comparison clear and evocative).
- Symbolism: The use of an object, person, place, or idea to represent something else, often an abstract concept. The meaning of the symbol is usually developed and gains specific significance within the context of the literary work itself.
- Example: A dove often symbolizes peace; in The Great Gatsby, the green light across the bay symbolizes Gatsby's hopes and dreams for Daisy, specifically tied to his yearning for the past.
- Irony: A sophisticated literary device involving a contrast or discrepancy.
- Verbal Irony: A speaker says something but means the opposite, often for sarcasm or subtle humor.
- Example: After a disastrous performance, saying, "That was simply brilliant." (The speaker means the exact opposite).
- Situational Irony: An outcome contrary to what was expected, often with a twist. The situation itself is contradictory.
- Example: A fire station burning down (expected to prevent fires, not suffer one).
- Dramatic Irony: Occurs when the audience (or reader) knows more about the characters' situations or fate than the characters themselves, creating tension or suspense.
- Example: In a horror film, the audience knows the killer is hiding in the closet, but the character does not, creating suspense as the character approaches.
- Verbal Irony: A speaker says something but means the opposite, often for sarcasm or subtle humor.
- Tone: The author's or speaker's attitude towards the subject matter, characters, or audience. It is conveyed through careful word choice (diction), sentence structure (syntax), and overall style.
- Examples: Sarcastic, joyful, critical, mournful, objective, celebratory. (The author's implied feeling).
- Mood: The atmosphere or emotional feeling evoked in the reader by the literary work. While tone is the author's attitude, mood is the reader's feeling experience.
- Examples: Suspenseful, melancholic, joyful, eerie, contemplative. (The feeling the reader experiences).
- Theme: The central, underlying message, insight, or universal truth explored within a literary work. It is not merely the subject (e.g., love), but what the work says about that subject (e.g., "the destructive nature of obsessive love" or "the redemptive power of unconditional love"). A work can have multiple themes.
- Characterization: The artistic process by which writers create and develop characters, making them believable and complex.
- Direct Characterization: The author explicitly tells the reader about a character's personality traits.
- Example: "She was a woman of unwavering integrity and courage." (Direct statement).
- Indirect Characterization: The author reveals a character's personality through their:
- Speech: What the character says and how they say it.
- Thoughts: The character's inner monologue and beliefs.
- Effect on Others: How other characters react to and perceive them.
- Actions: What the character does.
- Looks: The character's physical appearance and attire.
- Direct Characterization: The author explicitly tells the reader about a character's personality traits.
- Plot: The sequence of interconnected events that make up a story, typically following a conventional structure:
- Exposition: Introduces characters, setting, and basic situation.
- Rising Action: A series of events that build suspense and lead to the climax, often involving conflicts or complications.
- Climax: The turning point of the story, the moment of highest tension or decision, after which the main conflict begins to resolve.
- Falling Action: Events that occur after the climax, leading towards the resolution, as conflicts begin to unwind.
- Resolution (Denouement): The conclusion of the story, where conflicts are resolved, and loose ends are tied up.
- Setting: The time and place in which a story unfolds. This includes not only physical location and historical period but also the social, cultural, and political environment, which can significantly influence characters and plot.
- Example: The crowded, foggy streets of Victorian London (physical setting, historical period, and immediately suggests a certain mood and social context).
- Narrative Voice: The distinct perspective, personality, and speaking style of the narrator, through whom the story is told. It is crucial for shaping the reader's understanding and perception of events, often reflecting the narrator's biases or unique perspective.
- Point of View: The specific angle or position from which the story is narrated, determining how much information the reader receives and from what perspective.
- First-Person Point of View: The narrator is a character within the story, directly telling their own experiences using "I," "me," "my." Offers an intimate, subjective perspective but is limited to what that character knows or experiences.
- Second-Person Point of View: The narrator addresses the reader directly using "you." Rare in fiction, common in instructional texts or experimental literature, creating direct engagement.
- Third-Person Point of View: The narrator is outside the story and refers to characters using "he," "she," "they."
- Third-Person Omniscient: The "all-knowing" narrator has access to the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of all characters, and can move freely in time and space. Offers a broad, comprehensive view.
- Third-Person Limited: The narrator focuses on the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of only one particular character, providing a more focused but still external perspective.
- Third-Person Objective: The narrator presents only what can be seen and heard, like a camera recording events, without revealing any characters' thoughts or feelings. Creates detachment and allows the reader to draw their own conclusions.
Key takeaway: Mastering these literary devices and elements is fundamental. They are not merely ornamental; they are the intentional choices an author makes to construct meaning, evoke emotion, and guide the reader's interpretation. Recognizing and analyzing them allows for a much deeper and more nuanced understanding of any literary work.
Detailed
This unit serves as a cornerstone for literary analysis, systematically introducing the core literary devices and elements that writers skillfully employ to shape their narratives, evoke specific responses, and imbue their work with layers of profound meaning. A comprehensive understanding of these techniques is not merely about identification, but about appreciating how they function to create a text's overall impact and communicate its message.
Our in-depth investigation will cover:
- Imagery: The art of creating vivid mental pictures or sensory experiences. This involves descriptive language that appeals to one or more of the five senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch) to make the text more immersive and relatable.
- Example: "The damp, moss-covered stones felt slick underfoot, and the earthy scent of decaying leaves filled the cool, still air." (Appeals to touch and smell, immersing the reader in the environment).
- Metaphor: A direct comparison between two unlike things, stating that one thing is another, without using "like" or "as." It asserts an identity or analogy, revealing unexpected similarities and often enriching meaning.
- Example: "The politician was a lion in the debate." (The politician is a lion, implying courage, strength, and dominance in that specific context).
- Simile: A comparison between two unlike things using "like" or "as." It makes the comparison explicit, drawing a clear parallel.
- Example: "Her laughter was like a tinkling of wind chimes." (Suggests lightness, pleasantness, and musicality, making the comparison clear and evocative).
- Symbolism: The use of an object, person, place, or idea to represent something else, often an abstract concept. The meaning of the symbol is usually developed and gains specific significance within the context of the literary work itself.
- Example: A dove often symbolizes peace; in The Great Gatsby, the green light across the bay symbolizes Gatsby's hopes and dreams for Daisy, specifically tied to his yearning for the past.
- Irony: A sophisticated literary device involving a contrast or discrepancy.
- Verbal Irony: A speaker says something but means the opposite, often for sarcasm or subtle humor.
- Example: After a disastrous performance, saying, "That was simply brilliant." (The speaker means the exact opposite).
- Situational Irony: An outcome contrary to what was expected, often with a twist. The situation itself is contradictory.
- Example: A fire station burning down (expected to prevent fires, not suffer one).
- Dramatic Irony: Occurs when the audience (or reader) knows more about the characters' situations or fate than the characters themselves, creating tension or suspense.
- Example: In a horror film, the audience knows the killer is hiding in the closet, but the character does not, creating suspense as the character approaches.
- Verbal Irony: A speaker says something but means the opposite, often for sarcasm or subtle humor.
- Tone: The author's or speaker's attitude towards the subject matter, characters, or audience. It is conveyed through careful word choice (diction), sentence structure (syntax), and overall style.
- Examples: Sarcastic, joyful, critical, mournful, objective, celebratory. (The author's implied feeling).
- Mood: The atmosphere or emotional feeling evoked in the reader by the literary work. While tone is the author's attitude, mood is the reader's feeling experience.
- Examples: Suspenseful, melancholic, joyful, eerie, contemplative. (The feeling the reader experiences).
- Theme: The central, underlying message, insight, or universal truth explored within a literary work. It is not merely the subject (e.g., love), but what the work says about that subject (e.g., "the destructive nature of obsessive love" or "the redemptive power of unconditional love"). A work can have multiple themes.
- Characterization: The artistic process by which writers create and develop characters, making them believable and complex.
- Direct Characterization: The author explicitly tells the reader about a character's personality traits.
- Example: "She was a woman of unwavering integrity and courage." (Direct statement).
- Indirect Characterization: The author reveals a character's personality through their:
- Speech: What the character says and how they say it.
- Thoughts: The character's inner monologue and beliefs.
- Effect on Others: How other characters react to and perceive them.
- Actions: What the character does.
- Looks: The character's physical appearance and attire.
- Direct Characterization: The author explicitly tells the reader about a character's personality traits.
- Plot: The sequence of interconnected events that make up a story, typically following a conventional structure:
- Exposition: Introduces characters, setting, and basic situation.
- Rising Action: A series of events that build suspense and lead to the climax, often involving conflicts or complications.
- Climax: The turning point of the story, the moment of highest tension or decision, after which the main conflict begins to resolve.
- Falling Action: Events that occur after the climax, leading towards the resolution, as conflicts begin to unwind.
- Resolution (Denouement): The conclusion of the story, where conflicts are resolved, and loose ends are tied up.
- Setting: The time and place in which a story unfolds. This includes not only physical location and historical period but also the social, cultural, and political environment, which can significantly influence characters and plot.
- Example: The crowded, foggy streets of Victorian London (physical setting, historical period, and immediately suggests a certain mood and social context).
- Narrative Voice: The distinct perspective, personality, and speaking style of the narrator, through whom the story is told. It is crucial for shaping the reader's understanding and perception of events, often reflecting the narrator's biases or unique perspective.
- Point of View: The specific angle or position from which the story is narrated, determining how much information the reader receives and from what perspective.
- First-Person Point of View: The narrator is a character within the story, directly telling their own experiences using "I," "me," "my." Offers an intimate, subjective perspective but is limited to what that character knows or experiences.
- Second-Person Point of View: The narrator addresses the reader directly using "you." Rare in fiction, common in instructional texts or experimental literature, creating direct engagement.
- Third-Person Point of View: The narrator is outside the story and refers to characters using "he," "she," "they."
- Third-Person Omniscient: The "all-knowing" narrator has access to the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of all characters, and can move freely in time and space. Offers a broad, comprehensive view.
- Third-Person Limited: The narrator focuses on the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of only one particular character, providing a more focused but still external perspective.
- Third-Person Objective: The narrator presents only what can be seen and heard, like a camera recording events, without revealing any characters' thoughts or feelings. Creates detachment and allows the reader to draw their own conclusions.
Key takeaway: Mastering these literary devices and elements is fundamental. They are not merely ornamental; they are the intentional choices an author makes to construct meaning, evoke emotion, and guide the reader's interpretation. Recognizing and analyzing them allows for a much deeper and more nuanced understanding of any literary work.
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Sensory Language and Comparisons: Imagery, Metaphor, Simile
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Chapter Content
Imagery uses descriptive language to appeal to the five senses. Metaphor is a direct comparison between unlike things, stating one is another. Simile compares two unlike things using "like" or "as."
Detailed Explanation
This segment introduces three fundamental literary devices that enhance vividness and meaning. Imagery is a writer's tool for creating mental pictures and sensory experiences for the reader, engaging sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch through descriptive language. This makes the text feel more real and immersive. Metaphor and Simile are both forms of comparison, drawing connections between two seemingly dissimilar things to reveal deeper insights or characteristics. The key distinction lies in their directness: a metaphor states that one thing is another (e.g., "the mind is an ocean"), asserting an identity, while a simile explicitly uses "like" or "as" to make the comparison (e.g., "the mind is like an ocean"). Both aim to enrich understanding and evoke specific associations.
Examples & Analogies
Think of a chef describing a dish.
* Imagery: "The sizzling butter smelled of roasted nuts, coating the tender, golden-brown chicken." (Engages smell, sound, sight, taste, touch).
* Metaphor: "That chef is a magician in the kitchen." (The chef is a magician β implying skill, wonder, and transformative abilities).
* Simile: "The soup was as comforting as a warm blanket." (Explicitly comparing comfort to a blanket).
Key Concepts
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Authorial Craft: The deliberate choices writers make in employing language and structure.
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Connotation vs. Denotation: The implied meanings versus the literal meanings of words, especially relevant for imagery and symbolism.
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Narrative Control: How point of view and narrative voice shape what the reader knows and perceives.
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Structural Significance: How the organization of plot and literary devices contributes to overall meaning.
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Reader Engagement: How devices are used to evoke emotional or intellectual responses in the audience.
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Examples
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(These examples reiterate and slightly expand on those provided in your outline, providing additional context for learning)
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Imagery: "The wind, a thin, icy whine, scraped against the windowpanes, carrying the metallic tang of distant snow." (Auditory and olfactory imagery, appealing to sound and smell, creating a harsh, cold atmosphere).
-
Metaphor: "Her words were daggers, piercing his fragile confidence." (Directly compares words to daggers, implying their sharp, destructive power).
-
Simile: "The old house groaned like a wounded beast in the storm." (Compares the house's sound to a wounded beast, emphasizing its age and distress).
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Symbolism: In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter, the letter "A" initially symbolizes "Adultery" but later evolves to symbolize "Able" or "Angel," showing the community's changing perception and Hester's transformation.
-
Verbal Irony: In Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal," the narrator's deadpan suggestion to eat Irish babies to solve poverty is a profound example of verbal irony, used to satirize the British government's cruel indifference to the Irish poor.
-
Situational Irony: A character who has been meticulously saving money for years to buy a dream car wins the same car in a lottery, leading to an unexpected and ironic outcome where their years of effort become unnecessary.
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Dramatic Irony: In Sophocles' Oedipus Rex, the audience knows that Oedipus is the murderer he seeks, and also his father, while Oedipus himself remains tragically unaware, leading to immense dramatic tension.
-
Tone: The opening of Charles Dickens's A Tale of Two Cities β "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..." β establishes a contrasting, reflective, and somewhat paradoxical tone.
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Mood: The eerie, unsettling atmosphere in Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery," building from a seemingly normal village gathering to a shocking ritual, creates a suspenseful and disturbing mood.
-
Theme: In George Orwell's Animal Farm, a central theme is "the corruption of revolutionary ideals by authoritarian power," not just "revolution."
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Direct Characterization: "Mr. Dursley was a big, beefy man with hardly any neck, although he did have a very large moustache." (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling)
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Indirect Characterization (Speech): "I'm not saying I'm going to change the world, but I guarantee that I will spark the brain that will change the world." (Tupac Shakur β his words reveal ambition and confidence).
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Plot Structure (from a fairy tale):
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Exposition: Cinderella lives with her wicked stepmother and stepsisters.
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Rising Action: Invitation to the ball, stepmother forbids her, fairy godmother appears, she goes to the ball, falls in love, loses slipper.
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Climax: The prince searches for the slipper's owner, arriving at Cinderella's house.
-
Falling Action: The slipper fits Cinderella, she reveals her true identity.
-
Resolution: Cinderella marries the prince and lives happily ever after.
-
Setting: The post-apocalyptic, desolate landscapes of Cormac McCarthy's The Road not only describe the physical world but also convey a mood of despair and the desperate struggle for survival in a broken society.
-
Narrative Voice: In J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield's cynical, colloquial, and often rambling first-person narrative voice uniquely shapes the reader's understanding of his alienation and disillusionment.
-
Point of View (Third-Person Limited): In Katherine Mansfield's "Miss Brill," the story is told in third-person limited, allowing the reader to experience events solely through Miss Brill's perceptions and thoughts, highlighting her self-delusion and vulnerability.
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Flashcards
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Term: Imagery
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Definition: Language appealing to senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch).
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Term: Metaphor
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Definition: Direct comparison ("is") between unlike things.
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Term: Simile
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Definition: Comparison ("like" or "as") between unlike things.
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Term: Symbolism
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Definition: Object/person/idea representing an abstract concept.
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Term: Verbal Irony
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Definition: Saying the opposite of what's meant.
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Term: Situational Irony
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Definition: Outcome contrary to expectation.
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Term: Dramatic Irony
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Definition: Audience knows more than character.
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Term: Tone
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Definition: Author's attitude.
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Term: Mood
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Definition: Reader's evoked emotion/atmosphere.
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Term: Theme
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Definition: Central message/universal truth.
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Term: Direct Characterization
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Definition: Author explicitly states traits.
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Term: Indirect Characterization
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Definition: Traits revealed through speech, thoughts, actions, looks, effect on others.
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Term: Plot Stages
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Definition: Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, Resolution.
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Term: Setting
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Definition: Time, place, and socio-cultural environment.
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Term: First-Person POV
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Definition: Narrator is character ("I").
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Term: Third-Person Omniscient POV
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Definition: All-knowing narrator outside story.
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Memory Aids
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S.T.A.R.S. for Indirect Characterization: Speech, Thoughts, Actions, Reactions of others, Success (or failures, sometimes called Looks).
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I.M.S. for Comparisons: Imagery (In the senses), Metaphor (Means IS), Simile (Same as/like).
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P.L.O.T. for Structure: Position (Exposition), Ladder (Rising Action), Oh-My-God (Climax), Tumbling (Falling Action), Tie-Up (Resolution).
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T.O.M. for Irony Types: To Others' Mind (Audience-Dramatic, Opposite-Verbal, Outcome-Situational).
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T.O.M. (or M.O.T.) for Tone vs. Mood: Tone is Outhor's Mindset. Mood is Reader's Outcome (feeling).
Examples & Applications
(These examples reiterate and slightly expand on those provided in your outline, providing additional context for learning)
Imagery: "The wind, a thin, icy whine, scraped against the windowpanes, carrying the metallic tang of distant snow." (Auditory and olfactory imagery, appealing to sound and smell, creating a harsh, cold atmosphere).
Metaphor: "Her words were daggers, piercing his fragile confidence." (Directly compares words to daggers, implying their sharp, destructive power).
Simile: "The old house groaned like a wounded beast in the storm." (Compares the house's sound to a wounded beast, emphasizing its age and distress).
Symbolism: In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter, the letter "A" initially symbolizes "Adultery" but later evolves to symbolize "Able" or "Angel," showing the community's changing perception and Hester's transformation.
Verbal Irony: In Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal," the narrator's deadpan suggestion to eat Irish babies to solve poverty is a profound example of verbal irony, used to satirize the British government's cruel indifference to the Irish poor.
Situational Irony: A character who has been meticulously saving money for years to buy a dream car wins the same car in a lottery, leading to an unexpected and ironic outcome where their years of effort become unnecessary.
Dramatic Irony: In Sophocles' Oedipus Rex, the audience knows that Oedipus is the murderer he seeks, and also his father, while Oedipus himself remains tragically unaware, leading to immense dramatic tension.
Tone: The opening of Charles Dickens's A Tale of Two Cities β "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..." β establishes a contrasting, reflective, and somewhat paradoxical tone.
Mood: The eerie, unsettling atmosphere in Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery," building from a seemingly normal village gathering to a shocking ritual, creates a suspenseful and disturbing mood.
Theme: In George Orwell's Animal Farm, a central theme is "the corruption of revolutionary ideals by authoritarian power," not just "revolution."
Direct Characterization: "Mr. Dursley was a big, beefy man with hardly any neck, although he did have a very large moustache." (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling)
Indirect Characterization (Speech): "I'm not saying I'm going to change the world, but I guarantee that I will spark the brain that will change the world." (Tupac Shakur β his words reveal ambition and confidence).
Plot Structure (from a fairy tale):
Exposition: Cinderella lives with her wicked stepmother and stepsisters.
Rising Action: Invitation to the ball, stepmother forbids her, fairy godmother appears, she goes to the ball, falls in love, loses slipper.
Climax: The prince searches for the slipper's owner, arriving at Cinderella's house.
Falling Action: The slipper fits Cinderella, she reveals her true identity.
Resolution: Cinderella marries the prince and lives happily ever after.
Setting: The post-apocalyptic, desolate landscapes of Cormac McCarthy's The Road not only describe the physical world but also convey a mood of despair and the desperate struggle for survival in a broken society.
Narrative Voice: In J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield's cynical, colloquial, and often rambling first-person narrative voice uniquely shapes the reader's understanding of his alienation and disillusionment.
Point of View (Third-Person Limited): In Katherine Mansfield's "Miss Brill," the story is told in third-person limited, allowing the reader to experience events solely through Miss Brill's perceptions and thoughts, highlighting her self-delusion and vulnerability.
Flashcards
Term: Imagery
Definition: Language appealing to senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch).
Term: Metaphor
Definition: Direct comparison ("is") between unlike things.
Term: Simile
Definition: Comparison ("like" or "as") between unlike things.
Term: Symbolism
Definition: Object/person/idea representing an abstract concept.
Term: Verbal Irony
Definition: Saying the opposite of what's meant.
Term: Situational Irony
Definition: Outcome contrary to expectation.
Term: Dramatic Irony
Definition: Audience knows more than character.
Term: Tone
Definition: Author's attitude.
Term: Mood
Definition: Reader's evoked emotion/atmosphere.
Term: Theme
Definition: Central message/universal truth.
Term: Direct Characterization
Definition: Author explicitly states traits.
Term: Indirect Characterization
Definition: Traits revealed through speech, thoughts, actions, looks, effect on others.
Term: Plot Stages
Definition: Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, Resolution.
Term: Setting
Definition: Time, place, and socio-cultural environment.
Term: First-Person POV
Definition: Narrator is character ("I").
Term: Third-Person Omniscient POV
Definition: All-knowing narrator outside story.
Memory Aids
S.T.A.R.S. for Indirect Characterization: Speech, Thoughts, Actions, Reactions of others, Success (or failures, sometimes called Looks).
I.M.S. for Comparisons: Imagery (In the senses), Metaphor (Means IS), Simile (Same as/like).
P.L.O.T. for Structure: Position (Exposition), Ladder (Rising Action), Oh-My-God (Climax), Tumbling (Falling Action), Tie-Up (Resolution).
T.O.M. for Irony Types: To Others' Mind (Audience-Dramatic, Opposite-Verbal, Outcome-Situational).
T.O.M. (or M.O.T.) for Tone vs. Mood: Tone is Outhor's Mindset. Mood is Reader's Outcome (feeling).
Memory Aids
Interactive tools to help you remember key concepts
Memory Tools
Speech, Thoughts, Actions, Reactions of others, Success (or failures, sometimes called Looks).
- I.M.S. for Comparisons
Memory Tools
Position (Exposition), Ladder (Rising Action), Oh-My-God (Climax), Tumbling (Falling Action), Tie-Up (Resolution).
- T.O.M. for Irony Types
Memory Tools
Tone is Outhor's Mindset. Mood is Reader's Outcome (feeling).
Flash Cards
Glossary
- ThirdPerson Objective
Narrator presents only observable facts.
- Reader Engagement
How devices are used to evoke emotional or intellectual responses in the audience.
- Point of View (ThirdPerson Limited)
In Katherine Mansfield's "Miss Brill," the story is told in third-person limited, allowing the reader to experience events solely through Miss Brill's perceptions and thoughts, highlighting her self-delusion and vulnerability.
- Definition
All-knowing narrator outside story.
- T.O.M. (or M.O.T.) for Tone vs. Mood
Tone is Outhor's Mindset. Mood is Reader's Outcome (feeling).