Short Story Ties to Literary Terms

By: Spenser Brown, John Dickhaus, Jackson Long

"The Most Dangerous Game"By:

Richard Connell 

Analogy

An analogy Comparison made between two things that shows how they are alike in some way. 

An example of an analogy in "The Most Dangerous Game" is when Ivan opens the door of Zaroffs' estate. The author uses the analogy "in the river of glaring gold light that poured out" to describe the light that shown on Rainsford. This analogy tells the reader that the light is very bright and gives them a visual of what the scene might look like.

Internal Conflict

Struggle between opposing needs or desires or emotions within a single person.

In the short story "The Most Dangerous Game" an example of internal conflict is when Rainsford says "who cares how the jaguar feels?" (18). Later on in the story Rainsford starts to realize how the jaguar feels when he's being hunted by Zaroff. Rainsford has a change of heart and thinks more of the things he hunts.

Flashback

Scene in a  movie,play, short story, novel, or narrative poem that interrupts the present action.

In the short story "The Most Dangerous Game" an example of a flashback is when General Zaroff says "Oh, that fellow. Yes, he was a monster. Hurled me agaisnt a tree, fractured my skull" (22). This refers to the general's past.

Metaphor

Figure of Speech that makes a comparision between two unlike things, in which one thing becomes another thing without the use of the word like, as, or resembles.

In the short story "The Most Dangerous Game" an example of a metaphor is when General Zaroff says "i hunt the scum of the earth-sailors, lascars, blacks, chinese, and whites" (26). Zaroff is comparing the scum of the earth to these races.

Plot

A series of related events that make up a story or drama. Usually contains: Introduction, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and a Resolution.

In the short story "The Most Dangerous Game" an example of plot is the entire story itself. The exposition is when they are on the yacht (17-19), rising action during his stay with Zaroff (21-30), the climax is while Zaroff is hunting Rainsford (30-34), the falling action is when Ivan is killed by Rainsford's trap (34), and the resolution is when Rainsford gets into Zaroff's bedroom (34).

ProtagonistThe protagonist is the "good guy" in the story.  He/she is the person who is usually the main character.  They also block or get in the way of what the antagonist is trying to accomplish.  In "The Most Dangerous Game", Rainsford is the protagonist.  He is the main character and is trying to stop the nasty game of General Zaroff. 

Simile

A simile is a comparison using like or as. 

In the story "The Most Dangerous Game", a simile is used multiple times. This is one example,"'There was no breeze. The sea was as flat as a plate-glass window."'  (18)  This is a simile because he uses as to compare the sea and a plate-glass window.

"Harrison Bergeron"By:

Kurt Vonnegut 

 

Flat Character

A flat character is a character who only has one or two traits that can be described in a few words a flat character is not nearly as developed as a round character.

A good model for a flat character is Diana Moon Glampers from "Harrison Bergeron. She is not given much description in the story but the reader knows that she thinks that she is in charge. In the story she points a shot gun at the dancers and tells them "they had ten seconds to get their handicaps back on"(105). This shows that she does not take no for an answer and the reader can see she is in charge.

Third Person Omniscient Point of ViewThird person omniscient is when the narrator knows everything that goes on in the story.  In "Harrison Bergeron" the narrator knows what everyone is thinking and doing.  Knowing that the narrator knows everything means it's third person omniscient. 

   

"The Cask of Amontillado"By:

Edgar Allan Poe

Allusion

An allusion is a casual reference or incidental refernce to a statement, person, place, or event.

An example of allusion in "The Cask of Amontillado" is when Montresor refers to the Free Masons. Allusions are important to have in stories because they tie the story into real life.

Round Character

A round charecter is a character that has many differnt characteristics that sometimes contridict each other.

An example of a round character is Montresor from "The Cask of Amontillado". He is a well developed charecter meaning the auther gives us a good knowledge of him. One of the main things the author reavels about him is that he is set on revenge. This gives the reader an idea of the type of pereraon he is.

Foreshadowing

The use of clues to hint at events that will occur later in a plot.

In the short story "The Cask of Amontillado" an example of foreshadowing is when Montresor (the narrator) says "The thousand injuries of Fourtunato I had borne as best i could; but when he ventured upon insult, i vowed revenge" (212). When he says "i vowed revenge", you start to think that this story will be about revenge.

Hyperbole

Figure of Speech that uses exaggeration to express strong emotion or to create a comic effect.

In the short story "The Cask of Amontillado" an example of a hyperbole is when Fortunato says "The thousand injuries of Fourunato" (212), you don't actually know what happened  to Fortunato.

Imagery

Language that appeals to the senses.

In the short story "The Cask of Amontillado" an example of Imagery is when fortunato says, it hangs like moss upon the vaults. You picture the moss hanging upon a vault.

Verbal Irony

When someone says one thing but means the opposite.

In the short story "The Cask of Amontillado" an example of verbal irony is when Montressor says "My friend, no" (213). Montressor was talking to Fortunato as if he was his friend, but really he plans to kill him.

Dramatic Irony

When the reader know what will happen to a character within the story, but the character does not.

In the short story "The Cask of Amontillado" an example of dramatic irony is when Montressor chains Fortunato to the wall, and Montressor has no idea that this will happen (216).

            First Person Point of View

The first person point of view is known by the use of I, or me.  In first person the narrator is the main character using I or me. 

In the "Cask of Amontillado" Montresor is the narrator and tells the story in first person.  In the very beginning of the story he says, "The thousands injuries of Fortunato I had borne as best I could; but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge."(212)   This quote shows multiple times of him saying I,meaning first person. 

Tone

The tone is the attitude used by a writer to a character, audience, or subject.  

An example of tone is in the "Cask of Amontillado".  The tone is supposed to be spooky and scary. 

Unreliable Narrator

An unreliable narrator is a narrator who doesn't always know what's happening.  

"The Cask of Amontillado" is a story with an unreliable narrator because we don't get background information and don't understand what all things are.

"The Interlopers"By:Saki

   

Dynamic Character

A dynamic character who changes as a result of the story's events

In "The Interlopers" Ulrich von Gradwitz is a good model of a dynamic character. At the beginning of the story he despises Georg Znaeym, but after they are both trapped under a tree he decides he wants to be friends. this is shown when Ulrich says "If my men are the first to come, you shall be the first to be helped"(192). Dynamic characters help give the story a twist to help interest the reader.

External Conflict

External conflict is where a character struggles against an outside force for example it might be another character or society in a whole.

In the short story "The Interlopers" a good example of external conflict is when the tree falls on Ulrich and Georg. The conflict is caused by nature which is not part of the protagonist. External conflict is an element that is used to make a story more interesting.

     Third Person Limited Point of ViewThird person limited point of view is used when the narrator can see what all characters are doing, but can only see what one character is thinking.  "The Interlopers" is a story that uses third person limited. That is used in this sentence, "George Znaeym was silent for so long that Ulrich thought perhaps he had fainted with the pain of injuries." (192)  This shows third person limited because it states that Ulrich was thinking which shows we can only see what one of them is thinking.

"The Sniper"By:

Liam O'Flaherty   

Antagonist

An antagonist is the character or force that blocks the protagonist.

An example of an antagonist in the short story "The Sniper" is the man that is shooting at the sniper. He is an antagonist because he is opposing the sniper who is the protagonist. Having an antagonist makes the story more intersting and complex so the reader stays interested.

Indirect Characterization

Inderect characterization is when the reader has to use their own judgment to decide what a character is like based on evidence the author provides.

In the story "The Sniper" the author shows inderect characterization of the sniper when he is shot but remains calm and just moved spots. Inderect Characterization allows readers to picture how they see the character in their minds rather then having the author give them the picture.

Direct Characterization

Direct characterization is when the reader does not have to decide on what a character is like the author tells us directly.

 An example of direct characterization is in "The Sniper" when the author describes the face of the sniper as thin and ascetic. The author gives us a description of how he wants us too see the character. This lets us see actions of the character more how the author wants us to.

Situational Irony

Decribes an event that is suprising and contrary to what was expected.

In the short story "The Sniper" an example of situational irony is right after he shot his enemy. He runs down to see his face, only to find out that he had killed his brother.

Suspense

Suspense is anxiety the reader feels about what is going on to happen next.  This usually comes around the climax of the story.  

The suspense in "The Sniper" is when the sniper is going down to the street to see his enemy and it's his brother.

"Thank You, M'am"By:

Langston Hughes 

 

Static Character

A static character is a character that does not change much throughout the durration of the story.

An example of a static character is Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones. Throughout the story Mrs. Jones has a very take charge, but trusting attitude. This does not change throughout the story. A static charecter gives the reader something to hold on to that is not going to change. Like Mrs. Jones, the reader can get a feel of what she is going to do in the story.

Dialect

The way of speaking characteristic of a particular region or group of people.

In the short story "Thank You, M'am" an example of dialect is when Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones talks from a african american southern dialect (110-112).

Stereotype

A stereotype is inferring based on the majorities opinion. 

In "Thank You M'am", Luella Bates Washington Jones uses a stereotype.  When Roger tries to steal her purse, she thinks he is poor because most people would think that.

   

"A Sound of Thunder"

By:Ray Bradbury

Climax

The climax is the moment of great emotional intensity or suspense in a plot.

In the story "A Sound of Thunder" the climax is when Eckels steps off the path. The story had been building up to this. He had been warned time and time again to not step off the path and then it finally happens which is the highest point of excitement. The climax gives the reader something to look forward to and i makes them wonder what happened in result of the climax.

SettingThe setting is the time, place, and the environment of the story.  Every story has a setting.  In the "Sound of Thunder", the setting is in 2081, and the day after a presidential election.  During the story the setting changes back to the age of dinosaurs and in a big open jungle. 

Theme

The theme is the central idea of work or literature.  Every story has a theme.  

A theme in "The Sound of Thunder" is to always follow directions. This is a theme because Eckels went off the trail and that changed the future and got him killed.