The ContenderThe ContenderVocabulary andVocabulary and

Literary TermsLiterary Terms

ContendContendTo strive against To strive against difficulty; struggle difficulty; struggle

ContenderContenderOne who One who competescompetes

GhettoGhettoA section of a city A section of a city

occupied by a minority occupied by a minority group who live there group who live there especially because of especially because of social, economic, or legal social, economic, or legal pressure.pressure.

MarqueeMarqueeA roof like A roof like

structure, structure, often with a often with a signboard, signboard, projecting projecting over an over an entrance entrance

SparSpar To fight with an opponent in a short To fight with an opponent in a short

bout or practice session, as in boxing. bout or practice session, as in boxing.

SheepishSheepishEmbarrassed Embarrassed because you did because you did something wrongsomething wrong

LinoleumLinoleum a floor a floor covering covering

Originally a Originally a trademarktrademark

WinoWinoA poor alcoholic with no A poor alcoholic with no

homehome

BoardwalkBoardwalk A walkway, especially of planks, along a A walkway, especially of planks, along a

beach or waterfront. beach or waterfront.

JabJab To punch (someone) with short To punch (someone) with short

punchespunches

CatcallCatcallA harsh word, phrase, or A harsh word, phrase, or whistle expressing whistle expressing disapproval or making disapproval or making fun of someone.fun of someone.

KneadKnead To squeeze, To squeeze,

press, or roll with press, or roll with the hands, as in the hands, as in massaging massaging

WhimperWhimper To cry or sob with To cry or sob with

soft sounds; whinesoft sounds; whine To complainTo complain

CanvasCanvasThe floor of a ring in which The floor of a ring in which

boxing or wrestling takes placeboxing or wrestling takes place

ClinchClinch To hold a boxing opponent's body To hold a boxing opponent's body

with one or both arms to keep him/her with one or both arms to keep him/her from punching from punching

ProbationProbationA period in which a A period in which a person's fitness, as for person's fitness, as for membership in a social membership in a social group, is testedgroup, is tested

NarcoticNarcoticAn addictive drug, such An addictive drug, such as heroin, that reduces as heroin, that reduces pain, alters mood and pain, alters mood and behavior, and brings on behavior, and brings on sleepsleep

AddictAddictOne who is addicted, One who is addicted, as to narcotics as to narcotics

EmblemEmblemAn object or a An object or a representation that representation that functions as a symbolfunctions as a symbol

UnanimousUnanimouscomplete agreement complete agreement

ShallowShallowLacking depth of Lacking depth of intellect, emotion, or intellect, emotion, or knowledgeknowledge

ShadowboxingShadowboxingTo spar with an imaginary To spar with an imaginary

opponent opponent

Transistor radioTransistor radio

CombinationsCombinations Different punching Different punching

patternspatterns

PlasterPlasterA paste that A paste that

hardens hardens when its when its dried dried

Used to coat Used to coat walls and walls and ceilingsceilings

Literary TermsLiterary Terms

PlotPlotSequence of eventsSequence of events

SettingSettingTime and place of a Time and place of a novelnovel

IronyIronyThe outcome is not The outcome is not what is expectedwhat is expected

NarratorNarratorPerson telling the Person telling the storystory

ConflictConflictStruggle between opposing Struggle between opposing

forces in a novelforces in a novelConflict can be between two Conflict can be between two

people or a character can people or a character can be in conflict with be in conflict with him/herself.him/herself.

ForeshadowingForeshadowingThe author’s use of The author’s use of hints to show the hints to show the reader what events reader what events will followwill follow

ThemeThemeMain idea; central Main idea; central message in a novelmessage in a novel