Literary Devices (Content) Review

Question 1

character (or other force) that presents an obstacle or is in direct conflict with the protagonist

Accepted Answer

antagonist

Question 2

a struggle or clash between opposing characters, forces or emotions

Accepted Answer

conflict

Question 3

a recurring unifying element in an artistic work

Accepted Answer

motif

Question 4

any object or action that represents something beyond itself

Accepted Answer

symbol

Question 5

“showing” who a character is through their speech, thoughts, actions, or appearance

Accepted Answer

indirect characterization

Question 6

insight into the human condition; central message

Accepted Answer

theme

Question 7

when a character struggles against an outside force

Accepted Answer

external conflict

Question 8

an event/situation that turns out to be the opposite of what is expected or appropriate

Accepted Answer

situational irony

Question 9

a character that serves by contrast to highlight or emphasize opposing traits in another character

Accepted Answer

foil character

Question 10

a character that does not change much from the start of the story to the end

Accepted Answer

static character

Question 11

“telling" who a character is through the use of descriptive adjectives

Accepted Answer

direct characterization

Question 12

a main character who lacks traditional heroic attributes such as idealism, courage and morality

Accepted Answer

antihero

Question 13

a struggle between opposite needs, desires or emotions within a single character

Accepted Answer

internal conflict

Question 14

the central character of a story

Accepted Answer

protagonist

Question 15

when the audience knows something that characters do not

Accepted Answer

dramatic irony

Question 16

a character that changes in a significant way from the story’s start to its finish

Accepted Answer

dynamic character

Question 17

a series of related events that make up a story

Accepted Answer

plot

Question 18

the process by which a writer reveals the personality of a character

Accepted Answer

characterization

Question 19

a basically good person who has a fatal flaw which leads to their downfall

Accepted Answer

tragic hero

Question 20

the driving force behind a character’s action

Accepted Answer

motivation

Questions 20