Intro to Literary Studies Final Exam – Complete Study Guide & questions with correct
answers
Historical Context the historical time when a work was written, together with the intellectual and
cultural ideas of this period. To study a work of literature in this perspective is to determine the degree
to which the work not only spoke to the people of its own time but also continues to speak to people of
the present time (and perhaps to people of all time) CORRECT ANSWER Prose Fiction imaginative
prose narratives (short stories and novels) that focus on one or a few characters who undergo a change
or development as they interact with other characters and deal with their problems. CORRECT ANSWER
Review a free-ranging essay on a literary work. Reviews may be designed for general readers and for
readers with specific fields of interest (politics, religion, history, science, family life, etc.) CORRECT
ANSWER Double Entendre "double meaning;" deliberate ambiguity, usually humorous, and often
sexual. CORRECT ANSWER Drama an individual play; also plays considered as a group. One of the
three major genres of imaginative literature. CORRECT ANSWER Dramatic Irony a special kind of
situational irony in which a character is ignorant of his or her true plight, or may perceive it in a limited
way, whereas readers and the audience--and perhaps one of more of the other characters--understand
it fully CORRECT ANSWER Malapropism the comic use of an improperly pronounced word so
that what comes out is a real but also incorrect word. Examples are odorous for odious or pineapple for
pinnacle. The new word must be close enough to the correct word that the resemblance is immediately
recognized, along with the error. CORRECT ANSWER Situational Irony a type of irony emphasizing that
particular characters are enmeshed in forces that greatly exceed their perception, comprehension, and
control. CORRECT ANSWER Verbal Irony language stressing the importance of an idea by stating
the opposite of what is meant. Verbal irony may convey humor, but as often as not it also reflects
seriousness criticism and even bitterness and mockery of particular facets of life and the universe.
CORRECT ANSWER Antagonist the person, idea, force, or general set of circumstances opposing the
protagonist, an essential element of plot. CORRECT ANSWER Character an extended verbal
representation of a human being, the inner self that determines thought, speech, and behavior.
CORRECT ANSWER Dilemma a situation presenting a character with two choices, each one of which is
acceptable, dangerous, or even lethal. CORRECT ANSWER Dynamic Character a character who tries to
assert control by recognition, adjustment, and change. Dynamic changes may be shown in 1) action or
actions 2) the realization of new strength, and therefore, the affirmation of previous decisions 3) the
acceptance of new conditions and the need for making changes and improvements 4) the discovery of
unrecognized truths or 5) the reconciliation of the character with adverse conditions. In a short story,
there is usually only one dynamic character, in a novel, there is usually many. CORRECT ANSWER Flat
Character a character, usually minor, who is not individual but is useful and structural, static and
unchanging, distinguished from a round character. CORRECT ANSWER Hero the major male and
female protagonists in a narrative or drama. The terms are often used to describe leading characters in
adventures or romance. CORRECT ANSWER Protagonist the central character and focus of
interest in a narrative or drama. CORRECT ANSWER Representative Character a flat character with the
qualities of all other members of a group, a stereotype character. CORRECT ANSWER Round Character
a literary character, usually but not necessarily the protagonist of a story or play who is three-
answers
Historical Context the historical time when a work was written, together with the intellectual and
cultural ideas of this period. To study a work of literature in this perspective is to determine the degree
to which the work not only spoke to the people of its own time but also continues to speak to people of
the present time (and perhaps to people of all time) CORRECT ANSWER Prose Fiction imaginative
prose narratives (short stories and novels) that focus on one or a few characters who undergo a change
or development as they interact with other characters and deal with their problems. CORRECT ANSWER
Review a free-ranging essay on a literary work. Reviews may be designed for general readers and for
readers with specific fields of interest (politics, religion, history, science, family life, etc.) CORRECT
ANSWER Double Entendre "double meaning;" deliberate ambiguity, usually humorous, and often
sexual. CORRECT ANSWER Drama an individual play; also plays considered as a group. One of the
three major genres of imaginative literature. CORRECT ANSWER Dramatic Irony a special kind of
situational irony in which a character is ignorant of his or her true plight, or may perceive it in a limited
way, whereas readers and the audience--and perhaps one of more of the other characters--understand
it fully CORRECT ANSWER Malapropism the comic use of an improperly pronounced word so
that what comes out is a real but also incorrect word. Examples are odorous for odious or pineapple for
pinnacle. The new word must be close enough to the correct word that the resemblance is immediately
recognized, along with the error. CORRECT ANSWER Situational Irony a type of irony emphasizing that
particular characters are enmeshed in forces that greatly exceed their perception, comprehension, and
control. CORRECT ANSWER Verbal Irony language stressing the importance of an idea by stating
the opposite of what is meant. Verbal irony may convey humor, but as often as not it also reflects
seriousness criticism and even bitterness and mockery of particular facets of life and the universe.
CORRECT ANSWER Antagonist the person, idea, force, or general set of circumstances opposing the
protagonist, an essential element of plot. CORRECT ANSWER Character an extended verbal
representation of a human being, the inner self that determines thought, speech, and behavior.
CORRECT ANSWER Dilemma a situation presenting a character with two choices, each one of which is
acceptable, dangerous, or even lethal. CORRECT ANSWER Dynamic Character a character who tries to
assert control by recognition, adjustment, and change. Dynamic changes may be shown in 1) action or
actions 2) the realization of new strength, and therefore, the affirmation of previous decisions 3) the
acceptance of new conditions and the need for making changes and improvements 4) the discovery of
unrecognized truths or 5) the reconciliation of the character with adverse conditions. In a short story,
there is usually only one dynamic character, in a novel, there is usually many. CORRECT ANSWER Flat
Character a character, usually minor, who is not individual but is useful and structural, static and
unchanging, distinguished from a round character. CORRECT ANSWER Hero the major male and
female protagonists in a narrative or drama. The terms are often used to describe leading characters in
adventures or romance. CORRECT ANSWER Protagonist the central character and focus of
interest in a narrative or drama. CORRECT ANSWER Representative Character a flat character with the
qualities of all other members of a group, a stereotype character. CORRECT ANSWER Round Character
a literary character, usually but not necessarily the protagonist of a story or play who is three-
