Literary Lexicon - "B" Trivia Quiz

Answer: ballad

A ballad refers to a narrative poem or song, typically of folk origin, that tells a story in a simple and direct manner. Ballads often employ repetitive language, a regular rhyme scheme, and a steady rhythm, making them easily memorable and conducive to oral tellings. These narrative songs frequently deal with themes of love, adventure, tragedy, or the supernatural, and they often feature characters facing dramatic situations or conflicts.

A distinctive feature of the ballad form is its economy of language and vivid imagery, which serve to convey the essence of the story in a concise and evocative manner. An example is the traditional English ballad "Barbara Allen," which recounts the tragic love story of a young man who dies of unrequited love for Barbara Allen, who later regrets her indifference upon his death.

Answer: burlesque

Burlesque, within literary contexts, refers to a genre characterized by its use of humor, exaggeration, and parody to mock or satirize serious subjects, often in a playful or irreverent manner. This form of entertainment typically involves the subversion of traditional literary or cultural conventions through comedic techniques, such as irony, wordplay, and absurdity. A quintessential example of burlesque can be found in the works of English playwright William Shakespeare, particularly in his comedic plays like "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and "Twelfth Night." These works employ elements of burlesque to lampoon societal norms, gender roles, and romantic conventions, while also providing audiences with entertaining and thought-provoking performances.

In modern contexts, the term "burlesque" has also come to be associated with bawdiness and risqué humor, particularly in the realm of performance art and cabaret shows. Contemporary burlesque acts often incorporate elements of striptease, exaggerated costumes, and suggestive choreography to evoke a sense of playfulness and sensuality, while still retaining the satirical and comedic elements inherent in the genre.

Answer: biography

A biography refers to a written account of a person's life, detailing their experiences, achievements, and significant events. It provides readers with a comprehensive understanding of the subject's character, motivations, and contributions to society. Unlike autobiographies, which are self-authored, biographies are written by another individual or author, often based on extensive research and interviews with people who knew the subject.

A notable example is Walter Isaacson's biography of Benjamin Franklin, which offers a comprehensive portrayal of the Founding Father's life, from his humble beginnings to his rise as a statesman, inventor, and diplomat. Through meticulous research and analysis of Franklin's writings, Isaacson delves into the complexities of Franklin's character, his intellectual pursuits, and his enduring impact on American history and culture.

Answer: bathos

Bathos refers to a sudden and jarring shift in tone or mood within a work, resulting in an intended (or sometimes unintended) descent from the sublime to the trivial or ridiculous. This phenomenon occurs when an author's attempt to evoke deep emotion or high seriousness is undercut by an abrupt transition to a mundane or trivial subject matter, resulting in an anticlimactic or absurd effect. Bathos often arises from a failure to maintain consistency in tone or from an overreliance on melodramatic or exaggerated language.

An example of bathos can be found in Alexander Pope's mock-heroic poem "The Rape of the Lock," where a grandiose and epic tone is humorously deflated in the description of Belinda's lost lock of hair as "with parting tears the [lock] receive," juxtaposed with the triviality of the event. Through this abrupt shift in tone, Pope satirizes the exaggerated seriousness often associated with trivial matters in society. Another common example might be found in Douglas Adams "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" in which the characters ready themselves to be told the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, The Universe, and Everything only for it be the number 42.

Answer: Beat poetry

Beat poetry refers to a literary movement that emerged in the 1950s, primarily in the United States, characterized by its rejection of traditional poetic forms and its embrace of spontaneous, free-flowing expression. Beat poets, including Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, and Lawrence Ferlinghetti, sought to challenge societal norms and conventions through their poetry, addressing themes of rebellion, alienation, spirituality, and the search for authenticity. Beat poetry is known for its improvisational style, rhythmic cadence, and raw emotional intensity, often drawing inspiration from jazz music, Eastern spirituality, and urban counterculture.

A quintessential example of Beat poetry is Allen Ginsberg's poem "Howl," which captures the disillusionment and discontentment of the post-war generation. Through its vivid imagery, unconventional structure, and impassioned language, "Howl" expresses the poet's critique of mainstream society and his longing for spiritual and emotional liberation.

Answer: bildungsroman

Bildungsroman refers to a genre of novel that focuses on the psychological and moral growth of a protagonist from youth to adulthood. The term, which originated in German literature, translates to "novel of formation" or "novel of education." Bildungsroman typically follows the journey of the protagonist as they navigate the challenges, experiences, and conflicts that shape their identity and worldview. These novels often depict the protagonist's coming-of-age process, exploring themes such as self-discovery, identity formation, and the search for meaning and purpose in life.

A notable real-world example of bildungsroman is "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee. The novel follows the experiences of Scout Finch, a young girl growing up in the racially segregated South during the 1930s. Through Scout's interactions with her family, neighbors, and community members, the novel explores themes of racial injustice, moral growth, and the loss of innocence. As Scout learns about empathy, courage, and the complexities of human nature, she undergoes a profound transformation, ultimately coming to understand the importance of compassion and integrity.

Answer: Byronic hero

In literary discourse, the Byronic hero refers to a character archetype popularized by the Romantic poet Lord Byron in his works, particularly in his narrative poem "Childe Harold's Pilgrimage" and his dramatic poem "Manfred." The Byronic hero is typically portrayed as a brooding, mysterious, and morally ambiguous figure who possesses a complex blend of admirable qualities and inherent flaws. These characters often exhibit traits such as rebelliousness, introspection, passion, and a sense of alienation from society. Byronic heroes are characterized by their dark and tortured pasts, their tendency towards self-destructive behavior, and their romantic and enigmatic personas.

An example of the Byronic hero can be found in the character of Heathcliff from Emily Brontë's novel "Wuthering Heights." Heathcliff embodies many of the qualities associated with the Byronic hero, including his intense and passionate nature, his troubled upbringing, and his outsider status within society. Despite his cruel and vengeful actions, Heathcliff elicits sympathy from readers due to his deep-seated emotional turmoil and his unyielding love for Catherine Earnshaw.

Answer: bombast

In literary discourse, bombast refers to inflated, pompous, or pretentious language used to impress or exaggerate without substance. It involves the use of grandiose or flowery language that is excessive or over-the-top, often to create a false sense of importance or sophistication. Bombast can detract from the clarity and effectiveness of a text by obscuring meaning or overwhelming the reader with unnecessary verbosity.

An example of bombast can be found in the speeches of certain political leaders, where exaggerated rhetoric and hyperbolic language are employed to evoke strong emotions or rally support. For instance, a politician may use bombastic language to exaggerate their accomplishments or vilify their opponents, relying on extravagant and bombastic rhetoric to sway public opinion. Through the strategic use of bombast, speakers may attempt to appear more authoritative or persuasive, but they risk alienating audiences who perceive the language as insincere or manipulative.

Answer: bibliography

A bibliography is a comprehensive list of sources, typically books, articles, and other documents, that an author has consulted or referenced in the creation of their work. It serves as a scholarly record of the research and scholarship that has informed the author's writing, providing readers with valuable insights into the sources that have shaped the text. Bibliographies are commonly included at the end of academic papers, books, or articles, and they are formatted according to specific citation styles, such as MLA, APA, or Chicago.

Answer: belles-lettres

Belles-lettres, in its broadest definition, encompasses not only traditional literary genres such as fiction and poetry but also a broader range of creative and artistic writing, including essays, speeches, and other forms of nonfiction. These literary works are valued for their aesthetic qualities, stylistic excellence, and artistic merit, rather than their practical or utilitarian purposes. Examples outside this definition include dictionaries, encyclopedias, scientific studies, user guides, etc.

In modern contexts, the term "belles-lettres" sometimes refers to works outside the typical literary groups (novels, poetry, plays), encompassing the difficult-to-categorize works such as essays, letters, speeches, etc.