Literary Lexicon - "E" Trivia Quiz

Answer: elegy

An elegy is a poetic form that expresses sorrow, mourning, or lamentation, typically in response to the death of an individual or the contemplation of loss. Elegies often follow a reflective tone and explore themes of grief, memory, and the passage of time, while also attempting to find meaning or solace in the midst of mourning. Traditionally, elegies move from sorrow to a sense of resolution or acceptance, although not all adhere strictly to this structure. They serve not only as an expression of personal grief but often also address universal themes related to death and the human experience.

A prominent example of an elegy is Thomas Gray's "Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard". In this poem, Gray reflects on death and the lives of common, unknown people buried in the churchyard. Gray's elegy moves beyond personal grief to consider mortality in general, contemplating the shared fate that unites all people, regardless of status.

Answer: exposition

Exposition refers to the portion of a narrative that provides essential background information, such as details about the characters, setting, and initial circumstances, necessary for the reader to understand the story. It usually appears at the beginning of a work, though it can also be woven into the narrative later as needed. Exposition serves to establish the context of the story and set up the plot, often including explanations of prior events or introducing key characters and relationships. While it's an essential element of storytelling, successful exposition must be well-integrated into the narrative to avoid feeling overly instructive or interrupting the flow of the plot.

A well-known example of exposition is found in the opening chapter of F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel "The Great Gatsby". The narrator, Nick Carraway, provides detailed background information about himself, his family, and his decision to move to New York. He also introduces important characters, such as Tom and Daisy Buchanan, and the setting of West Egg and East Egg.

Answer: enjambment

Enjambment is a literary device in poetry where a sentence or phrase flows over from one line to the next without a pause or terminal punctuation, creating a sense of continuation and fluidity. This technique encourages the reader to move quickly through the poem, adding to its momentum and emotional intensity. By disrupting the expected pauses at the end of lines, enjambment can create tension or emphasize particular words.

A famous example of enjambment is Gwendolyn Brooks' poem "We Real Cool". In this poem, each line ends with "We," but the action of the line spills into the next:

"We real cool. We
Left school. We
Lurk late. We
Strike straight."

Here, Brooks employs enjambment to create a sense of immediacy and rhythmic momentum. By placing "We" at the end of each line, the poem mimics the fragmented, yet defiant voices of the young men the poem portrays. This technique not only reinforces the brevity and sharpness of their statements but also emphasizes the collective identity of the group.

Answer: encomium

An encomium is a formal expression of high praise or tribute, often directed toward a person, event, or idea. Historically, it originated in ancient Greece, where it was used as a form of oratory to celebrate notable figures, such as heroes or rulers, during public events or ceremonies. In literature, encomium can take the form of speeches, poems, or written works that laud the virtues, achievements, or qualities of the subject. The purpose of an encomium is to elevate and honor, often employing grand, eloquent language to emphasize the subject's excellence.

An example of an encomium is John Milton's sonnet "On Shakespeare". In this poem, Milton praises William Shakespeare's literary genius, stating that his works will outlast physical monuments and that his readers' admiration is the true and enduring memorial to his greatness: "Thou in our wonder and astonishment / Hast built thyself a livelong monument."

Answer: etymology

Etymology refers to the study of the origin and historical development of words, tracing how their meanings, forms, and usage have evolved over time. Etymology explores the roots of words, often from ancient languages such as Latin, Greek, or Old English, and examines how these words have transformed through linguistic and cultural shifts. By understanding a word's etymology, scholars and readers gain deeper insights into its original meaning, connotations, and how its usage has changed across different contexts or time periods.

Answer: ethos

In the field of rhetoric, ethos refers to the appeal to credibility or character used by a speaker or writer to persuade an audience. It is one of the three modes of persuasion, along with pathos (appeal to emotion) and logos (appeal to logic), as defined by Aristotle. Ethos relies on the audience's perception of the speaker's trustworthiness, authority, and expertise. A speaker's or writer's ethos is established through their reputation, qualifications, or the demonstration of good moral character and sincerity in the communication itself. The stronger the ethos, the more likely an audience is to accept the argument being presented.

An historical example of ethos can be found in Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letter from Birmingham Jail". In this letter, King establishes his credibility as a moral leader and a knowledgeable authority on civil rights by referencing his experience as a preacher and his role in the nonviolent resistance movement. He writes, "I am in Birmingham because injustice is here," positioning himself as a figure of integrity who is morally compelled to act.

Answer: epistolary

The term epistolary refers to a literary genre or narrative style that is composed primarily of letters, diary entries, or other forms of written correspondence. An epistolary novel or work uses these documents to tell the story, often allowing multiple characters' perspectives to emerge through their written exchanges. This format enables a sense of immediacy and intimacy, as readers experience the events of the story through the direct voices of the characters. Additionally, the epistolary form can enhance themes of subjectivity, as characters may provide biased or unreliable accounts based on their personal viewpoints.

A well-known example of an epistolary novel is Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein". The novel begins and ends with letters from Captain Walton, a ship's captain who encounters Victor Frankenstein in the Arctic. Within Walton's letters, Frankenstein recounts his own story, including the creation of the monster and the tragic consequences that follow. This layered epistolary structure allows the reader to see the events unfold from multiple angles - Walton's, Frankenstein's, and at times, the monster's own perspective.

Answer: eponym

An eponym is a term in literature and language that refers to a person, real or fictional, after whom a particular place, invention, concept, or work is named. In other words, an eponym occurs when a name becomes synonymous with something beyond the individual, often embodying a larger idea, characteristic, or cultural significance. Eponyms can be found in various forms, from common language (such as "sandwich" from the Earl of Sandwich) to titles of literary works and characters who lend their names to entire genres or symbolic meanings.

A well-known example of an eponym in literature is the term "Orwellian", derived from the name of the British author George Orwell. This eponym is used to describe political ideas or societal conditions that resemble the totalitarian regimes Orwell depicted in his novel "1984". The adjective "Orwellian" has come to signify oppressive government control, surveillance, and manipulation of truth, directly tied to the themes in Orwell's work.

Answer: epilogue

An epilogue is a final section of a literary work that provides closure or additional insight into the aftermath of the main events. It often reveals the future of the characters or offers reflection on the themes of the story. The epilogue allows the author to extend the narrative beyond the resolution of the plot, providing a sense of completeness or thematic finality. While it is often used to bring closure to the story, an epilogue can also introduce new questions or ideas, encouraging readers to think more deeply about the work's broader implications.

A famous epilogue can be found in William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet". In the final scene, after the deaths of the two young lovers, the Prince of Verona delivers an epilogue that reflects on the tragic consequences of the feud between the Montagues and Capulets. The Prince's speech emphasizes the senselessness of the conflict and the high cost of the families' enmity, providing a moral reflection on the events of the play.

Answer: euphemism

A euphemism is a literary device used to replace a harsh, blunt, or unpleasant expression with a more gentle or polite one. Euphemisms are often employed to soften the impact of difficult subjects, such as death, illness, or socially sensitive topics, making them more palatable for the audience. By substituting direct language with more delicate or vague terms, writers can address uncomfortable issues while maintaining a tone that is less confrontational or offensive. Euphemisms also serve to reflect cultural norms, where certain topics may be considered taboo or require a level of discretion.

An example of a euphemism in everyday life is the phrase "passed away" instead of the more direct "died." In literature, euphemisms are frequently used to soften the impact of tragic events or to adhere to social conventions. They may be used to help the reader reflect on an idea in a new way, or they can use kind, almost friendly, language to create a juxtaposition that reveals the horror of the original idea. For instance, in George Orwell's "Animal Farm", the phrase "readjustment of rations" is used as a euphemism for reducing the animals' food portions. This choice of language minimizes the harsh reality of the situation and reflects how those in power manipulate language to maintain control.