Literary Devices

Literary Devices “Masque of the Red Death”

Imagery • Use of words and phrases to create mental images in the mind of the reader; they are designed to help the reader visualize and more fully experience the text. • Often involves use of figurative language devices to represent objects, actions, and ideas in such a way to appeal to the reader’s physical senses (taste, touch, smell, sight, sound).

Foreshadowing • Use of particular words or phrases as hints to give the reader an idea of an event that is about to happen. • This literary device is used to build suspense in the story. • These hints or clues are given without revealing or spoiling the plot or the suspense. • These clues can be weaved into the dialogue between characters, in the descriptions of the story, or in the reactions of the characters. • These clues can be obvious or implied (disguised).

Mood • Also sometimes called atmosphere. • The mood is the affect of the story on the reader. In other words, the feeling a story or text creates within the reader. • Mood can be created in various ways. Some possibilities include: setting, attitude of the narrator (tone), and diction. • Through the setting, diction, etc. the author attempts to evoke a certain feeling or emotion from the reader.

Suspense • Suspense is the intense feeling an audience goes through while waiting for the outcome of certain events. • The reader is in anticipation, waiting for more information to be revealed. • Suspense can be built through a series of events that lead to a climax that captivates the audience and makes them anxious for what will happen next. • A feeling of discomfort about the unknown.

Theme • An author’s idea or message about life, society, or human nature. • An author’s view of life and how people behave. • It can provide certain insight about the story. • Theme can be determined by examining the characters, plot, conflict, and author’s tone. • It cannot be expressed in a single word (like “courage” or “friendship.”) It should be expressed as a full statement and supported by evidence in the text.

Misc. Figurative Language Devices • Simile: Comparison of two unlike things using like or as. Ex. The empty house was as quiet as the grave. • Metaphor: Comparison of two unlike things without using like or as. Ex. Tom grinned wolfishly as the group approached his house. • Personification: Giving human-like qualities to animals, objects, or abstract ideas for literary or artistic effect. Ex. The wind screamed as it tore across the deck of the dilapidated boat.

Symbolism • An object or action that means something more than its literal meaning. • It represents something more than itself; another person, idea, concept, or trait. • These objects can include colors, numbers, animals, etc. For example, a dove is often symbolic of peace. The color black can be a symbol of death or evil.

Characterization • How the writer reveals the personality of a character. • It can be direct: The author tells the reader what the personality of the character is. • It can be indirect: Instead of directly stating what the character’s personality is the author shows things that reveal the personality of the character. • Let’s take a look at this handout from ReadWriteThink.org to acquire some strategies to help us with indirect characterization.

“The Masque of the Red Death”

Sources • http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson_images/lesson800/Characterization.pdf • http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson_images/lesson800/theme.pdf • http://literary-devices.com/ • http://www.foreshadowing.org/ • http://www.roanestate.edu/owl/elementslit.html • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mood_(literature) • http://rwc.hunter.cuny.edu/reading-writing/on-line/lit-terms.html • http://www.studyzone.org/mtestprep/ela8/a/lsymbolism.cfm • http://www.muhsd.k12.ca.us/cms/lib5/CA01001051/Centricity/Domain/520/English%203/Unit%201%20--%20Early%20American%20Lit/ArchetypesandSymbols.pdf

Literary Devices