ENGLISH 10 Literary Terms
These terms will better prepare you for standardized tests in high school. Many of these terms have been juxtaposed with the plot of the movie, The Count of Monte Cristo.
STORY SUMMARY AND VOCABULARY. Highlight bold words and definitions in YELLOW).
The Count of Monte Cristo is Alexandre Dumas' classic story of an innocent man wrongly but deliberately imprisoned and his brilliant strategy for revenge against those who betrayed him.
Dashing young sailor Edmond Dantes (JIM CAVIEZEL) is a guileless (naïve; sincere) and honest young man whose peaceful life and impending marriage to the beautiful Mercedes (DAGMARA DOMINCZYK) are abruptly shattered when his best friend Fernand (GUY PEARCE) deceives him. Unlawfully sentenced to the infamous island prison of Chateau D'If, Edmond is trapped in a nightmare that lasts for thirteen years.
Haunted by the baffling (confusing; perplexing) course his life has taken, Dantes abandons his sense of right and wrong and becomes consumed by thoughts of vengeance (revenge) against those who betrayed him. With the help of a priest Abbe Faria (RICHARD HARRIS), he succeeds in his mission to escape from prison, whereupon he transforms himself into the mysterious and wealthy Count of Monte Cristo.
With cunning (sly; crafty; deceitful) ruthlessness, he cleverly places himself into the French nobility and systematically (to execute a plan from “A – Z”) destroys the men who manipulated (using one’s skill and influence to influence someone) and enslaved (controlled; dominated) him.
Characters
1. Antagonist – forces that come against the protagonist (nature, man, society, or himself). Fernand Mondego; Hermine Danglars; Monsieur Gerard de Villefort
2. Protagonist – the central character faced with a conflict. Edmond Dantes
3. Round/Dynamic – the character that expresses emotion and changes during the course of the story: matures, learns something about him/herself or about his/her life. Very often, a protagonist will be a dynamic character. Edmond Dantes changes from a guileless young man to a sophisticated and successful aristocrat.
4. Flat/Static – minor characters who play only a slight role in the story are often flat, one-dimensional characters. This character remains the same throughout the story: They do not mature, develop, or learn. A protagonist can be a static character, for that might be the writer’s point – his/her particular character cannot or will not change. Fernand Mondego is malevolent and remains that way throughout the movie.
The main characters from the movie. Circle whether the character is “flat” or “round”.
■ Edmond Dantes, the protagonist: Flat or Round
■ Fernand Mondego, the antagonist: Flat or Round
■ Mercedes Iguanada, the girlfriend/wife: Flat or Round
■ Napoleon Bonaparte: Flat or Round
■ Clarion de Villefort: Flat or Round
■ Monsieur Morell: Flat or Round
■ Monsieur Gerard de Villefort, the chief magistrate: Flat or Round
■ Armand Dorleac, warden of Chateau d’if: Flat or Round
■ Abbe Faria, the priest: Flat or Round
■ Albert, the son: Flat or Round
■ Hermine Danglars: Flat or Round
■ Jacopo: Flat or Round
■ Luigi Vampa: Flat or Round
Methods of Presenting Character in a Story
Direct Characterization – the author TELLS us directly what the characters
are like, or someone else in the story tells us. The author may
directly mention physical descriptions, personalities, etc.
Indirect Characterization – the author SHOWS the character IN ACTION.
The reader infers what the character is like by what that person does, says, and/or thinks. When one infers, he or she is using INFERENCE (“reading between the lines”). Notice Fernand Mondego’s facial expressions … what can you infer about him?
Setting – The environment or surroundings
Place – this could be geographical location (i.e. island of Elba or Marseilles,
France) or something familiar (i.e. boat)
Time – referring to a time period or even a specific season. The Count of
Monte Cristo takes place in the early 1800s, with the main plot taking place in Marseilles.
Mood – the feeling or emotion the author wishes to project in his/her
writing. Music creates a mood during a movie. Notice how the music changes when certain characters appear in the plot.
Plot Line – the sequence of events in a story
A. Exhibition – the beginning of the story where the key characters, setting, tone, and mood are established. We are introduced to the main characters: Edmond, Fernand, and Mercedes. The mood is one of desperation.
B. Narrative Hook – this is where the main conflict is introduced which sends the story into its rising action. The author attempts to “hook” your attention, so you will continue reading or watching. Edmond is taken to the Chateau d’If for treason. The conflict is introduced … there are many conflicts in the story. One conflict is Edmond’s loss of faith in God.
Conflict – a Clash of actions, ideas or wills
External Conflict (occurs from an outside force) Internal Conflict (occurs within a person)
1. EXTERNAL. Man vs. Man: Edmond and Fernand’s sword fight; Edmond plots revenge on his enemies
2. EXTERNAL. Man vs. Society: Edmond takes justice in his own hands, because the government (society) is corrupt.
3. EXTERNAL. Man vs. Nature: Edmond struggles in the water to be free.
4. EXTERNAL. Man vs. Fate or Destiny: Edmond is sent to prison and but is “reborn” as the Count of Monte Cristo.
5. INTERNAL. Man vs. Himself: Edmond chooses not to let go of his hate; he struggles with his faith in God.
C. Rising Action – a series of conflicts that build upon each other to a point where the protagonist must address the conflict. The events leading from Edmond’s escape from prison to transforming himself into The Count of Monte Cristo.
D. Climax – the turning point of the story in which the character directly addresses the conflict. It is the highest point of tension in a story. The sword fight between Edmond and Fernand is climatic.
E. Falling Action – the events that occur as a direct result of the climatic incident. Edmond unites his family.
F. Resolution or Denouement – when all of the loose ends are “tied up” and the conflict is resolved. Edmond’s faith in God is restored.
TERMINOLOGY FOUND IN THE MOVIE
Allusion:- a Biblical, historical, or literary reference mentioned in a book or movie
1. Edmond is reading The Prince, a classic written by Niccolò Machiavelli focusing on how to rule a kingdom.
2. As Edmond and Fernand sail back to France, Napoleon states, “Kings and pawns. Emperors … and fools.” Napoleon alludes to the fact he, himself, is an emperor and Edmond is a fool for delivering a treasonous letter to Clarion.
Anecdote - a very short tale told by a character in a literary work.
1. While “on the rocks” with Mercedes, Fernand tries to seduce her. She tells him the following: “Remember when we were kids and Edmond got that whistle for his birthday, and you got a pony? You were so mad Edmond was happier with his whistle than you were with your pony. I’m not going to be your next whistle.” The whistle symbolizes the object (Mercedes) that Fernand will never receive.
2. Abbe Faria relates the time when Napoleon orders him to burn a church housing a band of guerrillas seeking sanctuary. He continues by stating that he deserted Napoleon’s army the next day and began working as a private secretary for the wealthy Count Erique Spada. Two weeks after Spada died, Napoleon imprisoned Abbe Faria for not divulging the location of Spada’s wealth.
3. Abbe Faria alludes to Newton’s 3rd law and states, “There is a reaction to every action in physics … and in man.”
Aphorism - a brief statement which expresses an observation on life, usually intended as a wise observation. As Dantes enters his cell, he notes a statement on the wall: “God will give me justice.”
Flashback - a reference made to a prior event in a story or movie.
1. When Fernand tells Edmond he read the letter from Napoleon, the scene returns to the evening when Fernand took the letter from Edmond in the middle of the night and read it.
2. Abbe Faria prompts Edmond to think about the chain of events that caused his imprisonment. The scene flashes back to when Villefort rearrests Edmond AFTER learning that the treasonous letter was meant for Clarion – Villefort’s father!
Foil Character – a character who illuminates the qualities of another character by means of contrast ... usually the foil character is the antagonist who contrasts with the protagonist or a main character. In The Count of Monte Cristo, Fernand is a foil character – his malevolent character contrasts the goodness of Edmond.
Foreshadowing – the author gives the reader clues about what will happen later in the story.
1. The beginning sword fight between Edmond and Fernand foreshadows a much bigger duel later in the movie.
2. Also, Fernand tells Edmond, “It’s a pity adventurers can’t always be friends though, huh?”
Irony - a situation involving some kind of incongruity or discrepancy
A. VERBAL IRONY: what is said is the opposite of what is meant. It is not caustic or critical for that would be sarcasm.
1. Upon realizing that Edmond grabbed the keys and took Dorleac with him over the cliff, the jailer states, “We could have handled that better.”
2. When asking Fernand for permission to dance with
Mercedes, Edmond asks, “May I steal your wife?”
B. DRAMATIC IRONY: we know something another character doesn’t know. We know that Albert is the son of Edmond Dantes, but they are both ignorant of the situation.
C. SITUATIONAL IRONY: a situation that turns out to be very different from what was expected: the difference between what is expected to happen and what actually does. We don’t expect Albert to be the son of Edmond Dantes.
Suspense - the quality in the story that FORCES the reader to ask, “What is going to happen next?”
Two primary ways an author introduces SUSPENSE:
A. DILEMMA: a situation in which a character must choose between two courses of action, both undesirable. Should Fernand betray
Edmond to Danglars by sending Dantes to prison or should he allow Dantes to be successful and thus be tormented with jealousy?
B. AN ELEMENT OF MYSTERY: an unusual set of circumstances for which the readers crave an explanation. Why is Fernand so jealous of
Edmond?
Symbolism - An object, person, or situation represents something with deeper meaning.
1. A reference is made to a chess piece known as a “king” … the king symbolizes triumph/victory. After Dantes is promoted as captain on The Phareon, he states, “King of the moment.”
2. The candle symbolizes life … after the candle is extinguished, we learn that Captain Reynaud is dead.
3. Mercedes creates a ring out of string and promises it will never leave her finger. This act symbolizes her total commitment to Edmond.
4. For example, when Dantès escapes from prison, he plunges into the ocean - experiencing a baptism and a renewed dedication of his soul to carry out revenge on his enemies. He is washed in the waters that lead him to freedom, and his rebirth (transformation) is complete.
Theme - the central idea of the story; a “life lesson”. One of the themes in the movie is justice. Edmond takes matters “into his own hands” after he sees how the government is rewarding his enemies.
Understatement - a statement which lessens or minimizes the importance of what is meant. For example, imagine being in the desert and smoldering in the 125 degree heat. Your friend states, “It’s a little warm today.” That would be an understatement, because it is smoldering outside.
1. After witnessing the sword and gun fighting between the English and French, the verbal tirades with Lieutenant Graypool, and the impending death of Captain Reynaud, Napoleon states, “It has been an eventful evening.”
2. Also, Fernand Mondego tells Edmond, “Oh, it’s complicated.” Edmond echos the same words later in the movie … but with an ominous tone.
MORE Literary Terms
Allegory: a narrative in which literal meaning corresponds clearly and directly to symbolic meaning. For example, the literal story in John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress – Christian’s journey from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City – is an allegory for the spiritual journey from sin to holiness. The characters or events represent abstract ideas such as greed, temptation, or perseverance.
The novel, Animal Farm by George Orwell, is an allegory of the Russian Revolution of 1917. Each character, setting, and situation has a parallel to the Russian Revolution as well as to other historical events.
Ambiguity: A statement which can contain two or more meanings. For example, the oracle at Delphi tells Croesus that if he wages war on Cyrus the Great he would destroy a great empire. Croesus thinks the oracle means his enemy’s empire. In fact, the empire Croesus destroys his own empire.
Diction: an author’s choice of words. Since words have specific meanings, and since one’s choice of words can affect feelings, a writer’s choice of words can have a great impact in a literary work. Diction creates imagery …
Euphemism: substituting a mild word or more pleasant phrase for an undesirable word. For example, when a parent substitutes the word “sleeping” when explaining that grandma is dead. Other euphemisms are not exactly thinfor "fat";not completely truthfulfor "lied.
Figurative Language: Figurative language uses "figures of speech" (similes, metaphors, personification, synecdoche, apostrophe, oxymoron, etc.) to state something other than the literal meaning of the words.
Figurative language is a creative way to express oneself. Read the poem “A Red, Red Rose” by Scottish poet Robert Burns(25 January 1759 – 21 July 1796):
O, my luve's like a red, red rose,
That's newly sprung in June.
O, my luve's like the melodie,
That's sweetly play'd in tune.
As fair art thou, my bonie lass,
So deep in luve am I,
And I will luve thee still, my Dear,
Till a' the seas gang dry.
Till a' the seas gang dry, my Dear,
And the rocks melt wi' the sun!
O I will luve thee still, my Dear,
While the sands o' life shall run.
And fare thee weel, my only Luve,
And fare thee weel a while!
And I will come again, my Luve,
Tho' it were ten thousand mile!