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C2 Level Wordlist - Literature

Here you will learn all the essential words for talking about Literature, collected specifically for level C2 learners.

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CEFR C2 Vocabulary

a figure of speech in which a part of something represents the whole or vice versa

Ex: The term " mouths to feed " is an example synecdoche, where " mouths " are used to represent people who need to be fed , typically in the context of providing for a family .
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villainous character who strongly opposes another person or thing

Ex: Throughout the story , the protagonist 's struggle against antagonist served as a metaphor for larger themes of good versus evil and the resilience of the human spirit .
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the main character in a movie, novel, TV show, etc.

Ex: protagonist's quest for redemption and forgiveness forms the emotional core of the narrative , resonating with audiences on a deeply human level .
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a literary technique in which an introductory narrative serves as a frame for another story or a series of shorter stories

Ex: frame story provides a meta-narrative framework that invites readers to reflect on the nature of storytelling itself , blurring the lines between fiction and reality .
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conceit
[noun]

an elaborate image or a far-fetched metaphor, used in poetry

Ex: conceit, the poet explores the interconnectedness of nature and humanity , drawing parallels between the cycles of the natural world and the rhythms of human life .
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hyperbole
[noun]

a technique used in speech and writing to exaggerate the extent of something

Ex: The politician 's speech was rife hyperbole, promising to " solve all of society 's problems overnight " if elected .
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epigraph
[noun]

a short quotation or phrase that is written at the beginning of a book or any chapter of it, suggesting the theme

Ex: epigraph provided a thought-provoking entry point into the text , inviting readers to contemplate its meaning and relevance before delving into the story .
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a collection of various items, such as literary pieces, poems, letters, etc., gathered from different sources

Ex: As they sorted through the atticmiscellanea, they stumbled upon a dusty old journal that revealed secrets long forgotten by their ancestors .
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whodunit
[noun]

a story, play, movie, etc. about a mystery or murder that the audience cannot solve until the end

Ex: The TV series became a hit for its whodunit plotlines , where each episode presented a new mystery for the viewers to solve .
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codex
[noun]

an ancient book, written by hand, especially of scriptures, classics, etc.

Ex: The monastery 's library houses a remarkable collection codices, each one meticulously copied and illustrated by hand by dedicated scribes .
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parable
[noun]

a brief symbolic story that is told to send a moral or religious message

Ex: The ancient parable of the tortoise and the hare teaches the importance of perseverance and humility over arrogance and haste.
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zeugma
[noun]

the use of a word with two senses each of which apply to a different word in a sentence, as a figure of speech

Ex: The English teacher zeugma by illustrating how one verb could link both a literal and a figurative object in a sentence .
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allegory
[noun]

a story, poem, etc. in which the characters and events are used as symbols to convey moral or political lessons

Ex: The children 's book uses allegory to teach lessons about friendship and teamwork through a story about a group of animals working together .
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allusion
[noun]

a statement that implies or indirectly mentions something or someone else, especially as a literary device

Ex: The poetallusion to Icarus served as a cautionary tale about the dangers of overambition and hubris .
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a concise version of a lengthy play, novel, etc.

Ex: While some purists prefer the full version , abridgment of the epic poem has found favor with those new to the genre .
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foil
[noun]

a character in a story who contrasts with another character, typically the protagonist, in order to highlight particular qualities of the other character

Ex: In the story , the antagonist 's ruthless ambition acts as foil to the protagonist 's compassionate leadership , showcasing the moral differences between them .
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oxymoron
[noun]

a figure of speech that combines two contradictory or contrasting terms to create a unique expression

Ex: The poet 's use of " cruel kindness " as oxymoron underscores the paradoxical nature of actions meant to help but causing pain .
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the act of giving a clue of the future events to the audience in advance while narrating a story

Ex: The mysterious stranger's ominous warning served as foreshadowing for the danger lurking ahead.
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the act of placing two things side by side to produce a contrasting effect

Ex: juxtaposition of the old and the new in the architecture of the city showcased its rich history while also reflecting its modern development .
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a literary genre that uses self-reflexive techniques to draw attention to its status as a work of fiction, blurring the lines between reality and fiction

Ex: metafiction, the author explored themes of authorship , narrative structure , and the relationship between fiction and reality , challenging readers to think critically about the nature of storytelling .
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a novel that focuses on the psychological and moral growth of its main character from youth to adulthood

Ex: bildungsroman genre has produced some of literature 's most beloved works , capturing the universal struggles and triumphs of growing up .
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elegy
[noun]

a song or poem expressing sadness, especially in the memory of a dead person or a bitter event in the past

Ex: Through elegy, the poet found catharsis in expressing their grief and honoring the memory of the departed .
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cacophony
[noun]

a literary device that uses a mixture of unpleasant, inharmonious, and harsh sounds to show disorder or chaos

Ex: cacophony of sounds in the short story mirrored the protagonist 's descent into madness , with each noise amplifying their sense of paranoia and fear .
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motif
[noun]

a subject, idea, or phrase that is repeatedly used in a literary work

Ex: motif of " nature versus civilization " serves as a central theme in the story , highlighting the tension between humanity 's primal instincts and societal norms .
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simile
[noun]

a word or phrase that compares two things or people, highlighting the similarities, often introduced by 'like' or 'as'

Ex: The poet 's use of simile comparing the stars to diamonds in the sky adds a touch of beauty and sparkle to the nighttime landscape .
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eclogue
[noun]

a form of poetry that originated in ancient Greek and Roman literature, typically consisting of a short, pastoral poem or dialogue between two shepherds

Ex: The pastoral eclogue served as a literary escape from the complexities of urban society, offering readers a glimpse into an idealized world of harmony and tranquility.
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royalty
[noun]

a payment made to the author or creator of a work for each copy of the work that is sold

Ex: The playwright negotiated a royalty agreement for the performance rights to their play , ensuring they would benefit financially from its continued popularity .
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a literary device in which the answer to a question is not logical, creating an absurd or comic effect

Ex: The author non sequitur as a literary device to disrupt the flow of the narrative , adding an element of unpredictability to the story .
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canonical
[Adjective]

(of an author or literary work) accepted as highly acclaimed authors or pieces of literature, which are collectively referred to as the literary canon

Ex: The student 's thesis explored themes of identity and power canonical literature , examining how these works have shaped cultural narratives over time .
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epistolary
[Adjective]

(literature) relating to a form of work that uses letters or written documents as the primary mode of communication among fictional characters

Ex: Samuel Richardson 's pioneering 18th century novel " Pamela " epistolary literature highly influential .
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