English Literature Toetsweek 1
Mirror of society. Literature is a mirror of society: because it reflects and comments on
aspects of things people encounter in their daily lives
Literary devices
Literary devices are strategies writers use to strengthen ideas, add personality to a text, and
ultimately communicate more effectively.
1. Point of view. This refers to the person telling the story: first-person, second-person,
third-person omniscient/subjective.
2. Simile. A figure of speech in which two unlike objects are compared using the words
´like´ or ´as´.
3. Metaphor. A figure of speech in which a comparison between two unlike objects is
suggested or implied.
4. Irony.
- Dramatic: One character is ignorant of something that the other characters and
reader know.
- Verbal: a contrast between what is said or written and what is really meant.
5. Symbolism. An object, person or event that represents an idea or a set of ideas.
6. Flashback. A scene of series of scenes showing events that happened at an earlier
time.
7. Foreshadowing. Clues that the author gives to suggest event that will occur later in
the book.
Literary Elements.
Literary elements are the universal elements of literature and can therefore be found in an
oral or written story. These things are necessary in a story.
1. Setting. The time and place in which a story occurs.
2. Characters. Revealed by what they say and do and by what others say about them.
3. Conflict. A struggle between two opposing forces. An external conflict is a struggle
against an outside force. An internal conflict is a personal struggle that takes place
within a character´s mind.
4. Mood. Mood is the overall atmosphere or feeling of a literary work. Happiness or
sadness, terror or tranquillity.
5. Author´s purpose. A writer´s purpose may be to inform, entertain or persuade the
reader, or to express an idea. Sometimes the author has more than one purpose.
6. Theme. An author usually writes a story to communicate a general message about
life and how people behave. This message, or theme, can typically be stated in once
sentence. A long literary work may have more than one theme.
, Victorian age.
- Queen Victoria reigned
- About to reach perfection
- Strict Morals
British social classes, 1851
Aristocracy, powerful and wealthy
Middle-class, ran the businesses, ambitious and growing in wealth
The poor – in the villages, in the towns and working as servants in the homes of the
rich – were very poor
British social classes starting to fall apart, 1900
The aristocracy had lost their power over Parliament, and some were beginning to
experience financial problems
The middle-class businessmen were facing competition from Germany and America
The working-class were beginning to grow in prosperity and influence
Upper class life in the Industrial Era
Birth mattered more than income. You were born into the high society, it isn´t
something you can really work in to.
Rich boys had male tutors and nannies. Public school > Oxford/Cambridge > gain
experience necessary to take a leading role in society
Girls were educated at home by a governess, learning about literature, languages,
art, music and embroidery. Intended to support their husbands once their married.
Boys inherit, girls don´t
Town house and a country house, with lots of servants
Oscar Wilde
Playwright, essayist, poet, conversationalist.
1854, Dublin, Ireland – 30th November 1900, Paris, France
Dandy (a man who pays excessive attention to his appearance)
´´One should either be a work of art or wear a work of art´´ - O. Wilde
Double life, husband with two children, and a having a gay relationship with Lord Alfred
Douglas.
Just after releasing ´The importance of being earnest´, Alfreds father found out about their
relationship, and he exposed Oscar. Oscar was sentenced to two years imprisonment. After
that, he fled to Paris and died there. Penniless.
Mirror of society. Literature is a mirror of society: because it reflects and comments on
aspects of things people encounter in their daily lives
Literary devices
Literary devices are strategies writers use to strengthen ideas, add personality to a text, and
ultimately communicate more effectively.
1. Point of view. This refers to the person telling the story: first-person, second-person,
third-person omniscient/subjective.
2. Simile. A figure of speech in which two unlike objects are compared using the words
´like´ or ´as´.
3. Metaphor. A figure of speech in which a comparison between two unlike objects is
suggested or implied.
4. Irony.
- Dramatic: One character is ignorant of something that the other characters and
reader know.
- Verbal: a contrast between what is said or written and what is really meant.
5. Symbolism. An object, person or event that represents an idea or a set of ideas.
6. Flashback. A scene of series of scenes showing events that happened at an earlier
time.
7. Foreshadowing. Clues that the author gives to suggest event that will occur later in
the book.
Literary Elements.
Literary elements are the universal elements of literature and can therefore be found in an
oral or written story. These things are necessary in a story.
1. Setting. The time and place in which a story occurs.
2. Characters. Revealed by what they say and do and by what others say about them.
3. Conflict. A struggle between two opposing forces. An external conflict is a struggle
against an outside force. An internal conflict is a personal struggle that takes place
within a character´s mind.
4. Mood. Mood is the overall atmosphere or feeling of a literary work. Happiness or
sadness, terror or tranquillity.
5. Author´s purpose. A writer´s purpose may be to inform, entertain or persuade the
reader, or to express an idea. Sometimes the author has more than one purpose.
6. Theme. An author usually writes a story to communicate a general message about
life and how people behave. This message, or theme, can typically be stated in once
sentence. A long literary work may have more than one theme.
, Victorian age.
- Queen Victoria reigned
- About to reach perfection
- Strict Morals
British social classes, 1851
Aristocracy, powerful and wealthy
Middle-class, ran the businesses, ambitious and growing in wealth
The poor – in the villages, in the towns and working as servants in the homes of the
rich – were very poor
British social classes starting to fall apart, 1900
The aristocracy had lost their power over Parliament, and some were beginning to
experience financial problems
The middle-class businessmen were facing competition from Germany and America
The working-class were beginning to grow in prosperity and influence
Upper class life in the Industrial Era
Birth mattered more than income. You were born into the high society, it isn´t
something you can really work in to.
Rich boys had male tutors and nannies. Public school > Oxford/Cambridge > gain
experience necessary to take a leading role in society
Girls were educated at home by a governess, learning about literature, languages,
art, music and embroidery. Intended to support their husbands once their married.
Boys inherit, girls don´t
Town house and a country house, with lots of servants
Oscar Wilde
Playwright, essayist, poet, conversationalist.
1854, Dublin, Ireland – 30th November 1900, Paris, France
Dandy (a man who pays excessive attention to his appearance)
´´One should either be a work of art or wear a work of art´´ - O. Wilde
Double life, husband with two children, and a having a gay relationship with Lord Alfred
Douglas.
Just after releasing ´The importance of being earnest´, Alfreds father found out about their
relationship, and he exposed Oscar. Oscar was sentenced to two years imprisonment. After
that, he fled to Paris and died there. Penniless.
