Lit Terms - Oct. 10

Flashback ~ a device in the narrative of a motion picture, novel, etc., by which an event or scene taking place before the presenttime in the narrative is inserted into the chronological structure of the work


Example:

When Beowulf chooses to fight Grendel in hand-to-hand combat; the narrator then explains that this is a good decision because man-made weapons can’t defeat Grendel.

Authors use flashbacks to further explain events in the story. 




Oxymoron ~ A figure of speech by which a locution produces an incongruous, seemingly self-contradictory effect, as in “cruel kindness” or “to make haste slowly.”




Example:

O heavy lightness, serious vanity,

Misshapen chaos of well-seeming forms!

Feather of lead, bright smoke, cold fire, sick health,

Still-waking sleep, that is not what it is! 




Oxymorons are commonly used to create and ironic sense of humor or puns. They are also used to emphasize certain qualities or ideas.OR to confuse the reader.