AQA GCSE English Literature key terms

A comparison using ‘like’ or ‘as’, which helps a reader understand one thing through another.

A contrast between what is expected and what actually happens. Recovering the treasure box appears to promise wealth, but its emptiness brings Watson happiness instead.

A false spoken accusation that damages someone’s reputation.

Humour created through exaggerated physical action, such as comic beatings, falls or chases.

A short, memorable phrase used to promote an idea or cause, such as the animals’ repeated statement about four legs and two legs.

An attitude that judges people’s worth by their social position, wealth or manners and looks down on those considered inferior.

A division within society connected to occupation, wealth and family background, which can influence a person’s status and opportunities.

A political and economic outlook that seeks greater equality through collective provision and greater public or social control of resources.

Movement from one social position to another, whether upwards or downwards.

A person’s position within a social hierarchy, influenced in Austen’s world by family background, titles, landownership and occupation.

The duty to consider how one’s actions affect other people, including those outside one’s own family or social class.

A person’s position in society, shaped by factors such as birth, title, wealth, occupation and reputation.

A speech delivered by a character alone on stage, allowing the audience to hear thoughts concealed from other characters.

A fourteen-line poetic form, usually with a patterned rhyme scheme and a development or turn in its ideas.

A person believed to be able to predict future events.

Supreme authority to rule a state or community.

The voice speaking within a poem, which should not automatically be treated as the poet speaking autobiographically.

A supernatural being; in The Tempest, Ariel can become invisible, change his appearance and perform magical tasks.

The use of theatrical elements such as lighting, sound, props and movement to create meaning in performance.

An instruction in a play indicating movement, delivery, appearance or another feature of performance.

A Soviet movement encouraging increased productivity, associated with the celebrated worker Alexei Stakhanov. Boxer can be compared with its ideal of an exceptionally productive model worker.

The policies and system of rule associated with Joseph Stalin, including concentrated personal power, coercion and the repression of opposition.

A group of lines forming a section of a poem, usually separated from other groups by a blank line.

A character whose underlying attitudes remain largely unchanged despite the events they experience.

One of the five divisions of A Christmas Carol. The musical term connects the novella’s structure to its title.

An oversimplified representation that assigns supposedly fixed characteristics to an entire group of people.

Responsible care for property and for people affected by its management, such as an estate’s tenants and servants.