Edexcel GCSE English Literature key terms

A political outlook seeking a more equal society while preserving democracy, political freedom and people’s ability to challenge their rulers.

An ending that resolves a story’s main conflicts and reveals what happens to its characters.

Someone who relies on another person for financial support or care. At Gateshead, Jane’s dependence is used to demand her obedience.

A historical category for poor people considered worthy of assistance because they were seen as hardworking, respectable or unable to work. Dickens presents the Cratchits in ways that appeal to this judgement while challenging the dismissal of poor people as idle.

Severely controlling and demanding obedience, with little regard for another person’s freedom.

Extreme poverty in which a person lacks basic necessities such as food and shelter.

A way of speaking associated with a particular region or social group, including distinctive vocabulary and grammar.

An exchange between voices. In a poem, dialogue can reveal contrasting perspectives and relationships between speakers.

The spread of a people beyond their ancestral homeland, including later generations who retain connections to it.

A ruler who exercises unchecked power and suppresses opposition.

A system of rule in which a leader or ruling group holds power without meaningful public accountability or freedom to oppose it.

Speaking directly to a reader or listener, often using ‘you’.

The ability to recognise differences and judge people or situations accurately.

Care in speaking or acting so that private information is not exposed and offence or scandal is avoided.

Clothing, behaviour or a changed identity used to prevent others from recognising someone.

Disappointment caused by discovering that a person, belief or promised future is not as good as expected.

A feeling of being disconnected from a place, community or cultural identity.

Being forced to leave the place where one lives.

The loss of land, property or control over a place to another person or group.

A Protestant Christian who belongs to a religious community separate from the established Church of England.

The belief that a monarch's authority comes from God.

The belief that a monarch’s authority comes from God, making rebellion against the monarch an offence against divine authority.

A set of beliefs taught as authoritative by a religious group.

A double of a person, often used in literature to explore a divided identity or a hidden aspect of the self.

A character who resembles another in important ways, allowing readers to recognise parallels or possible outcomes.

Two connected storylines developed alongside one another, allowing their events and values to be compared.

Different standards applied to comparable behaviour by different groups, such as excusing men’s sexual behaviour while condemning women’s.

The use of characters who mirror one another, allowing their similarities and differences to develop the text’s meaning.