Eduqas GCSE English Literature key terms

An inexpensive sensational story sold for one shilling, associated with suspense and frightening events.

A traditional, derogatory label for a woman considered aggressively outspoken or disobedient.

A comparison using ‘like’ or ‘as’, which helps readers understand one thing through its resemblance to another.

A contrast between what someone intends to happen and what actually happens.

A false spoken accusation that damages someone’s reputation.

Untidy or careless in personal appearance or habits; the word Miss Scatcherd uses to condemn Helen Burns.

A hierarchy that groups people by factors such as family background, occupation, education, wealth and social status.

The application of ideas about competition and survival to human society, often used to justify inequality or the exclusion of people labelled weak.

A ranking of people according to status, wealth or power.

A political outlook favouring greater economic equality and collective provision or control. In An Inspector Calls, socialist ideas are associated with shared responsibility for other people.

Movement between social positions or classes, such as gaining higher status through employment, wealth or marriage.

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

The duty to consider other people's welfare and help those in need.

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

A speech revealing a character’s thoughts, usually spoken while the character is alone on stage.

Being alone. Unlike loneliness, solitude does not necessarily involve unhappiness.

A fourteen-line poem, usually with a patterned rhyme scheme and a development or turn in its argument.

An essay that uses a printed extract together with knowledge of the whole studied text to answer one question.

The voice speaking in a poem, which should not automatically be identified with the poet.

A country gentleman recognised as a leading local landowner; the title expresses social standing rather than necessarily a noble rank.

An instruction in a play specifying actions, delivery, appearance, setting or other aspects of performance.

An object used by actors on stage; it can also carry symbolic meaning.

A character whose essential qualities remain consistent throughout a story, even though their circumstances or relationships may change.

A verse of a song; Dickens uses the word for the five sections of A Christmas Carol, connecting its structure to its title.

A fixed, oversimplified belief about a group of people.

A senior household servant responsible for managing domestic affairs and supervising other servants.

Rapid dialogue in which speakers exchange single lines, often creating a sense of argument or verbal competition.