OCR GCSE English Literature key terms

Generous concern for other people’s welfare, shown through kindness and helpful actions.

A reference to a person, event or story from the Bible that adds meaning to a literary moment.

Marriage to another person while an existing spouse is still living and the first marriage remains legally valid.

A novel tracing a character’s development towards adulthood and a clearer understanding of their identity and place in society.

A pair of contrasting ideas, such as light and darkness, whose relationship helps shape meaning.

Humour arising from disturbing or serious events, which can make an audience uncomfortable about its own laughter.

A threat to reveal damaging information unless someone provides money or another benefit.

Unrhymed verse written in iambic pentameter: normally five pairs of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable.

A legally binding agreement. In The Merchant of Venice, Antonio’s bond makes him responsible for repaying Shylock, with a pound of flesh as the penalty for failure.

A person whose earnings financially support a household.

A compelling but flawed literary protagonist associated with Lord Byron’s writing: proud, passionate, brooding and often troubled by a mysterious or guilty past.

A pause within a verse line, often marked by punctuation.

A strong sense that a particular kind of work is one’s purpose in life. Mai regards practising obeah as her calling.

A lack of sympathy for another person’s suffering.

A branch of Protestant Christianity associated with strict moral discipline and an emphasis on human sinfulness and God’s authority.

In Austen’s usage, openness and generosity in judging others, rather than simply frankness.

An economic system in which businesses and productive resources are largely privately owned and operated for profit. Birling represents Priestley’s criticism of selfish capitalist attitudes, not every possible capitalist.

In Never Let Me Go, a clone who supports other clones during their organ donations, before beginning donations themselves.

An exaggerated portrayal that makes a character’s distinctive features or behaviour especially noticeable, often for comic or satirical purposes.

Large-scale killing or bloodshed.

A short ornamental chest. Portia's suitors must choose between gold, silver and lead caskets to win the right to marry her.

A social rank treated as a fixed division between people. Jane uses the word to describe the class position she fears losing.

A person or event that helps bring about change.

The emotional release associated with the pity and fear aroused by tragedy.

The suppression or restriction of expression or information by those in authority.

The development or change a character undergoes across a text.

The ways a writer establishes and develops a character through speech, actions, relationships and other characters’ responses.