English Literature key terms

Washing or cleansing, especially as a religious ritual.

Someone who campaigns to abolish slavery.

A rhythmic pattern organised mainly by the number of stressed syllables rather than a fixed number of syllables.

Verse in which rhythm depends primarily on the number of stressed beats in a line rather than a fixed number of syllables.

Coming to terms with a situation rather than attempting to change it; this does not necessarily mean approving of it.

A skill associated with a genteel young woman’s education, such as music, drawing, dancing or languages, often displayed socially and used to judge her suitability for marriage.

Skills associated with a genteel woman’s education, such as music, drawing, dancing and modern languages, often displayed socially.

The requirement that those exercising power explain their decisions and can be challenged or removed.

A major division of a play, usually containing several scenes.

Bringing up a child who is not one’s biological child. In Silas Marner, Silas’s adoption of Eppie is presented through his everyday care rather than a modern legal process.

Sexual unfaithfulness to a husband or wife.

Speaking or acting on another person’s behalf. Desdemona’s advocacy aims to reconcile Cassio with Othello.

Friendly, approachable behaviour. Mr Collins uses this word to praise Lady Catherine, although her conduct towards Elizabeth is intrusive and commanding.

The consequences and changed circumstances that follow a major event.

A character's capacity to make choices and influence events rather than simply being controlled by others.

A person who holds that the existence of God is unknown or cannot be known with certainty. T. H. Huxley coined the term.

The position that claims about God should be approached through the limits of what can be known, rather than asserted with certainty.

An assumed name used instead of a person’s original name.

Evidence that a person was elsewhere when a crime took place. Thaddeus Sholto’s movements are accounted for, disproving Jones’s accusation.

A feeling of separation from other people or exclusion from their society.

A character, object or event that represents an abstract idea as part of a wider moral meaning. Ignorance and Want are allegorical children representing failures in society.

A connection between people or families that can strengthen their wealth, influence or social position; marriage can create such a connection.

Repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginnings of nearby words.

A reference to another story, person or event, which brings its associations into the writing.

A second identity or alternative version of a person. Hyde is the identity through which Jekyll gives separate expression to his evil impulses.

A rhyme pattern in which every other line rhymes, such as ABAB.

Fiction imagining how the past might have developed differently if particular events or discoveries had changed.