English Literature key terms

The extent to which someone's character and behaviour arise from their original qualities or from their upbringing, experiences and treatment.

Magic involving the dead, particularly attempts to summon them or communicate with their spirits.

An upbringing that fails to provide a child with necessary attention, protection or care.

The intensified expansion of overseas empires in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, driven by competition, resources, markets and claims of a civilising mission.

The 1834 reform of poor relief in England and Wales, which promoted a deterrent workhouse system intended to reduce costs and discourage dependence on assistance.

A group responsible for guarding the streets at night and maintaining public order.

The belief that life has no meaning or purpose.

A narrative whose telling does not follow the chronological order of all its events.

An arrangement of events that does not follow the order in which they happened.

An affectionate longing for the past.

Observing, listening to or taking notice of something; its similar sound to ‘nothing’ contributes to the wordplay in the play’s title.

A short prose narrative, longer than a short story but shorter than most novels.

A narrative in which social behaviour, customs and relationships are central to the plot and its criticism of society.

A solemn promise, often strengthened by calling on a sacred power or witness.

Caribbean spiritual practices associated with special powers and healing. In Leave Taking, Mai’s practice also provides listening, guidance and a connection with cultural heritage.

Treating a person as an object to be used rather than recognising their feelings, choices and humanity.

A duty owed to someone, arising from a promise, relationship or debt.

Excessively eager obedience or flattery towards someone powerful, usually to gain or preserve their favour.

Carefully noticing details that can serve as evidence. Holmes distinguishes noticing a clue from reasoning about what it means.

A consuming preoccupation that dominates a person’s thoughts and behaviour.

The first eight lines of a sonnet.

Evidence seen with one’s own eyes. In Othello, the demand for visual evidence is undermined by Iago’s manipulation of what Othello sees.

A lyric poem that addresses and celebrates a subject, often while reflecting seriously on its significance.

A sign believed to predict a future event, often danger or death.

Knowledge of everything. The Inspector’s apparently extraordinary knowledge can suggest omniscience, although this is an interpretation of his character.

A narrator who can describe the thoughts and feelings of different characters and comment on their behaviour.

A narrator outside the story who refers to characters as ‘he’, ‘she’ or ‘they’ and can reveal the thoughts and feelings of different characters.