English Literature key terms

A relationship in which one person has more control or freedom than another, for example through money, social status or access to housing.

Concerned with what seems practical or achievable rather than with an ideal or principle.

An approach that prioritises what seems workable in the circumstances rather than an ideal or principle.

A person who prioritises practical results over principles or ideals.

A Soviet newspaper whose name means ‘Truth’. Squealer represents the kind of official propaganda associated with newspapers such as Pravda.

An earlier decision that can guide later decisions in similar cases.

Knowledge of an event before it happens; a possibility explored in Priestley’s time plays.

An opinion formed before sufficient evidence has been considered fairly.

A feeling that something, often something harmful, will happen in the future.

An opinion or feeling formed in advance, which can influence how later evidence is understood.

A later-written work that imagines events before those of an existing story.

A feeling that something, often something unpleasant, is going to happen.

Arrogant behaviour that assumes a right to do something without sufficient consideration for others.

An excessively high opinion of oneself. In Darcy’s case, pride in his family, wealth and judgement initially encourages contempt for others.

The practice of passing an estate principally to the eldest son, which could leave younger sons with smaller inheritances.

The original amount borrowed, excluding interest.

A moral belief or rule that guides behaviour, including when following it is difficult.

An old ship used as a floating prison. Magwitch escapes from a prison hulk before meeting Pip.

A special benefit or right enjoyed by one person or group but denied to others.

A play whose mixture of comic resolution and disturbing moral questions makes its tone and ending difficult to classify. Some critics apply this term to The Merchant of Venice.

Wastefully extravagant, especially with money.

Extravagant or wasteful; in Love, it describes the newborn’s outpouring of heat.

The belief that societies will develop and improve over time, for example through knowledge, technology or moral understanding.

A flash-forward to events later than the main narrative’s present.

An opening speech that introduces a work’s action or concerns.

A Titan in Greek mythology who, in some versions, created humanity from clay and who stole fire for humankind, suffering punishment from Zeus.

A word that stands in place of a noun or noun phrase. First-person plural pronouns such as ‘we’ and ‘us’ place the speaker within a group.