English Literature key terms

Love or affection that is shared and returned by both people.

Care or affection that is given and returned, rather than flowing in only one direction.

The recovery or restoration of someone who has gone wrong; the Ghost uses this word for its purpose in helping Scrooge reform.

The moment when a character discovers the truth about their situation, often too late to prevent disaster in a tragedy.

A scene in which a concealed or mistaken identity is discovered, changing the characters’ understanding of earlier events.

A speaker’s act of recalling an earlier experience; in poetry, recollection can select and reshape details rather than simply report events.

The restoration of a relationship after conflict or wrongdoing; it involves more than simply ending punishment.

Firm commitment to morally correct behaviour. Nancy’s rectitude makes her dependable, but her certainty about what is right can become inflexible.

The process of being saved from wrongdoing and becoming morally better.

A misleading clue that directs attention away from the real explanation. The apparent connection between Grace Poole and the laughter distracts Jane from Bertha’s existence.

A repeated word, phrase or line in a poem or song.

A person outside their country who cannot or will not seek its protection because of a well-founded fear of persecution. The 1951 Refugee Convention identifies race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group and political opinion as grounds for that persecution.

The period from 1811 to 1820 when the Prince Regent exercised royal powers because George III was too ill to rule; the term also describes a broader cultural period around these years.

The killing of a king or queen.

Treating people unfairly because of their religious beliefs or identity.

A contradiction between someone’s claimed religious principles and their behaviour, especially when religious authority is used to justify mistreating others.

Money sent by someone living abroad to relatives or others in their country of origin.

Painful regret and guilt about wrongdoing.

An attempt to repair harm caused by wrongdoing, rather than merely expressing regret.

A lively exchange of witty replies between speakers.

Recognition of wrongdoing accompanied by sincere regret and an intention to change.

A factual-seeming style of reporting events, often using precise locations, times, documents and eyewitness accounts.

A feeling or wish that is held back rather than openly expressed.

The holding back or suppression of desires and impulses. Jekyll’s attempt to conceal and separate his desires helps connect repression with violence.

A system of government without a monarch. The conspirators claim to defend Rome’s republican traditions against Caesar’s concentration of power.

The opinion other people hold about someone’s character or conduct. In Austen’s novel, one person’s behaviour can affect the reputation of their whole family.

A character’s tendency to avoid openly expressing feelings or discussing private matters.