Literary Terms/ Elements (often applied to but not limited to short stories, novels)
SETTING
SETTING – time and place in which a story occurs
● Setting can be revealed through landscape, scenery, weather, dialogue or characters’ behavior.
● The exact time and place may not be stated, so the reader must pay attention to details to determine the setting!
Atmosphere (mood) – the overall mood, or feeling, of a story *can be affected by events, setting, dialogue, etc.,
Examples: Night at the Museum – light-hearted, comical
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PLOT
PLOT - a sequence of events that makes up a story SUBPLOT- a subordinate/minor plot in a play, novel, or short story
Plot terms to know:
1) exposition (introduction) – introduces characters, setting, and background information
2) rising action – develops the conflict to a high point of intensity
3) climax – the part of the story with the greatest suspense, or the point at which the conflict must be resolved
4) falling action- drop off in the action, wrapping up of the story
5) resolution – settles the conflict and “ties up loose ends”; where things return to “normal” *this is not always the case, some stories
end on what is known as a “CLIFFHANGER” and some stories require the reader to infer how it ends
PLOT PYRAMID
Climax
Falling Action
Exposition
6) – the natural order in which events naturally happen
chronological order
Example: what happened in homeroom, followed by what happened 1st period, then what happened 2nd period, etc.
7) cause and effect – a relationship between events in which one event (cause) makes another event (effect) happen
Example: Waking up late for school (cause) made me miss my bus (effect).
8) – a struggle between opposing forces
conflict
There are two types of general conflicts:
A) external conflict – a character’s struggle against an outside force
a) character vs. character Ex: Judge Judy – plaintiff against defendant
b) character vs. nature Ex: Madagascar – animals struggle to be in their new
climate (nature elements such as heat, cold, storms, earthquakes, etc.,)
c) character vs. society Ex: Ratatouille – Remy struggles to break stereotypes and to be accepted into the
human world
d) character vs. supernatural Ex: The Ring – humans vs. the video’s curse
B) internal conflict– a struggle that takes place within a character’s mind (character vs self) MUST identify this directly (character
vs self is not the correct answer) Identify the negative emotion or the specific struggle the character has with a decision.
Example: Pirates of the Caribbean – Capt. Jack Sparrow’s selfish desires vs. doing what is morally right
9) suspense – the anxiety a reader feels about what will happen next; it’s what puts you “on the edge of your seat” as you read
Example: I Am Legend – Robert Neville struggles to avoid becoming the next victim of the murderous night creatures. Will he
be able to stay alive or become the next victim?
10) foreshadowing – the author’s use of clues to suggest events that will happen later in the plot
Example: Charlie & the Chocolate Factory – Charlie warns the children not to touch the chocolate
river. It is foreshadowed that one of the children will break the rule and that something bad
will happen.
11) dialogue- conversation between two or more characters. Dialogue can reveal detailed information about characters, motives,
atmosphere, etc.,
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CHARACTERIZATION
CHARACTERIZATION - the creation of interesting and believable characters
Characterization terms to know:
1) character traits – different qualities that make up a character’s personality, attitude; character traits may be directly stated or
implied
Examples: (must be adjectives) generous, cruel, determined, egotistical, intelligent, logical, humorous, etc.,
2) major (main) character – a well-developed character with a complex personality. This character usually changes during the course of
the plot. (also referred to as ROUND or DYNAMIC)
Example: Princess Fiona in Shrek: She struggles with her secret curse and inability to tell Shrek how she really feels. In the
end, she learns that love, not appearance, is what is important.
3) minor character – a less-developed character who usually remains relatively the same during the course of the plot (also referred to
as FLAT or STATIC)
Example: Lord Farquaad in Shrek: an unsympathetic, power-hungry ruler
Common literature CHARACTER CATEGORIES:
Round (or dynamic)-main/ major character, fully developed character, *4 dimensional
Flat (or static)-minor character, 2 dimensional, does not usually change much or at all
Stock-a character who is created by adding widely known cultural types/ stereotypes (often used in parodies)
Protagonist-MAIN CHARACTER
Antagonist-stands in opposition to the main character (does not have to be the bad guy or evil)
**Character archetypes- classic character types that emerge in various types of literature throughout history, that due to
similar themes, character traits, or events cause for a general character type to emerge. Here are a few common examples of
character archetypes: 1. the wise guide/teacher (mentor) or caregiver 2. the dependable, brave hero… 3. the creator 4. the
joker 5. the evil villain 6. the ruler… 7. the unfortunate or unlucky victim/ child… (the innocent) 8. The warrior 9. the
everyman 10. the rebel
4) motivation – a force (the who or what) that moves a character to think, feel, or behave in a certain way
Example: Lord of the Rings – The threat of evil taking over the Earth forces Frodo to take on a dangerous quest to destroy
the ring.
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POINT OF VIEW
POINT OF VIEW - the relationship of the narrator (storyteller) to the story *ALL stories have a narrator!
● By choosing the type of view, the author controls what the reader will “see.”
There are two main points of view:
1) first person – the story is told by a character in the story; the character tells us his/her personal experience
● narrator talks directly to the reader and refers to himself/herself as “I”
● narrator cannot tell what others are thinking and what happens when he/she is not there
Example: As I was walking down the street, a handsome man caught my eye. I imagined walking up to him and asking him his name,
but I became too shy, looked away and kept walking.
2) third person – the story is told from an observer not in the story
● narrator refers to the characters as “he” or “she”
● narrator can be omniscient or all knowing:: can tell the thoughts, feelings and actions of all of the characters
Example: As Theresa walked down the street, a handsome man caught her eye. She imagined walking up to him and asking him his name, but
she became too shy, looked away and kept walking. The man, who noticed her as well, was disappointed when she darted past him.
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THEME
THEME – a message the author wants to communicate to the reader (must be realistic, applicable to real life)
MAIN IDEA, TOPIC, or FOCUS + INSIGHT= THEME
Theme is NOT:
● a subject like “love,” “fear” or “death.”
● a summary of the literary work.
Example:
Star Wars Themes:
● Fighting for justice builds personal strength.
● Having faith in oneself is important in the face of opposition.
● Goodness mixed with strength can defeat evil.
NOTICE these are complete sentences, can be applied to REAL life and can be a message for anyone, even if they did not read the
literary work.
Theme can be presented in two ways:
1) stated – theme is directly stated by the author or character, usually at the end of the story
2) implied – theme that is not directly stated; the reader must look at other elements in the story to find the theme
*Author’s Purpose- The reason an author is writing: to explain, inform, persuade, or entertain. Also, as a reader, you can speculate deeper
about the Author’s Purpose by thinking about the intent of the piece and this is easiest to think about after the theme has been identified and
proven.
** inference – a conclusion that we draw from the details given
Example: Wall-E – In the opening scene, the sight of the buildings constructed of compacted trash blocks and a mere robot
left on Earth let us infer that humans’ wasteful methods have created a critical situation and that the movie takes place in
the future.
A contradiction of expectation between what is said and what is meant or an incongruity between what might
*IRONY-
be expected and what actually occurs. Often connected to a fatalistic or pessimistic view of life.
Examples of the Three Main Types of Irony
The three main types are dramatic, verbal, and situational:
▪ Definition of Dramatic Irony- A situation in which the audience knows something about present or
future circumstances that the character does not know
▪ Definition of Verbal irony - A contradiction of expectation between what is said and what is meant
▪ Definition of Situational irony- A contradiction of expectation between what might be expected and
what actually occurs often connected to a fatalistic or pessimistic view of life.
ALLEGORY-a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.
SYMBOLISM- Used in literature when one thing is meant to represent something else. Symbolism helps create meaning and
emotion in a story.
Common symbols used in literature:
Spring= birth, renewal of life
Summer=the prime of life, (youth, young adult)
Fall=getting older/ midlife and getting older, less time left to live, maturity
Winter= death
Red= anger, violence, murder, shame
White= purity, marriage
Doves= peace, unity
Snake/serpent= evil, temptation (Garden of Eden story)
Lion= nobility, strength, pride
TONE- the author’s attitude or approach towards the theme or main idea
Parallel Episode is a scene or chapter in which things that happened to a character earlier happen again in a different
context or to a different character
ALLUSION- a reference to a statement, a person, a place, or an event from literature, the
arts, history, religion, mythology, sports, or science
Poetry Terms you need to know. *These are literary terms that are widely used in various types of poetry.
However, these poetic devices can be used in short stories, novels, and even in non-fiction.
A key question: What is poetry? Poetry is the “shortest” form of literature. It is usually written in stanzas, meter, and/ or
verse. Poetry sometimes rhymes. Poetry does NOT have to rhyme!!!!
FORM- the overall structure and organization of a poem.
Stanza- group of lines that form a unit in a poem. *This is life a “poetry paragraph.”
Example:
Roses are red;
Violets are blue.
Sugar is sweet, STANZA 1
And so are you!
Roses are red;
Carnations are pink.
I’ve said how I feel; STANZA 2
Now what do you think?
Refrain- a repeated word, line, or section in a poem. *like the “chorus” of a song
Couplet- 2 consecutive lines of poetry that rhyme. Literally a “couple” of lines!
*Single space between lines in a couplet*
Example:
Once upon a time in a land far away,
A beautiful princess went walking one day.
Quatrain- 4 consecutive lines of poetry that usually follow a rhyme scheme.
Samples of Rhyme Scheme, identified by capital letters:
ABAB, ABCB, AABB
Example from Casey at the Bat:
The outlook wasn’t brilliant for the Mudville nine that day; (A)
The score stood four to two, with but one inning more to play; (A)
And so, when Cooney died at first, and Burrows did the same, (B)
A sickly silence fell upon the patrons of the game. (B)
SOUND- devices used in a poem to create SOUND. *WHAT you hear and HOW you hear it!
Rhyme Scheme- pattern of rhyme formed at the ends of each line of a poem (identified by a capital letter).
LOOK above at the quatrain; it follows a RHYME SCHEME.
Internal Rhyme- rhyme that occurs within a line of poetry.
Example:
I called today just to say, “hello.”
Rhythm- Regular pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables
ALLITERATION- repetition of consonant sounds in one line of poetry (the sound comes at the beginning of
the word). SOUND not LETTER
Example:
Sally sells seashells by the seashore.
**REMEMBER: repeating consonant sound not letter. Check out the following words that start with the same letter
but not with the same sound:
sea…shelf (do not start with same sound)
cookie…chocolate (do not start with same sound)
happy…honest (do not start with same sound)
ASSONANCE-repetition of vowel sounds in a line of poetry. VOWELS – A, E, I, O, U and sometimes Y (if used as
a vowel like in the word happy *here the –y is the long –e sound)
ONOMATOPOEIA- words whose sounds imitate their meaning. Examples: Buzz, Snap, Ding, Crash, Pop, Fizz….
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE (figures of speech)- words or phrases that are not literally true.
TYPES of FL we will be covering: Personification, Imagery, Metaphors/ extended metaphors, Simile, Hyperbole
PERSONIFICATION (FL)- giving human characteristics to animals or inanimate objects.
YOU know this! Remember personification was used in “There Will Come Soft Rains.” The house was personified
through the details and descriptions that gave the house human characteristics.
IMAGERY (FL)- words that appeal to the senses and create a mental picture (image) by describing how things look,
sound, smell, taste, and/ or feel. YOU are already experts on the 5 senses!!!
METAPHOR(FL)- direct comparison between 2 unlike things. *DO NOT USE LIKE or AS!
Example: Poetry is an ocean!
EXTENDED METAPHOR (FL)- a direct comparison that extends throughout an entire work of literature.
SIMILE (FL)- an indirect comparison between 2 unlike things, using LIKE or AS.
Example: Life is LIKE a box of chocolates. –Forest Gump *one of the most famous similes of all time
HYPERBOLE (FL)- EXTREME exaggeration.
Example: I walked a million miles to get these shoes!
ELEMENTS of MEANING
SPEAKER- the narrator or voice of the poem.
TITLE- the name of the poem that may give clues to the meaning of the poem. *title is obviously a literary term that
is used in many other literature pieces and texts
*More elements of MEANING here!
THEME- the message of the poem (advice/ lesson from the speaker, real world applicable).
YOU KNOW THIS!!!! Remember, that theme must be supported by examples from the poem!
WORD CHOICE- the careful and thoughtful selection of words. (Word choice is vital to you as a writer.
Thinking about word choice must be done in ALL writing forms!)
****TONE- attitude of writer/ author/ poet towards a group of things like the audience, the subject, or some
character
TYPES OF POETRY (form)
Narrative poem, Ode, Free Verse, Elegy, Ballad, Lyric, Sonnet
*parts of poetry are forms that can exist in a variety of poem types such as couplet, quatrain, stanza,
refrain*
NARRATIVE POEM-a poem that tells a story.
EPIC poem- a long poem that tells the story of the series of quests undertaken by a
hero.
MOCK EPIC poem- like an epic but is comical instead of serious (Casey at the Bat).
BALLAD- a songlike poem that tells a story, usually about love, betrayal, or death. A Ballad
can be sad or humorous.
ODE- a poem that praises or celebrates someone or something (traditionally very
serious).
LYRIC POEM- a poem that expresses feeling or thought, comments on a subject, and does
NOT tell a story. DOES NOT have a rhyme.
FREE VERSE (usually everyone’s favorite) – a poem with no set rhythm or rhyme and no set
number of stanzas or lines.
ELEGY- a poem of mourning, usually about someone who has died or a way of life that no
longer exists.
SONNET- a 14 line poem, usually written in iambic pentameter.
Iambic pentameter- a line of poetry that contains 5 beats consisting of an unstressed syllable
followed by a stressed syllable.
YOU MUST KNOW all of these terms through and through. You must be able to use these in your writing when you respond to
text, you must be able to make connections between various literary elements understanding how and why they can affect other
literary elements. You must be able to use these terms in class discussions and during class activities. These will be used
throughout the entire school year when we are reading, discussing, analyzing, interpreting, and constructing various texts.
These are terms that will help with putting the pieces of the puzzle together to comprehend, analyze, interpret, discuss, dig deeper, write about,
question, and evaluate various works of literature.
A Dog’s Purpose NOVEL UNIT
Literary Focuses:
Remember FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE? Although very closely associated with poetry, it also shows up in all other forms
of literature. We will keep our eyes open for FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE! *Review this concept in Poetry Term Section of
this doc.
Symbolism- a literary device in which a writer uses one thing—usually a physical object or phenomenon—to represent
something more abstract. IN short, symbolism is when one thing is used to represent something else.
PLOT DEVELOPMENT (all terms involved with plot including, character motivation, dialogue, conflict, etc.)
(main) PLOT- a sequence of events that makes up a story (the main focus of the story)
SUBPLOTS- a minor plot that relates to the main plot in some way
Plot terms:
1) exposition (introduction) – introduces characters, setting,, and background information
2) rising action – develops the conflict to a high point of intensity
3) climax – the part of the story with the greatest suspense, or the point at which the conflict must be resolved or wrapped
up
*the most exciting part of the story (usually close to the end)
4) falling action- no more new information is given, wrap up of minor parts of story
5) resolution – settles the conflict and “ties up loose ends”; where things return to “normal” DON’T forget about the
possible Cliffhanger!
PLOT PYRAMID (a quick snapshot of a story)
*Story Structure Things to consider: How the author presents the story, affects the reader’s understanding and
connection with the piece. What creative approaches are used to enhance the reader’s understanding of this novel? How
does the structure of this story encourage connections with the reader? What specific connections are you making with
this story?
Literary Archetypes-Literature is full of similar characters, situations and symbols. These familiar patterns are
called archetypes. Literary archetypes represent common elements of human life -- universally recognized symbols, themes and
stories. Archetypes recur throughout literature, from ancient Greek to British romanticism to contemporary novels. Authors often use
archetypes because they are relatable, familiar and emotionally powerful, and therefore resonate with readers. Some critics believe the
key to understanding literature is to understand archetypes.
Character Archetypes -Characters are perhaps the most recognizable archetype in literature. Nearly every story
has a hero, a character who must restore harmony to a community -- think of Harry Potter or Frodo from “The Lord of the Rings” series.
Similarly, nearly every story has a villain or devil figure, the character who represents evil -- like Lord Voldemort. Sometimes the
archetype is a redeemable villain, a figure who is saved by the hero’s nobility. Other archetypes exist to help the hero, such as the
hero’s loyal friends or the mentor, who often appears as a wise old man, like Gandalf or Merlin. Other common character archetypes
include the star-crossed lovers, the earth mother, the outcast, the underdog and the damsel in distress.
Situational Archetypes-Familiar stories and situations are known as situational archetypes. Perhaps the
best-known is the quest -- the hero’s search for someone or something that, when found, will restore harmony or bring justice to a
community. Similarly, the task --when the hero must accomplish a feat -- and the journey, which includes a series of trials and
tribulations, are also common. Think of Frodo in “The Lord of the Rings,” who must return the ring to Mordor in order to save Middle
Earth. Another situational archetype is the fall, in which the hero suffers a loss of innocence, such as King Arthur and Adam and Eve in
"Paradise Lost." Other common situational archetypes include the battle between good and evil and the death and rebirth
archetype, in which someone or something dies, yet is accompanied by some sign of birth or rebirth -- like Aslan the lion in "The Lion,
the Witch, and the Wardrobe."
Color Archetypes-Color is a powerful archetype with deep emotional associations. Literature often features the
archetypes of light versus darkness, with light suggesting hope, goodness, innocence or intellectual illumination, while darkness
represents ignorance, despair, death or evil. Red can indicate blood or violence, but also birth, energy and fire. Green is commonly
associated with fertility, nature and growth. Blue, such as a clear sky, frequently suggests themes of devotion, truth and spirituality. Gold
and silver also often appear as literary archetypes, with gold representing the sun, truth and wealth, and silver as symbols of the moon
or money.
Archetypes Related to Nature-Literature often includes archetypes related to nature, symbolizing life,
growth and death. Water is among the most common archetypes, representing birth or spiritual rebirth, such as in a baptism. Fire
suggests life, power and the ability to transform -- think of the Phoenix rising from the ashes. Trees often represent knowledge, but a
forest can indicate being lost or fearful. Many nature archetypes are meant to symbolize spirituality, such as the Wind, which frequently
represents the Holy Spirit, or valleys, which can indicate evil. Celestial symbols -- the sun, stars and the moon -- are also common
literary archetypes, symbolizing guidance, brightness, enlightenment and transition. Other archetypes in nature include ice or snow,
which indicates coldness and sterility, or lightening, which suggests inspiration or intuition. Source:
https://penandthepad.com/list-frequent-archetypes-literature-5063.html
Common Character Archetypes:
o The Hero/ The Warrior- strong, brave, passionate, jump in and take action type of person, loyal, accepting missions challenges
quests, selfless, leader, determined, strategic, confident, independent, honorable, fair, bold, humble, prepared, adaptive, perseverant,
powerful, champion, incredible, honest, fearless,
o The Villain- destructive, manipulative, hateful, evil, spiteful, malicious, violent, cruel, greedy, disregard for others, selfish, shady,
maniacal, vile, diabolical, nefarious, shameless, enraged, deceptive, vicious, relentless, scarred, corrupt, ruthless, angry, vengeful,
petty, aggressive, blood thirsty, devilish, repulsive, unfair, unjust , pessimistic
o The Jester/ the joker- funny, hilarious, comedic, positive, optimistic, doesn’t take things too seriously, lighthearted, fun, silly,
obnoxious, weird, entertaining, amusing, attention-seeker,exciting, energetic, bubbly, joyful,distracting, quick witted, outgoing, wacky,
happy, wondrous, open-minded, loud, boisterous, likeable, instigator, clumsy, goofy, extrovert
o The Sage (teacher)/ The Mentor/ The Caregiver- helpful, wise, intelligent, giving, thoughtful, caring, kind, well-prepared, observant,
consistent, patient, motivational/ motivated, innovative,experienced, knowledgeable, selfless, problem-solver, solution maker,
respected, generous, parental, inspirational, sentient (perceptive), empathetic, ethical, logical, compassionate, devoted, attentive
o The Everyman-simple, easy-going, laid back, hard working, goal oriented, social, welcoming, accepting, loyal, inspiring, joyful,
reliable, friendly, down to earth(grounded), content, giving, compassionate, polite, generous, well-rounded, relatable, likeable, chill,
humble, engaged, normal, listeners, affable, steady
o The Innocent- harmless, peaceful, calm, *shy, quiet, restrained, helpful, positive, gentle, pure, wholesome, honest, sweet, virtuous,
unaware/ naive, good-natured, reserved, feeble, fearful, neutral, protected
*The Orphan- shy, helpless, scared, survivalist, depressed, lacks confidence, searching for stability, lonely, trust issues, left out,
desperate, lost, cursed, skeptical, reserved, worried, hurt, blameless, unsure, independent, cautious, numb
*The Rebel- reckless, fearless, does not fear consequence, extreme, immature, dangerous, crazy, nonchalant, defiant, disrespectful,
mischievous, criminal, sneaky, untrustworthy, cunning, ambitious, mean
Key things to analyze with character: dialogue, character motivation, conflicts (internal and external), character actions and
reactions
Also consider the following (character categories):
Round/Dynamic (a literary or dramatic character who undergoes an important inner change, as a change in personality or
attitude, often, much is known about the character, the reader GETS TO KNOW the character thoroughly through the story)
Flat/Static (a literary or dramatic character who does not change much or at all, usually important to relaying key parts of story)
Theme- a message or piece of advice the author wants to communicate to the reader (must be realistic, applicable to real life)
***Main Idea/Focus/Topic + INSIGHT.= Theme
Narrator- Who is telling the story (EVERY story has a narrator)
Point of View- 1st person- character from story is narrator or 3rd person- outside voice is the narrator
*IRONY-A contradiction of expectation between what is said and what is meant or an incongruity between what
might be expected and what actually occurs. Often connected to a fatalistic or pessimistic view of life.
Examples of the Three Main Types of Irony
The three main types are dramatic, verbal, and situational:
● Definition of Dramatic Irony - A situation in which the audience knows something about present or future
circumstances that the character does not know
● Definition of Verbal irony - A contradiction of expectation between what is said and what is meant
● Definition of Situational irony - A contradiction of expectation between what might be expected and what
actually occurs often connected to a fatalistic or pessimistic view of life.
Parallel episodes-is a scene or chapter in which things that happened to a character earlier happen again in a different
context or to a different character.
DRAMA terms you need to know:
1. ACT-a main division of a play, ballet, or opera
2. SCENE-subdivision of an act of a drama
3. STAGE DIRECTION-an instruction in the text of a play, especially one indicating the
movement, position, or tone of an actor, or the sound effects and lighting.
4. STAGING- the method of presenting a play or other dramatic performance.
5. DIALOGUE- conversation between two or more characters
6. PLAYWRIGHT- author of a play or drama
7. ALLUSION- a reference to a statement, a person, a place, or an event from literature,
the arts, history, religion, mythology, sports, or science (allusions are found in all
forms of literature)
8. ASIDE-a remark or passage in a play that is intended to be heard by the audience
but unheard by the other characters in the play
9. DRAMA-Drama is a mode of fictional representation through dialogue and
performance. It is one of the literary genres, which is an imitation of some action.
Drama is also a type of a play written for theater, television, radio, and film.
Types of DRAMA
10.COMEDY-Comedies are lighter in tone than ordinary works, and provide a happy
conclusion. The intention of dramatists in comedies is to make their audience
laugh. Hence, they use quaint circumstances, unusual characters, and witty
remarks.
11.TRAGEDY-Tragic dramas use darker themes, such as disaster, pain, and death.
Protagonists often have a tragic flaw — a characteristic that leads them to their
downfall.
12.FARCE-Generally, a farce is a nonsensical genre of drama, which often overacts or
engages slapstick humor.
13.MELODRAMA-Melodrama is an exaggerated drama, which is sensational and appeals
directly to the senses of the audience. Just like the farce, the characters are of a
single dimension and simple, or may be stereotyped.
14.MUSICAL-In musical dramas, dramatists not only tell their stories through acting
and dialogue, but through dance as well as music. Often the story may be comedic,
though it may also involve serious subjects.
STUDY SUGGESTIONS:
Identify some allusions, asides, dialogue, and stage direction in the play we are
reading.
Review these terms and know the definitions (make a quizlet, notecards, etc.,)
KNOW who the playwrights are of the play we are reading.
LISTEN to our analysis of the play and discussions of the play during class. Engage
and participate!
