Faculty of Humanities and Social Science > English Language Skills
Literary Terms
Binoy:
Nemesis
ন্যায় প্রতিষ্ঠা
Definition:
In literature, the use of a nemesis refers to a situation of poetic justice wherein the positive characters are rewarded and the negative characters are penalized. The word also sometimes refers to the character or medium by which this justice is brought about as Nemesis was the patron goddess of vengeance according to classical mythology.
Example:
In the popular book series Harry Potter, the protagonist Harry Potter is the nemesis of the evil Lord Voldemort.
Binoy:
Onomatopoeia
বাস্তবানুকার
Definition:
The term ‘onomatopoeia’ refers to words whose very sound is very close to the sound they are meant to depict. In other words, it refers to sound words whose pronunciation to the actual sound they represent.
Example:
Words such as grunt, huff, buzz and snap are words whose pronunciation sounds very similar to the actual sounds these words represent. In literature such words are useful in creating a stronger mental image. For instance, sentences such as “the whispering of the forest trees” or “the hum of a thousand bees” or “the click of the door in the nighttime” create vivid mental images.
Binoy:
Oxymoron
বিপরীত সহাবস্থান
Definition:
Oxymoron is a significant literary device as it allows the author to use contradictory, contrasting concepts placed together in a manner that actually ends up making sense in a strange, and slightly complex manner. An oxymoron is an interesting literary device because it helps to perceive a deeper level of truth and explore different layers of semantics while writing.
Example:
Sometimes we cherish things of little value.
He possessed a cold fire in his eyes.
Binoy:
Paradox
কূটাভাস
Definition:
A paradox in literature refers to the use of concepts or ideas that are contradictory to one another, yet, when placed together hold significant value on several levels. The uniqueness of paradoxes lies in the fact that a deeper level of meaning and significance is not revealed at first glance, but when it does crystallize, it provides astonishing insight.
Example:
High walls make not a palace; full coffers make not a king.
Binoy:
Pathetic Fallacy
ব্যক্তিবৈশিষ্ট্য আরোপ
Definition:
Pathetic fallacy is a type of literary device whereby the author ascribes the human feelings of one or more of his or her characters to nonhuman objects or nature or phenomena. It is a type of personification, and is known to occur more by accident and less on purpose.
Example:
The softly whistling teapot informed him it was time for breakfast.
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