Glossary
Análisis
The process of examining the components of a literary work to understand its structure, meaning, and the author's craft, going beyond mere plot summary.
Example:
Effective literary análisis requires identifying literary devices and explaining how they contribute to the text's themes.
Autor, Título, Era
The fundamental pieces of information (author's name, work's title, and literary era) that students must memorize for each text on the AP syllabus.
Example:
Knowing the Autor, Título, Era for every required reading is the first step to success on the exam.
Ejemplo
A short narrative or anecdote, often didactic, used to illustrate a moral lesson or principle, as seen in *El Conde Lucanor*.
Example:
Patronio's stories in El Conde Lucanor are always presented as an ejemplo to guide the Count's decisions.
El imperialismo
A crucial theme involving the policy of extending a country's power and influence through colonization, use of military force, or other means, often tied to conquest and cultural domination.
Example:
The historical context of the conquest of the Americas is essential to understanding the theme of el imperialismo in works like Visión de los vencidos.
El machismo
A key concept referring to a strong sense of masculine pride and the belief in male superiority, often leading to the domination of women.
Example:
The patriarchal attitudes displayed by many male characters in La casa de Bernarda Alba are clear manifestations of el machismo.
Evidence (for FRQ)
Specific textual details, quotes, or examples from the literary work used to support and validate the claims made in an essay.
Example:
Students must provide relevant textual evidence to back up every analytical claim in their essays.
FRQs (Free Response Questions)
Essay questions on the AP exam that require students to analyze literary texts, compare and contrast themes, and demonstrate critical thinking.
Example:
To excel on the FRQs, students must move beyond plot summary and focus on in-depth literary analysis.
Genre
A category of literary composition characterized by a particular style, form, or content, such as a *moraleja*, *poema*, or *soneto*.
Example:
Understanding the specific genre of a text, whether it's a short story or a dramatic play, helps in interpreting its purpose and structure.
Irony
A literary device where there is a contrast between expectation and reality, often used to create humor, tension, or to highlight a deeper meaning.
Example:
It's a classic example of irony when a character who claims to be a great hero acts cowardly in a moment of crisis.
La construcción de género
A course theme examining how societal norms and expectations shape the roles, identities, and behaviors of men and women within a given culture or historical period.
Example:
Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz's poetry often challenges the traditional la construcción de género prevalent in her time.
La época medieval
The Medieval Era in Spanish literature, serving as the foundational period for the course, characterized by specific societal structures and literary forms.
Example:
Many early Spanish texts, like El Conde Lucanor, provide a fascinating glimpse into the values and social hierarchies of La época medieval.
Las relaciones de poder
A course theme analyzing how power is distributed, asserted, and challenged among individuals, groups, or nations, often manifesting through social, political, or economic dominance.
Example:
The master-slave dynamic in Lazarillo de Tormes is a central exploration of las relaciones de poder.
Las relaciones interpersonales
A course theme focusing on the dynamics and interactions between individuals, including family, romantic, and social connections.
Example:
The complex bond between Don Quijote and Sancho Panza is a prime example of las relaciones interpersonales explored in literature.
Las sociedades en contacto
A course theme exploring the interactions, conflicts, and transformations that occur when different cultures, religions, or social groups encounter each other.
Example:
The clash between indigenous cultures and Spanish colonizers vividly illustrates las sociedades en contacto in many Latin American texts.
Metaphor
A figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable, suggesting a resemblance without using 'like' or 'as'.
Example:
When Garcilaso de la Vega describes a woman's hair as 'oro bruñido,' he is using a beautiful metaphor.
Plot summary
A brief recounting of the main events of a story, which should be avoided in analytical essays as it does not demonstrate critical understanding.
Example:
Instead of providing a plot summary, focus on analyzing how specific events contribute to the overall themes of the work.
Romance (genre)
A traditional Spanish ballad, typically narrative and often anonymous, characterized by octosyllabic lines with assonant rhyme in the even lines.
Example:
“Romance de la pérdida de Alhama” is a classic romance that recounts a historical event through poetic form.
Simile
A figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing with another thing of a different kind, used to make a description more emphatic or vivid, typically using 'como' (like/as).
Example:
The poet described the warrior's courage como un león, employing a powerful simile.
Temas
Recurring subjects or ideas explored throughout literary works, crucial for connecting different texts and eras in AP Spanish Literature.
Example:
The temas of love and honor are frequently explored across various works from the Golden Age.
Thesis (for FRQ)
A clear, specific, and arguable statement in an essay that presents the main argument and directly addresses the prompt.
Example:
A strong thesis statement for an FRQ should outline the main points of analysis and directly answer the question.
Términos Literarios
Literary devices and rhetorical figures used by authors to create meaning, enhance style, and evoke specific effects in their writing.
Example:
Identifying and explaining the function of términos literarios like hyperbole or symbolism is vital for strong textual analysis.