Glossary
Aliteración
The repetition of initial consonant sounds in words that are close together, used to create musicality, emphasis, or a particular mood.
Example:
The phrase 'Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers' is a classic example of aliteración, making it memorable and fun to say.
Antítesis
A literary device that juxtaposes contrasting ideas or elements, often in parallel structure, to highlight differences and expose hypocrisy or double standards.
Example:
In the speech, the speaker used antítesis by saying, 'We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools,' to emphasize the stark choice.
Central Argument
The main point or thesis that an author is trying to convey or prove in a literary work.
Example:
The Central Argument of the essay was that technology, while beneficial, also poses significant risks to privacy.
Cuarteto
A four-line stanza, typically used in poetry, where each line often presents a concise idea or contributes to a larger thought.
Example:
The poet crafted a perfect cuarteto, with each line building upon the previous one to create a vivid image of the sunset.
El machismo
A strong sense of masculine pride and superiority, often characterized by an exaggerated assertion of male dominance and a devaluation of women.
Example:
The character's arrogant dismissal of his female colleague's ideas was a clear manifestation of el machismo prevalent in the workplace.
El sistema patriarcal
A social system in which men hold primary power and predominate in roles of political leadership, moral authority, social privilege, and control of property.
Example:
Many feminist literary critiques analyze how el sistema patriarcal limits women's agency and voice in historical narratives.
Historical Context
The specific time period and prevailing conditions that influenced the creation and meaning of a literary work.
Example:
Understanding the Historical Context of the Spanish Inquisition helps explain the veiled critiques found in some Golden Age literature.
Imagen
Vivid and descriptive language that appeals to the senses, creating mental pictures or sensory experiences for the reader.
Example:
The poet used powerful imagen to describe the 'velvet darkness' of the night sky, making the reader feel immersed in the scene.
La construcción del género
The social and cultural processes through which gender roles, expectations, and identities are shaped, rather than being solely determined by biological sex.
Example:
The novel explores La construcción del género by showing how societal pressures forced the protagonist into a role she didn't choose, simply because she was a woman.
New Spain
The colonial territory of the Spanish Empire in North America, encompassing present-day Mexico, Central America, and parts of the southern United States during the colonial era.
Example:
Many colonial authors, including Sor Juana, lived and wrote in New Spain, a vibrant but hierarchical society under Spanish rule.
Octosílabo
A verse line consisting of eight syllables, commonly used in Spanish poetry, which contributes to a poem's rhythm and musicality.
Example:
Many traditional Spanish ballads are composed in octosílabo lines, giving them a flowing, song-like quality.
Paradoja
A statement that appears self-contradictory or absurd but, upon closer inspection, reveals a deeper truth or insight.
Example:
The phrase 'less is more' is a classic paradoja, suggesting that simplicity can lead to greater impact.
Retruécano
A rhetorical device involving the reversal or alteration of word order in successive phrases or clauses to create a striking contrast, paradox, or emphasis.
Example:
The politician famously declared, 'It's not about living to eat, but eating to live,' a clever use of retruécano.
Societal Context
The prevailing social norms, values, and power dynamics within a society that shape individual experiences and literary expression.
Example:
The Societal Context of 19th-century Spain, with its rigid class structures, is crucial for understanding the social commentary in realist novels.
Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz
A prominent Mexican poet, scholar, and nun from the 17th century who challenged societal norms and gender roles through her intellectual pursuits and writings.
Example:
Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz's decision to enter a convent allowed her the intellectual freedom to write works like 'Hombres necios que acusáis,' defying the limited expectations for women of her era.
Tono
The author's or speaker's attitude toward the subject matter or audience, conveyed through word choice, sentence structure, and literary devices.
Example:
The author's tono in the satirical essay was clearly mocking, using exaggerated descriptions to criticize social conventions.