Glossary
Acotación (Stage Directions)
Instructions written into the script of a play, indicating stage actions, movements of performers, or production requirements.
Example:
The acotación '(El hombre ladra y se arrastra por el suelo)' vividly illustrates the protagonist's degrading transformation.
Actors 1, 2, and 3
Characters who serve as narrators and commentators, blurring the lines between fiction and reality and questioning social norms.
Example:
The constant interjections and role-switching by Actors 1, 2, and 3 create a meta-theatrical experience for the audience.
Ambiente (Setting)
The time, place, and social context in which a literary work occurs, influencing the mood and character development.
Example:
The gloomy, rain-soaked streets of the city created a perfect ambiente for the detective story's somber tone.
Avant-garde literary movement
A movement that emerged in the early 20th century, characterized by experimental and innovative artistic works that challenge traditional forms and conventions.
Example:
The playwright's use of non-linear narrative and abstract staging was a clear sign of the avant-garde literary movement influencing his work.
Conformity
Behavior in accordance with socially accepted conventions or standards, often at the expense of individual expression.
Example:
The pressure for conformity in the workplace meant that employees rarely challenged established procedures, even when inefficient.
Dehumanization
The process of depriving a person or group of positive human qualities, often leading to their treatment as objects or animals.
Example:
The factory's monotonous work and harsh conditions led to the dehumanization of its laborers, stripping them of their individuality.
Dialogue
A conversational exchange between two or more characters in a literary work, revealing character, advancing plot, and exploring themes.
Example:
The witty dialogue between the two rivals kept the audience captivated throughout the entire scene.
Economic inequality
The unequal distribution of income, wealth, or opportunities among different groups within a society.
Example:
The stark contrast between the opulent mansions and the crowded slums highlighted the severe economic inequality in the city.
Hipérbole (Hyperbole)
Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally, used for emphasis or effect.
Example:
The student claimed he had 'a million things to do' before the exam, a clear hipérbole to express his stress.
Irony
A literary device where there is a contrast between expectation and reality, often used to highlight absurdities or contradictions.
Example:
It was a cruel irony that the man who preached freedom was himself imprisoned by his own fears.
Las divisiones socioeconómicas (Socioeconomic Divisions)
An AP Spanish Literature theme focusing on the disparities in wealth, status, and opportunity that create distinct social classes and their impact on individuals and communities.
Example:
The stark contrast between the lives of the wealthy elite and the impoverished working class highlighted las divisiones socioeconómicas in the city.
Las relaciones de poder (Power Relationships)
An AP Spanish Literature theme analyzing how power is distributed and exercised between individuals, groups, or institutions, often leading to dominance, oppression, or resistance.
Example:
The struggle between the tyrannical ruler and the rebellious peasants illustrated the complex relaciones de poder at play in the kingdom.
Las relaciones familiares (Family Relationships)
An AP Spanish Literature theme examining the dynamics, bonds, and conflicts within families, and their role in shaping individual identity and societal structures.
Example:
Despite the external hardships, las relaciones familiares provided a crucial source of strength and resilience for the protagonist.
Las sociedades en contacto (Societies in Contact)
An AP Spanish Literature theme exploring the interactions, conflicts, and power dynamics that arise when different social groups, cultures, or classes encounter each other.
Example:
The novel vividly depicted las sociedades en contacto through the clash between indigenous traditions and colonial influences.
Meta-theatrical element
A device in a play that draws attention to its own artificiality as a theatrical performance, often by breaking the fourth wall or having characters acknowledge they are in a play.
Example:
The actors directly addressing the audience about their roles was a clear meta-theatrical element that challenged traditional dramatic conventions.
Personaje (Character)
An individual represented in a literary work, whose actions and traits contribute to the plot and themes.
Example:
Each personaje in the novel, from the hero to the villain, was meticulously developed to serve a specific narrative purpose.
Political repression
The act by a government or ruling power of suppressing dissent and opposition through force, censorship, or other authoritarian means.
Example:
During periods of political repression, artists often use allegory and symbolism to critique the government without direct confrontation.
Público (Audience)
The spectators or listeners of a performance, often acknowledged in meta-theatrical works to break the fourth wall.
Example:
The direct address to the público at the play's opening immediately engaged them in the unfolding drama.
Satire
The use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues.
Example:
The political cartoon used sharp satire to mock the absurd promises of the presidential candidates.
The Employer
A character representing oppressive power structures and the degrading effects of certain jobs on individuals.
Example:
The callous demands of The Employer force the protagonist into an undignified position, highlighting the exploitation of labor.
The Man
The protagonist of *El hombre que se convirtió en perro*, who takes on the role of a dog due to desperation for work, symbolizing dehumanization and loss of identity.
Example:
The tragic transformation of The Man into a barking animal underscores the play's critique of societal pressures.
The Man's Wife
A character in the play who provides moral support and compassion to her husband, representing resilience and humanity amidst societal pressures.
Example:
The Man's Wife's unwavering loyalty offers a glimmer of hope and human connection in a bleak world.
Theater of the Absurd
A post-WWII dramatic movement that portrays the meaninglessness of human existence through illogical plots, repetitive dialogue, and characters facing existential crises.
Example:
The characters' endless waiting for a mysterious figure in Waiting for Godot is a quintessential example of the Theater of the Absurd.