Anatomy of Criticism

Anatomy of Criticism Glossary

Anagogic

A spiritual or religious interpretation of a text.

Apollonian

Rational and logical, as opposed to sensual, as associated with the Greek god Apollo, and contrasted with Dionysian.

Dionysian

Sensual, as opposed to rational, as associated with Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, and contrasted with Apollinian

Archetype

A symbol, usually an image, used in multiple works of literature.

Comedic

A form of fiction in which characters and society are integrated.

Dianoia

The meaning of a work of literature.

Encyclopedic

A thematic form in which ideas are expressed on behalf of a society.

Episodic

A thematic form in which ideas are expressed individualistically.

Ethos

The social world within a work of literature.

Ironic

A mode of fiction in which the characters are inferior to the reader.

Melos

The sound and rhythm of literature, like musical melody.

Mimesis

Imitation, as when a work of fiction seeks to represent real life.

Mode

The power of action of the protagonists in a story.

Myth

A collection of archetypes that go together.

Mythoi

Phases in a cycle of archetypal imagery, associated with the four seasons.

Mythos

The plot of a work of literature.

Naïve

Used to mean popular or basic.

Pharmakos

A synonym for “scapegoat.”

Thematic

Dealing primarily with ideas, instead of with plots.

Tragic

A form of fiction in which characters and society are alienated or at odds.

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