Chapter 17 — Vocabulary

Vocabulary Words from Chapter 17

ambivalence (noun)

The state of having simultaneous, conflicting feelings toward a person or thing

impulsive (adjective)

Acting or done without forethought; driven by sudden urges rather than deliberate planning

foil (noun)

A character whose contrasting qualities highlight or emphasize the traits of another character

pragmatic (adjective)

Dealing with things sensibly and realistically rather than ideally or theoretically

disillusionment (noun)

The feeling of disappointment that results from discovering something is not as good as one believed it to be

performative (adjective)

Relating to behavior that is done for show or to project an image, rather than from genuine feeling

volatile (adjective)

Liable to change rapidly and unpredictably, especially for the worse; emotionally unstable

escapism (noun)

The tendency to seek distraction and relief from unpleasant realities through fantasy or retreat

dramatic irony (noun)

A literary device in which the audience understands more about a situation than the characters within it

trajectory (noun)

The path or course that something follows over time; the expected direction of development

incompatibility (noun)

The quality of being unable to exist or work together harmoniously; fundamental mismatch

oscillate (verb)

To move or swing back and forth between two points, states, or positions

irony (noun)

A contrast between what is expected and what actually occurs, or between appearance and reality

conformity (noun)

Compliance with standards, rules, or social expectations; behaving in accordance with accepted norms

deteriorate (verb)

To become progressively worse; to decline in quality, condition, or function