Chapter 24 — Vocabulary

Vocabulary Words from Chapter 24

ambiguity (noun)

The quality of being open to more than one interpretation; a situation or statement that is unclear or can be understood in multiple ways

psychoanalyst (noun)

A practitioner of psychoanalysis, a therapeutic method for treating mental disorders by investigating the interaction of conscious and unconscious elements in the mind

predatory (adjective)

Seeking to exploit or oppress others; relating to behavior that takes advantage of someone in a vulnerable position

paternal (adjective)

Relating to or characteristic of a father; showing the care and concern typical of a father figure

hypervigilant (adjective)

Excessively alert and watchful, especially regarding potential threats or danger, often as a result of past trauma

dramatic irony (noun)

A literary device in which the audience or reader understands more about a situation than the characters involved

trajectory (noun)

The path or course that something follows over time; the general direction in which a situation is developing

idealism (noun)

The pursuit of high or noble principles, often with an unrealistic expectation that the world should conform to one's ideals

foreshadowing (noun)

A literary device in which the author provides hints or clues about events that will occur later in the narrative

entrenched (adjective)

Firmly established and difficult to change; deeply rooted in a particular position or pattern of behavior

unreliable narrator (noun)

A narrator whose account of events cannot be fully trusted due to bias, limited knowledge, emotional involvement, or deliberate deception

pragmatic (adjective)

Dealing with things sensibly and realistically, based on practical rather than theoretical considerations

vulnerability (noun)

The quality of being exposed to the possibility of being harmed, either physically or emotionally; openness to attack or damage

self-destructive (adjective)

Characterized by actions or tendencies that damage or harm oneself, often unconsciously

thesis statement (noun)

A central claim or main argument that a writer or speaker establishes and then supports with evidence throughout a work