Literary Sphere

Malapropism in Detail Malapropism in Detail A malapropism is the incorrect use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one, often with a humorous effect. This literary device can occur unintentionally in everyday speech or be used deliberately by writers and speakers to create comedy or reveal character traits. Origin of the Term The term "malapropism" comes from the character Mrs. Malaprop in Richard Brinsley Sheridan's 1775 play The Rivals . Mrs. Malaprop frequently misused words, such as saying "allegory" instead of "alligator," creating humor through her mistakes. Sheridan derived the name from the French phrase mal à propos , meaning "inappropriate." Characteristics of Malapropisms Sound Similarity: The incorrectly used word sounds similar to the intended word. Different Meaning: The incorrect word has a significantly different meaning, often leadi...

50 important MCQs on The Comedy of Manners The comedy of manners is a genre of comedic literature that flourished in the late 17th and early 18th centuries in England. It is characterized by its depiction of the manners and social conventions of a particular class or society, often focusing on the upper classes. This genre satirizes the behaviors, affectations, and pretensions of the characters, revealing the absurdities and hypocrisies of their social milieu. The comedy of manners typically features witty dialogue, intricate plots, and a keen observation of social interactions. The roots of the comedy of manners can be traced back to ancient Greek and Roman comedies, such as the plays of Aristophanes and Plautus, which often lampooned contemporary society and its customs. However, it was in Restoration England (1660-1700) that the genre truly came into its own, influenced by the libertine atmosphere of the court of King Charles II and the French comedies of Molière. One of the earli...