Advanced Placement (AP) English Literature Practice Exam

What is a common goal in the use of anticlimax?

1. To build tension leading to a dramatic conclusion

2. To provide a comedic or satirical effect

3. To highlight character motivations

4. To emphasize the gravity of an issue

The correct answer is: To provide a comedic or satirical effect

The use of anticlimax often serves to create comedic or satirical effects within a narrative. This technique involves leading the audience to expect a significant or intense climax, only to deliver a less intense or disappointing outcome. By subverting expectations in this way, authors can generate humor or critique societal norms, highlighting the absurdity of a situation. For instance, in works of satire, an anticlimax can expose the hollowness of pretensions or grandiose expectations, effectively underlining the contrast between what characters desire and what they ultimately experience. This technique can reveal the irony inherent in human behavior, making it an effective tool for both humor and social commentary. The inherent disappointment felt in the anticlimactic moment can invite laughter while also provoking thought regarding the subject matter. While building tension for a dramatic conclusion is a common goal in narrative structure, anticlimax deliberately disrupts this pattern. Similarly, while highlighting character motivations is an important aspect of character development, anticlimax primarily pivots around the expectations of the audience rather than the complexity of character drives. Lastly, emphasizing the gravity of an issue differs fundamentally from the lightness often associated with anticlimax; it tends to redirect focus toward a deeper understanding rather than a comedic resolution.