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At long last, here is another instalment discussing the Fisherman’s Wife’s letters! Rather than going into depth about the specifics of their content, I will be going over the literary devices I utilised (with examples) when writing as her character. Spoilers ahead!
In addition to its literal definition, connotations refer to the associations, emotions, or meanings that a word or phrase evokes. These implied meanings can significantly affect the tone and mood of a text, as well as allow for deeper interpretations. Connotations are a powerful literary tool in shaping a reader's perception and experience of the text.
The following are two examples from the Fisherman’s Wife’s letters that included similar connotations:
An extract from ‘Fisherman’s Wife’s Letter #2’
An extract from ‘Fisherman’s Wife’s Letter #3’
I have chosen to use a specific connotation of death to evoke an eerie feeling and subtly communicate to the reader that the fisherman is going to die.
In the first example, the adjective ‘haunting’ suggests something ghostly and implies the supernatural. Not only does this tie in with the themes of folklore and superstitions in Keeper’s Veil, but it references the Keeper’s instability in that even the slightest reminder of his dead co-worker, to him, is like an apparition of his spirit.
In the second example, the adjective ‘heavenly’ (in reference to the Fisherman) hints towards his implied death at the end of the game as it suggests an afterlife. The phrase ‘heavenly manifestations of his dreams’ implies an eternal slumber (or death) and this aspiration of his would be where he remains after he dies. Even further, it could be interrupted that, through the devolving mental state of the Keeper, he reads ‘Allow him’ as almost a death request; that the Fisherman’s Wife is somehow asking for him to kill her husband.
Sibilance is the repetition of 's' sounds (or other similar sounds) and is often used to create an atmosphere of dread or to mimic hissing or whispering.
In the following examples, the repetition of the 's' sound evokes a sense of unease and tension, enhancing the atmosphere of the text.