Chapbook research: Analysing literary techniques for a Chapbook project

In this post I would like to describe some  literary techniques which I want to use in my book "The soul with green eyes". Additionally, for good understanding of the techniques, I would like to show examples of other writers.

Illustration by Emily Temple

Firs of all, there is important that my story is based on the old culture legends and there is about quite mystic world. So, have a sense to focus on the some way of ideas.

Symbolism 

Usually, what the symbol looks like is a key to helping us understand the idea that it symbolises. It allows the reader to see concepts and ideas in interesting descriptions or words that should fire the reader's imagination. 

For example in books of Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling, author use lot's of symbols, such as: "Harry's scar is symbolic of his bravery and survival. However, it also symbolizes his connection to Lord Voldemort and how he must continuously choose the good, brave path. Albus Dumbledore’s name is a symbol of his personality. For example, Dumbledore means “bumblebee” in Old English and he liked to hum. Also, Albus means "white," which may symbolize a white wizard or good wizard." (Betts, 2021).

In my book I want to show symbolism through few points:

• Main character of the story Mavka has a green eyes which a mentioned in the name of the chapbook "The soul with green eyes". This color chose with purpose to show connection Mavka with nature. 
• In the illustration to my Chapbook, lot's of details such as branches which directly connect with clothes of main character, because again based on the legend soul of Mavka was described as a almost naked young woman with dress of branches.

Metaphor

Is a figure of speech that directly compares one thing to another for rhetorical effect. This figure of speech is more popular in the poems. For example "one of the most famous examples of metaphor in the English language comes from William Shakespeare’s As You Like It. In it, the playwright writes: All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players." (Master Class, 2021). But at the same time metaphor is popular in the books and stories.

In my book I would like to add some metaphor as well, and currently I do have some ideas and points:

• In my introduction with describing the story I used comparing forest leaves to the green arms
  
  
  
  
  
• Next example is in second part of the book: "Her deep green eyes and incredible beauty caught the imagination of those who dared to talk about her". This metaphor compares Mavka eyes and beauty to a magical element that takes over the minds and thoughts of those who discuss it. This means that her eyes and beauty have a mesmerising that draws people.

Point of view

According to Writers Edit article there is exist three main point of view in the writing; first, second, third. 

First person – when the writer uses words such as ‘I’ and ‘myself’. Second person – uses personal pronouns, words such as ‘you’, ‘your’ and ‘you’re’. Third person – writing that describes another person’s feelings and experiences using pronouns such as ‘he’, ‘she’, ‘they’. 

In my Chapbook I choose third person narrative "a third-person narrative is a person who tells a story from the outside, who is not a character in the story and never refers to himself." (Writers Edit, 2021)

Flashback

A flashback is a narrative interruption that depicts events that have already happened, usually before the present or before the time in which the story is set. This technique is often used to give the reader more background information and details about specific characters, events or plot points. 

For example "The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald: "In my young and impressionable years, my father gave me advice that I have been poring over in my head ever since." (Master Class, 2021). This is how Fitzgerald's novel The Great Gatsby begins. He uses a flashback in the first scene of the first chapter to begin his story.

In my story I use this technic to show memories and express Mavka's negative experience from the past events, with describe her character and fears much better.

References:

Betts, J. (2021). Examples of Symbolism in Literature. [online] www.yourdictionary.com. Available at: https://www.yourdictionary.com/articles/examples-symbolism-literature [Accessed 12 Mar. 2024].

MasterClass (2021a). What Is a Flashback? Definition and Examples of Flashbacks. MasterClass. [online] Available at: https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-a-flashback# [Accessed 12 Mar. 2024].

MasterClass (2021b). What Is a Metaphor? Definition and Examples of Metaphor in Literature. MasterClass. [online] Available at: https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-a-metaphor [Accessed 12 Mar. 2024].

Muniz, H. (2020). The 31 Literary Devices You Must Know. [online] Prepscholar.com. Available at: https://blog.prepscholar.com/list-of-literary-devices-techniques [Accessed 12 Mar. 2024].

WritersEdit (n.d.). Literary Devices: Point of View - Writer’s Edit. [online] Writers Edit. Available at: https://writersedit.com/writing/literary-devices-point-view/ [Accessed 12 Mar. 2024].