Stylistic and Literary Technique in Literature
Introduction
Stylistics is a branch of applied linguistics concerned with the study of style in books, primarily, but not exclusively, in literary works. Also called literary linguistics, stylistics focuses on the figures, tropes, and other rhetorical devices used to provide variety and a distinctness to someone’s writing.
Literary techniques are specific, deliberate constructions of language which an author uses to convey meaning. An author’s use of a literary technology usually occurs with a single word or phrase, or a particular group of words or phrases, at one single point in a text.
Literary techniques could also be defined as the way language is used to add more beauty to work. Literary techniques are also added to make the author’s message clear to the reader. Literary techniques could be avoidable. That means, if the author chooses, he can avoid using literary techniques. Examples of literary techniques are a metaphor, simile, personification, onomatopoeia, alliteration, etc.
In Betrayal in the City, Francis Imbuga uses various stylistic techniques to highlight his message. These include humor, irony, play-within-a-play, proverbs, songs, symbolism, and satire. Below are some of the stylistic and literary techniques used by Imbuga.
Satire
Satire is a way of making fun of people by using silly or exaggerated language. It is a technique employed by writers to expose and criticize foolishness and corruption of an individual or society by using humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule. Satire aims to improve humanity by criticizing its follies. In Betrayal in the City, the playwright ridicules the society at the beginning. In the typical crazy man synonymous with Francis Imbuga, Jusper the insane man has more reason than the ordinary non-crazy person. The community receives massive mockery because they are fence sitters in the running of the country. “After a while, they picked up stones and started to stone him. The whole crowd was throwing stones. When he fell, the people took to their heels, thinking him dead “These are the words of Jere to Nina and Doga about Jusper. Sadly, society condemns petty murders while offering no substantial contribution to the fight against injustices. Indeed, Jusper was a cold-hearted murderer, but the due process should have been followed. In his way, Francis Imbuga condemns those who proclaim the lack of justice, yet injustice still reigns in society.
Metaphor
Another literary technique used by Francis Imbuga is the use of Metaphor. Metaphor is defined as a figure of speech that makes an implicit, implied, or hidden comparison between two things that are unrelated, but which share some common characteristics. In other words, a resemblance of two contradictory or different objects is made based on a single or some common characteristics. In Betrayal in the City, Metaphor is employed as follows. Mulili tells Jere, “Big coward Jere, you a woman’s implication here is that Jere is a coward for sympathizing with Nina and Doga.
Jusper tells Regina, “Adika died for the truth..he was killed for asking whether or not we were on the right train’.Jusper here is adverting that Adika died for questioning how the country was being governed.
Tumbo tells Jusper that there is a good potato in the work they are about to do about money. Mulili refers to Jere as chicken-hearted.
Simile
A simile is a figure of speech that makes a comparison, showing similarities between two different things. Unlike a metaphor, an analogy draws resemblance with the help of the words “like” or “as.” Below are some of the instances of the use of simile in Betrayal in the City.
He was slaughtered like a goat.” This show how Adika was killed mercilessly. While referring to this co-actor in the Pilate story, Jere says of him. ‘he wailed like a woman in a death home.’ This is a pointer of the cowardice of the individual.
While referring to the terror inflicted on the citizens by Boss and his henchmen, Jusper tells Regina, they come quietly when you are least expecting and before you realize it, they have pounced on you like hungry leopards.’
Jusper goes on to say, “I defended his remains like a man’.This shows his determination and bravery in ensuring that his brother’s grave was not desecrated.
Symbolism
Symbolism is the use of symbols to signify ideas and qualities by giving them symbolic meanings that are different from their literal sense. Symbolism can take various forms. Generally, it is an object representing another, to provide an entirely different meaning that is much deeper and more significant. In Betrayal in the City, symbolism is portrayed in several ways
After Adika’s burial following his killing Nina says that his death has made them blind and left them in blindness. This words ‘blind’ and blindness symbolize the state of hopelessness or disillusionment of Doga and Nina.
Reference is made to the word ‘potato.’ Nicodemo asks Kabito, “did you get the potato?” Potato refers to the university tender. Kabito insists on knowing their terms of service and Nicodemo proceeds to ask the size of potato per hour they are entitled to. This is about allowanced due to them. ‘Potato” symbolizes corruption that is rampant in Kafira.
Boss orders an Askari to untie the hands of Mosese and Jere. The act of untying the two symbolizes their freedom and by extension, salvation or the citizens of Kafira. Askari is a symbol of oppression. Political prisoners like Jere and Mosese are mistreated while in prison.
Foreshadow
Foreshadow is a premonition that something is going to happen. Authors use words, signs, or events to prepare readers for something that is just occurring. Doga foreshadows Mulili’s death when he says ‘Empty words will be your downfall. May you die the way Adika did’ His words come to pass when Jusper shoots Mulili. After his parents are murdered in exchange for his release, Jusper says, “I will get my revenge someday, even if it means going alone” His words are fulfilled when he shoots Mulili dead. While reacting to Tumbo’s insistence that she must personally see Boss to secure her brother’s release , Regina says, “I have this funny feeling that something will go wrong’ Her fears are justified when later on Boss forcefully tries to get her, and she is only able to escape by jumping out of a ten foot high window.
Conclusion
As seen above, literary techniques are oftenly used in writing for emphasis or clarity. Authors will also use literary devices to get readers to connect more strongly with either a story as a whole or specific characters or themes.
References
- Arp, Thomas R.; Johnson, Greg (2009).
Perrine’s Literature: Structure, Sound, and Sense (10th ed.). Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
- ^ Arp & Johnson (2009),
3.Betrayal in the City-Francis Imbuga