Literary Techniques In The Shrysalids

1. Literary Techniques

John Wyndham used his literary techniques in ways which would give

the reader an easier understanding of what is happening. He used vivid

description, pathetic fallacy and similes in these ways. On the first page of the

book the author is describing David's dream of the city. He uses solid vivid

description which makes it easy for the reader to say that the author is describing

a present day city. "I could see the streets, and the buildings that lined them, the

waterfront, even boats in the harbour..." (pg5). Another literary technique the

author used is pathetic fallacy. John Wyndham uses pathetic fallacy when they

are battling the horsemen and the helicopter approaches. "Suddenly one of the

horsemen shouted and pointed upwards. I looked up too. The sky was no longer

clear. Something like a bank of mist, but shot with quick iridescent flashes, hung

over us. ..." (pg188). The author states that as soon as the helicopter arrives the

sky is not clear anymore. This is an example of an effective use of pathetic

fallacy. One simile that caught my attention was used when the battle with the

horsemen was going on. "Something like a bank of mist, with quick iridescent

flashes