Fictional Devices: An Intuitive Way of Conveying Secret Information
Have you ever read a book or watched a movie that contained secret information unknown to the protagonist or the audience? Did you notice how the author or director kept you on the edge of your seat while conveying the information? Today, fictional devices are becoming increasingly popular in the creative world and are being used to convey secret information in an intuitive way.
Here, we will explore five amazing fictional devices used to convey secret information and their significance.
The Unreliable Narrator
The unreliable narrator is a fictional device that adds suspense and complexity to a story. It’s a character in the story that provides incorrect or incomplete information, making it difficult for the reader or the audience to differentiate between what’s true and false. This device is popular in the crime genre, where the unreliable narrator may be the actual perpetrator or one of the victims.
For example, in Gillian Flynn’s “Gone Girl,” the protagonist Amy Dunne becomes an unreliable narrator when she manipulates the events of her disappearance to frame her husband. The reader is left questioning her innocence while simultaneously identifying with her character, making for a suspenseful read.
The MacGuffin
The MacGuffin is a fictional device that drives the story but has little or no significance in the plot. It’s an object, idea, or goal that serves as a catalyst to the story’s events. The MacGuffin can be hidden, stolen, or sought after, and often provides a sense of urgency to the story.
For instance, in Jules Verne’s “Around the World in Eighty Days,” the protagonist Phileas Fogg must travel around the world in eighty days to win a wager. This wager serves as the MacGuffin in the story, driving the character’s actions and plot development.
The Red Herring
The Red Herring is a fictional device used as a misdirection in a story. It’s an object, character, or plotline that is presented to the audience as significant, but in reality, it’s not. Its purpose is to distract the reader or viewer, leading them to false conclusions.
For example, in Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Orient Express,” there are multiple Red Herrings given to mislead the reader about the identity of the murderer. The purpose of these Red Herrings is to keep the reader on their toes and create a sense of uncertainty, which is essential for this type of story.
The Dramatic Irony
The Dramatic Irony is a fictional device that creates a gap between the knowledge of the audience and the characters in the story. It’s when the audience knows more than what the character knows, making them aware of the impending danger or outcome that the character unknowingly faces. This device is commonly used in dramas and tragedies.
For instance, in William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” the audience knows that Juliet is not dead, but Romeo, who is unaware of this, commits suicide. The audience’s knowledge creates a sense of tension and emotion while adding depth to the characters.
The Foreshadowing
The Foreshadowing is a fictional device that hints at future events or plot development. It’s subtle and often appears insignificant at first, but later proves to be an essential aspect of the story. This device is used to build suspense and anticipation for the reader or viewer.
For example, in George R.R Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire,” the phrase “Winter is Coming” is continually repeated. This phrase serves as foreshadowing to the arrival of the White Walkers, an event that is essential to the overarching plot of the story.
Conclusion
In conclusion, fictional devices are an intuitive way of conveying secret information and building suspense in a story. Whether it’s Unreliable Narrators, MacGuffins, Red Herrings, Dramatic Ironies or Foreshadowing, these devices create a unique and unforgettable experience for the reader or viewer. Now that you have a better understanding of these devices, you can observe and appreciate them in your favorite stories and see how they can add value to the plot.
