Epistolary: A Literary Device

Epistolary: Etymology, Literal and Conceptual Meanings

Epistolary: Etymology/Term

The term “epistolary” finds its roots in the Latin word “epistola,” meaning “letter.” It refers to a literary genre or style that employs letters, typically written correspondence, as a primary means of storytelling or conveying narrative. Epistolary works are composed of letters exchanged between characters, providing a unique and intimate insight into their thoughts, emotions, and experiences.

Literal Meanings:

• Letter-Based Format: Epistolary works are composed entirely or primarily of letters, forming the structure of the narrative.
• Correspondence Style: The literal meaning involves the use of written communications, such as letters, diary entries, or journal entries, to convey the story.

Conceptual Meanings:

• Intimacy and Authenticity: The use of letters creates a sense of intimacy and authenticity, allowing readers direct access to characters’ innermost thoughts and feelings.
• Narrative Perspective: Epistolary storytelling offers varied perspectives, as different characters express their viewpoints through their written communications.
• Realism and Connection: By mimicking real-life communication, epistolary works aim to establish a more genuine and relatable connection between characters and readers.
• Exploration of Identity: The format enables an exploration of characters’ identities through their personal reflections and the way they present themselves in writing.
• Suspense and Revelation: The unfolding of the narrative through letters can create suspense, as revelations occur gradually through the exchange of information.

In essence, the term “epistolary” encapsulates a storytelling technique that goes beyond its literal letter-based format, delving into the conceptual realm of authenticity, narrative perspective, and the nuanced exploration of characters and plot.

Epistolary: Definition as a Literary Device

Epistolary is a literary device characterized by the use of letters, diary entries, or other written forms of communication as a primary narrative structure in a work of fiction. This technique allows the story to unfold through the exchange of written correspondence between characters, providing an intimate and authentic insight into their thoughts, emotions, and experiences. Epistolary storytelling often enhances the reader’s engagement by presenting multiple perspectives and creating a sense of immediacy and realism.

Epistolary: Types and Examples

Type of Epistolary Work	Description	Examples
Single Character Letters	Narration is conveyed through letters written by a single character, offering a firsthand account of events.	– “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley
Multiple Characters’ Correspondence	The narrative unfolds through letters exchanged among multiple characters, providing diverse perspectives.	– “The Color Purple” by Alice Walker
Diary/Journal Entries	The story is presented through entries in a character’s diary or journal, revealing their inner thoughts.	– “Bridget Jones’s Diary” by Helen Fielding
Epistolary Novels	Entire novels are composed of letters, creating a comprehensive narrative structure through correspondence.	– “Dracula” by Bram Stoker
Mixed Media Formats	Various written forms, such as letters, newspaper clippings, or telegrams, are combined to tell the story.	– “Griffin & Sabine” by Nick Bantock
Emails/Modern Communication	Contemporary epistolary works use emails or digital communications to reflect modern modes of interaction.	– “Attachments” by Rainbow Rowell
Historical Documents	The narrative is constructed using historical documents, such as official letters or reports, for authenticity.	– “The Screwtape Letters” by C.S. Lewis
Unsent Letters	Characters write letters that are never sent, providing a window into their inner reflections and emotions.	– “84, Charing Cross Road” by Helene Hanff
Memoirs in Letter Form	The narrative takes the form of a character’s memoirs or reminiscences presented as a series of letters.	– “Dangerous Liaisons” by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos
Literary Criticism in Letters	Characters engage in intellectual discourse or criticism through letters, forming a unique narrative structure.	– “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

These examples demonstrate the versatility of the epistolary technique across various formats and time periods in literature.

Epistolary in Literature: Examples

• “Dracula” by Bram Stoker: This classic Gothic novel employs a collection of letters, diary entries, newspaper articles, and ship’s logs to unfold the chilling tale of Count Dracula’s pursuit of victims in England.
• “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley: Mary Shelley’s seminal work utilizes letters written by Captain Walton to his sister as a framing device for Victor Frankenstein’s narrative, exploring the consequences of scientific ambition.
• “The Color Purple” by Alice Walker: This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel unfolds through letters written by the protagonist, Celie, to God, documenting her struggles, triumphs, and personal growth in early 20th-century America.
• “84, Charing Cross Road” by Helene Hanff: This charming work is a collection of letters exchanged between the American writer Helene Hanff and a London bookseller, spanning two decades and revealing a deep love for literature and a unique cross-cultural friendship.
• “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky: This coming-of-age novel is presented in the form of letters written by the protagonist, Charlie, to an anonymous friend, offering a poignant exploration of adolescence, friendship, and mental health.
• “Griffin & Sabine” by Nick Bantock: This visually stunning work combines art with letters, telling the story of a correspondence between two characters, Griffin and Sabine, through beautifully illustrated postcards and letters.
• “The Screwtape Letters” by C.S. Lewis: In this satirical work, C.S. Lewis presents a series of letters from a senior demon, Screwtape, to his nephew Wormwood, offering guidance on tempting a human soul.
• “Dangerous Liaisons” by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos: This 18th-century epistolary novel unfolds through letters between French aristocrats, revealing the manipulative and seductive games played by the characters.
• “Attachments” by Rainbow Rowell: Set in the early days of email communication, this modern epistolary novel tells the story of a newspaper’s IT guy who reads the email exchanges between two colleagues and becomes entangled in their lives.
• “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows: This heartwarming novel is presented in the form of letters exchanged between the characters, revealing their experiences during and after the German occupation of the Channel Islands in World War II.

Epistolary in Literature: Relevance in Literary Theories

Literary Theory	Relevance of Epistolary
Reader-Response Theory	Engages readers directly through the intimate and personal nature of letters, prompting individual interpretations and emotional connections.
Feminist Literary Theory	Offers a platform for women’s voices and perspectives, allowing female characters to express themselves authentically in a historically male-dominated literary landscape.
Postmodern Literary Theory	Challenges traditional narrative structures by employing fragmented and diverse forms of communication, reflecting the postmodern emphasis on multiple perspectives.
Psychoanalytic Literary Theory	Provides insight into characters’ psyches through the expression of personal thoughts and emotions, offering a rich source for psychoanalytic interpretation and exploration of identity.

Epistolary works, with their emphasis on personal communication and varied perspectives, contribute to literary theories by providing unique avenues for reader engagement, feminist discourse, postmodern exploration, and psychoanalytic interpretation.

Epistolary in Literature: Relevant Terms

1. Envelope Story: A framing device where the main narrative is presented within the context of an outer story, often involving the discovery of letters.
2. Flashback: The use of letters to evoke past events or memories within the narrative.
3. Foreshadowing: Hints or clues within letters that suggest future developments in the plot.
4. Red Herring: Intentionally misleading information in letters to divert readers from the actual plot developments.
5. Eavesdropping: Characters unintentionally reading each other’s letters, creating dramatic irony.
6. Parallelism: The use of multiple sets of letters to draw comparisons or contrasts between characters or events.
7. Epistolary Silence: The absence of letters or communication, creating tension and suspense.
8. Letter-Writing as Characterization: Characters express themselves through their writing style, revealing traits, emotions, and personalities.
9. Interpolation: The insertion of additional material, such as poems or newspaper articles, within the letters to enrich the narrative.
10. Epistolary Satire: The use of letters to mock or criticize societal norms, behaviors, or institutions.

Epistolary in Literature: Suggested Readings

1. Bantock, Nick. Griffin & Sabine. Chronicle Books, 1991.
2. Chbosky, Stephen. The Perks of Being a Wallflower. MTV Books, 1999.
3. Hanff, Helene. 84, Charing Cross Road. Grossman Publishers, 1970.
4. Rowell, Rainbow. Attachments. Dutton, 2011.
5. Shaffer, Mary Ann, and Barrows, Annie. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Dial Press, 2008.
6. Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. Oxford University Press, 2009.
7. Stoker, Bram. Dracula. Oxford University Press, 1990.
8. Walker, Alice. The Color Purple. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1982.
9. Yeatman, Linda, and Todd, Peter. Voices: An Anthology of Poetry and Pictures. Oxford University Press, 1990.
10. Zevin, Gabrielle. The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry. Algonquin Books, 2014.