Language

Choice of words

The short story “The Fly-Paper” by Elizabeth Taylor is generally written in a formal style. The vocabulary is fairly advanced, with words rarely used in everyday conversation, such as “docile” (ready to accept control or instruction), “exasperated” (very angry), “brusqueness” (with a blunt manner). The language used in dialogue by Herbert comes across as odd and unsettling to the reader, because formal language tends to be used in writing more than in speech. Also, he is talking to a child, who might not have the same advanced vocabulary. Apart from using no contractions at all, the man also has a very pretentious way of expressing himself, that Sylvia can barely understand:

‘A budding Myra Hess,’ he went on. ‘I take it that you play the piano, as you seem to have no instrument secreted about your person.’
She did not know what he meant, and stared out the window, frowning, feeling so hot and anguished. (ll. 50-53)

Meanwhile, Mabel uses an informal language. She has a clear, straightforward way of expressing herself, which is another way she makes herself likable and trusted...