Language

The language of the short story “The Recital” by Eimear Ryan is simple and easy to follow, including occasional Irish slang, meant to give the setting and characters authenticity: “…I wouldn’t trust him as far as I could throw him, the arrogant hoor.” (l. 69).

Imagery is used from time to time, to create mental images of the setting or how the characters behave, like in the following two examples: “It was one of those sleek, silvery wine bars: anonymous as an airport, the oversized glasses filled a third of the way.” (ll. 1-2); “…an expert at the hand to the small of the back, of the sincere han…

...

Similes and metaphors

Similes convey the protagonist’s perspective on the setting and characters, helping the writer build Grace’s characterisation. Grace describes the bar she works in as being as “anonymous as an airport” (l. 1), a simile that suggests that the bar is ordinary but crowded. The simile is also symbolic of the character’s own ano…

...

Repetitions

The writer uses repetition in the form of anaphora (repeating the same word in consecutive sentences) meant to suggest that the narrator likes observing her clients: “…

...

Symbols

The story includes a few symbolic elements, namely the bar piano, Jen’s awards, and the back of the bar.

The piano symbolises Grace’s dreams of becoming a pianist; the piano is mos…