Language

Style of writing

The language in Fiona Barr’s short story “The Wall-Reader” is formal and elevated. The style of language reflects the main character’s lofty idealism, as it seems in contrast with her status of a middle-class housewife. The vocabulary is also in contrast with how people expect her to be “down-to-earth.” Complex phrases such as “a world-shattering thesis on their psychological complexities” or “ante-natal self-indulgence” reflect Mary’s aspiration to be something more than she is now.

The story relies heavily on descriptive language. Descriptions of the city of Belfast highlight the political tensions and the neglect of other issues. The park, for example, is described as desolate and uncared-for. At other times, descriptions are used to create atmosphere and suspense:

Huddled together in their anxiety, they kept vigil in the darkened room. Rain had begun to pour from black thunderclouds. Everywhere it was quiet and still. Hushed and cold they waited. Ten o’clock, and it was now dark. A blustery wind had risen, making the lattice separation next door bang and clatter.

The tense description of Mary and Sean spending their last hours in their house in Belfast provides the readers with a sense of restle...