Synesthesia The Gothic Network

Cover What Is Synesthesia? (1200x1382)

Table of Contents

1. What is Synesthesia?
2. How Can Synesthesia be Used in Writing?
3. Examples of Synesthesia in Writing
4. How to Create Synesthesia in Your Writing
5. Tips for Using Synesthesia in Your Writing

What is Synesthesia?

Synesthesia is a neurological phenomenon in which stimulation of one sensory or cognitive pathway leads to automatic, involuntary experiences in a second sensory or cognitive pathway. In other words, synesthetes experience a blending of the senses in which one sense is experienced through another sense. For example, someone with synesthesia may see colors when they hear music, or taste flavors when they read words.

How Can Synesthesia be Used in Writing?

Synesthesia can be used in writing to create a more vivid and immersive experience for the reader. By describing sensations in terms of other senses, the writer can create a more sensory experience for the reader. For example, instead of simply describing a sunset as "beautiful," a writer could describe the colors of the sky as "a warm, golden-orange that tastes like honey on the tongue."

Examples of Synesthesia in Writing

One famous example of synesthesia in literature is from Vladimir Nabokov's "Lolita." In the novel, the main character describes the sound of a car horn as "a quart of molten silver." This description not only evokes a sense of sound, but also a sense of sight (silver).

Another example is from Sylvia Plath's poem "Tulips," in which she describes the color of the tulips as "too red," as if they are "burning through the sheets." This description not only evokes a sense of sight (color), but also a sense of touch (burning).

How to Create Synesthesia in Your Writing

To create synesthesia in your writing, start by thinking about the sensory experiences you want to describe. Then, try to think of other senses that could be used to describe those experiences. For example, if you want to describe the feeling of a hot summer day, you could use taste ("the air was thick and tasted of sweat") or sound ("the cicadas sang a chorus of heat") to help evoke that feeling.

Another way to create synesthesia in your writing is to use metaphors or similes that combine sensory experiences. For example, instead of simply saying a character was angry, you could say "her anger was a hot, pulsing red that tasted like copper in the back of his throat."

Tips for Using Synesthesia in Your Writing

When using synesthesia in your writing, it's important to make sure that the sensory experiences you're describing are relevant to the story or scene. Overuse of synesthesia can become distracting or overwhelming for the reader.

Additionally, it's important to make sure that the synesthesia you're using is accurate and believable. If you describe a sound that "tastes like chocolate," it may be difficult for the reader to suspend their disbelief.

Conclusion

Synesthesia can be a powerful tool in a writer's toolbox, allowing them to create more immersive and sensory experiences for their readers. By using synesthesia to blend sensory experiences, writers can create descriptions that are more vivid and memorable.