Exploring the Role of Asides in Literature

Introduction

An aside is a literary device used to express a thought or comment that is not intended for other characters in the story to hear. It can be used in any form of literature, including fiction, drama and poetry, and has been employed by authors throughout the centuries to provide insight into characters’ thoughts and feelings.

Asides can be used for a variety of purposes, such as providing additional information about a character, setting up a plot twist or creating tension and suspense. In some cases, an aside can even be used to break the fourth wall, allowing the character to directly address the audience.

Exploring the Role of Asides in Fiction

In fiction, asides are most commonly used to provide further insight into a character’s thoughts and feelings. An author may choose to include an aside when they want to give readers a glimpse into a character’s innermost thoughts without revealing them to other characters in the story. This can be an effective way to build suspense and keep the reader guessing.

For example, in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, there is a scene where Harry overhears a conversation between two teachers and makes an aside to himself: “So that was why she had seemed so familiar…” This brief aside reveals to the reader that Harry has recognized one of the teachers, but he does not make this knowledge known to the other characters in the scene.

Analyzing Asides in Drama

In drama, asides are often used to create tension and suspense. They can also be used to provide the audience with additional information that other characters in the scene may not be aware of. This can be particularly effective in creating dramatic irony, where the audience knows something that the characters do not.

For example, in William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Romeo makes an aside when he sees Juliet for the first time: “O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!” Here, Romeo is expressing his admiration for Juliet, but the other characters in the scene are unaware of his feelings. This creates tension and suspense as the audience waits to see what will happen next.

Examining the Impact of Asides on Character Development

Asides can also be used to develop a character’s arc over the course of a story. By including an aside, an author can reveal character traits that would otherwise remain hidden from the audience. This can be an effective way to bring a character’s journey to life and create a sense of empathy in the reader.

For example, in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, the character of Atticus Finch makes an aside when he is faced with racism and bigotry: “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view—until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” This brief aside reveals Atticus’s compassion and empathy, which helps to shape his character arc throughout the novel.

The Significance of Asides in Poetry

Asides are also used in poetry to provide additional insight into the narrator’s thoughts and feelings. They can be used to add texture to a poem and create a more vivid image for the reader. In some cases, asides can even be used to create a sense of irony or contrast.

For example, in William Wordsworth’s I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud, the narrator makes an aside when he describes the daffodils: “They flash upon that inward eye / Which is the bliss of solitude.” Here, the narrator is expressing his appreciation for the beauty of nature, while also referencing the loneliness of his current state. This creates a sense of contrast between the joy of the moment and the underlying sadness of the narrator’s current situation.

Conclusion

Asides are a powerful tool that can be used to provide additional insight into a character’s thoughts and feelings. They can be used to create tension, suspense and irony, as well as to develop a character’s arc over the course of a story. Asides can also be used to create contrast and emphasize certain points within a poem. Ultimately, asides are a versatile literary device that can be used to great effect in any form of literature.