Hypallage is a literary device in which the usual relationship between words is reversed or transferred, typically when an adjective or modifier that logically describes one word is applied to another instead. It often creates a striking or poetic effect.
✅ Definition: The transference of a word (usually an adjective) from the word it logically modifies to another word in the sentence.
✅ Example:
- “I wandered through the sleepless streets.”
- Here, “sleepless” logically describes the people, but it’s applied to the streets.
- “Happy morning greeted us.”
- The morning itself isn’t happy; it’s the people experiencing it who are happy.
Hypallage is often used in poetry and literary prose to create vivid imagery or unexpected associations.
And there it is! Now go ahead and use hypallage in your CXC prep/CSEC prep.
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