What is the name of that English tecnique where the authour deliberately associates the name of a character with their personality traits- for example Miss Blissful, who is a happy, serene, 'blissful' character... Kind of like implicit characterisation but its a different word. I NEED HELP! Cheers!
Thank you for using the Jiskha Homework Help Forum. Perhaps the word you are searching for is "symbolism?"
"A symbol is something that is itself and also stands for something else�cIn a literary sense a symbol combines a literal and sensuous quality with an abstract or suggestive aspect� ... Literary symbols are of two broad types: One includes those embodying universal suggestions of meaning, as flowing water suggests time and eternity, a voyage suggests life. Such symbols are used widely (and sometimes unconsciously) in literature. The other type of symbol acquires its suggestiveness not from qualities inherent in itself but from the way in which it is used in a given work. Thus, in Moby-Dick the voyage, the land the ocean are objects pregnant with meanings that seem almost independent of Melville's use of them in his story; on the other hand, the white whale is invested with meaning—and differing meanings for different crew members—through the handling of materials in the novel" (Source : Harmon & Holman, 507).
That can also be a simile. Similes usually have "like or as" but the comparison can be implied by naming the character after the characteristic that the author wishes to stress.
The technique you are referring to is called "onomatopoeia." Onomatopoeia is a figure of speech in which words imitate sounds associated with what they describe. However, based on your description, it seems that the word you are looking for is actually "aptronym" or "charactonym."
An aptronym or charactonym is a name that is aptly suited to a character's personality, traits, or role in a story. It is a form of literary wordplay, where the name itself conveys information about the character. For example, the name "Miss Blissful" fits the character's happy and serene nature, evoking a feeling of bliss.
To identify an aptronym or charactonym, you can analyze the name of the character and consider how well it reflects their personality, traits, or role in the story. Look for any direct associations between the name and the character's characteristics. It requires examining the author's intention in naming the character and the impact it has on the reader's understanding of the character.