In "Identities," W.D. Valgardson uses literary techniques to characterize the protagonist and his relationship to his identity. One of the key techniques used is irony. The protagonist, who is nameless, takes a spontaneous drive into the city, which is described as "dangerous." However, it is ultimately his own actions that lead to his demise, rather than any of the natural dangers in the city. This irony highlights the protagonist's lack of self-awareness and the disconnection between his perceptions of himself and the reality of his actions. Valgardson also uses certain details to further characterize the protagonist. The reader is given a view into the protagonist's thoughts and feelings, but they are limited and surface-level. We learn that he is "curious" and "bored" but not much more. This lack of depth in the protagonist's character further emphasizes his disconnection from his own identity and the shallowness of his actions. The irony is used to reveal the protagonist's lack of self-awareness. For example, when the protagonist says, "I am not a man to be trifled with," this statement is ironic because he ultimately loses to the …show more content…
The sentences are short and choppy, similar to the protagonist's disjointed thoughts. This scattered syntax reflects the protagonist's inability to fully understand his identity. Valgardson also uses syntax to reveal the protagonist's inner turmoil. The protagonist's thoughts are often disjointed, reflecting his confusion and lack of clarity. This is shown in phrases such as "I am not sure what I want" and "I am not sure who I am.” The contrast between the protagonist's perception of the city as "dangerous" and the reality of his own actions highlights the gap between his perspective and reality. The contrast serves to emphasize the protagonist's lack of self-awareness and the disconnection between his perceptions of himself and the reality of his