Week #8 Creating or Sharing Perception?

J Burns -

Something I’ve noticed over some of the previous years is the tendency for these classic pieces of literature, like the kinds found on AP tests, to use synesthesia. This is because it is used as a strategy in many cases. It can be so subtle that readers often don’t detect it. Some examples are found in King Lear, comparing beauty to warmth as well as in The Divine Comedy with descriptions of the sun as “silent”. I found that many participants in my surveys and even peers aren’t aware of this. Whether it’s because of this or how well the senses blend together or being unaccustomed with the kind of books it’s found it, I don’t know.

Either way, I felt inspired by it last week as I began drafting the beginning of my short story to present as I finish this project. This is something I’m hoping to mimic, especially after reading how beautifully the synesthesia is written in All The Light We Cannot See. To do this, I’ve been researching how synesthetes talk about their own synesthesia and how, since the phenomenon is not so foreign to them, they bring it up less in talking and writing. I’ve also been taking the time to decide about making the main character an artist. 

This would be to reflect how many synesthetes end up in artistic industries. But, again, it poses a question. And color kind of synesthesia if made into art is rather how the viewer sees the world, like painting a landscape in front of you, rather than inventing something entirely new. These are both valid forms of art, but from the representation I’ve seen, it’s primarily the first that synesthetes do. I am thinking about how to work this into the story, and, hopefully, a few more interviews will aid the process next week. 

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    skylar_c
    I love how you are planning to incorporate what you have learned into a story! I remember how beautiful the writing was in All The Light We Cannot See, so I can't wait to read it and learn more about the experience of synesthesia. Are there many stories that you have read or heard of that are told specifically from a synesthetes point of view and express their experiences?
    April 10, 2025 at 5:29 pm - Reply
    moorea_c
    I definitely never knew that synesthesia was used so often in literary works and think its amazing that you are going to be writing your own piece of literature incorporating it! Can't wait to see it!
    April 13, 2025 at 6:47 pm - Reply
    James Pierce
    That is a really interesting observation Jussynda! It's so interesting just how integrated synesthesia is in works that may not even seem like it. It's good to see you working on your short story, can't wait to see it by the end!
    April 20, 2025 at 1:08 am - Reply
    james_pi
    That is a really interesting observation Jussynda! It's really interesting just how integrated synesthesia is in what we read. It's also great that you're starting your short story, can't wait to see it once your project is done!
    April 20, 2025 at 1:43 am - Reply
    jussynda_b
    I'm hoping to include some cultural "synesthesia", too. Which isn't exactly synesthesia, but is inherently a part of our culture and more like a metaphor. More on this in the book.
    April 25, 2025 at 11:19 am - Reply
    jussynda_b
    I'm hoping to include some cultural "synesthesia", too. Which isn't exactly synesthesia, but is inherently a part of our culture and more like a metaphor. More on this in the book.
    April 25, 2025 at 11:19 am - Reply
    jussynda_b
    I haven't seen it be a main point in many stories, but if I try to sit down and think about it, I'm reminded of how broadly it's used. Especially in a lot of classic literature like the types we've been exposed to. I even remember it being discussed as a term to be aware of on an AP test, although it's not often used to talk about the whole condition, just bring awareness to certain senses within the stories.
    April 25, 2025 at 11:22 am - Reply

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