So This Is War

“To bring you up to speed, yes, I was fucking his daughter. Yes, it was in the locker room. Yes, it was out in the open where anyone could walk in. Was it stupid? Absolutely. Have I lost my mind? One hundred percent. Do I have any defense? Not one. Nope, this was pure stupidity. This was a move by a desperate man brought to his knees. A weak man. A man with no morals. A man infatuated with a woman he can’t control himself around.”

The use of figurative language, repetition, anaphora, punctuation, fragmentation, and colloquial diction in this passage enacts Levi Posey’s internal conflict. Levi also uses the first-person direct address, breaking the fourth wall and speaking directly to the reader. This formal technique establishes an intimate relationship with the narrator. Levi’s conversational tone captures his vulnerability and openness as an individual. The comedic framing of the passage also sets the mood of much of the novel’s narration.

“I lean back ever so slightly as I take in the rest of his face. Strong, carved jaw sprinkled with a coarse five o’clock shadow. Distinctive cheekbones that are not too pronounced but high enough to offer this man some heavenly bone structure. A thick head of soft brown hair with a singular curl that falls over his forehead. And a pair of lips just full enough to entice anyone to beg for a make out session. He…is…hot.”

The use of descriptive language and detail conveys Wylie Wood’s intense physical attraction to Levi. Wylie uses adjectives including “strong,” “coarse,” “distinctive,” “high,” “heavenly,” “soft,” “singular,” and “full” to vivify Levi’s appearance and convey her physiological response to being in his presence. Her attraction to him in turn incites conflict between the characters as they try to balance their personal and professional lives.

“A master’s in business doesn’t provide a stable future. A master’s in business is like throwing a coin in a pond and hoping someone makes your wish come true. I don’t want a desk job, something that bores me day in and day out, and over the past year, I’ve come to realize that’s exactly what will happen if I continue moving forward with this degree. I don’t want to waste my time or your money.”

Wylie’s use of metaphor, anaphora, and