A post on Industrial Scripts examines subtext and how to use it to convey character and theme. “Subtext refers to the implied meaning beneath a character’s words. It adds layers to the good dialogue, creating deeper connections and emotions in the reader or viewer,” the article states. “When done effectively, subtext transforms conversations into powerful storytelling tools.”
In his iceberg theory, Hemingway suggested that most of a story’s meaning is found beneath the surface – in other words, what’s not specifically on the page. Characters rarely state their feelings directly, leaving the audience to interpret their meanings.
In dialogue, think about what your character feels, but cannot say. Avoid having your characters state exactly what they want or what they’re thinking. Instead, have them refer to their thoughts indirectly, or use an intermediary element. A character who doesn’t want to sell his house and move may focus his anxiety on a tree that needs to be uprooted. Irony also relies heavily on subtext, as a character’s friendly words may hide bad intentions. Silence is another useful tool. A character can convey a lot of information by speaking slowly or refusing to speak at all.
Body language also can convey thought and intention. A character may seem cool on the outside, but his posture may reveal his tension or a sense of defeat. Lovers may communicate with a shared glance, or reveal affection even in the midst of a heated argument.
Subtext can also strengthen your conflicts. Each of your characters is dragging baggage and that should inform their willingness to fight for what they want. A character harboring bias or prejudice may be unwilling to state it outright, but will reveal it in action.
How can you write subtext into your story? Here are some tips:
- Focus on contradictions between what characters say and feel.
- Use the minimum amount of dialogue.
- Use misdirection by having characters talk around a topic or to argue about something unrelated instead of their real problem.
- Use setting and clothing to mirror character choices and change.
