What Technique Is Used Here? (1 Viewer)

[David C]

In "Romulus, My Father" by Raimond Gaita, on page 119, Raimond writes "In his sighs I heard our isolation and for the first time I felt estranged from the area." Does anyone know the name of the technique used in the phrase "In his sighs I heard our isolation"? Isolation is not a state of being that can actually be heard in a sigh in a literal sense, in the same way that a sigh might literally convey frustration or sadness. I believe it's the same technique used in sayings such as "I can smell your fear", as fear does not have a literal scent. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance,
David C

 

[koreafantasy]

uhh, I'd go with metaphor for 'heard our isolation'. Its simply describing that the literal sigh emphasises the persona's sense of isolation.

 

[tigerian]

metonymy is the technique used here