LEXICAL STYLISTIC DEVICES IN LAUREN OLIVER’S NOVEL “BEFORE I FALL” AND THE SPECIFICS OF THEIR USE IN DEPICTING THE PSYCHOLOGICAL STATE OF THE CHARACTERS

Abstract

This article investigates the use of lexical stylistic devices in the novel “Before I Fall” by the American writer Lauren Oliver and examines their role in representing the psychological states of the characters. Lexical stylistic devices, including metaphors, similes, and hyperboles, are characterized by vivid imagery, visual expressiveness, emotional intensity, and stylistic richness, which enable the author to create highly detailed and compelling character portrayals while accurately conveying their emotional states. The study provides a detailed analysis of these devices in the context of constructing the psychological profile of the main character, seventeenyear- old Samantha Kingston, and explores how they influence the reader’s perception of the characters’ inner worlds, motivations, and internal conflicts. Particular attention is given to how the combination of multiple stylistic devices within a single sentence highlights the character’s inner struggles, doubts, fears, and emotional turmoil. As a result, readers are able to fully immerse themselves in Samantha’s world, experience her emotional fluctuations, feel moments of tension, and observe her process of internal transformation. It is revealed that Lauren Oliver deliberately combines stylistic devices to intensify emotional impact, create a cohesive psychological portrait, and emphasize the dramatic development of the narrative. The article also traces the dynamics of the protagonist’s psychological states throughout the novel and demonstrates how lexical stylistic devices reflect her character development and internal changes. Overall, the study shows that the effective use of metaphors, similes, and hyperboles in “Before I Fall” contributes to a profound depiction of character psychology, produces an emotionally rich literary text, and enhances the aesthetic, cognitive, and psychological engagement of contemporary readers.