Employing Subtext: Hemingway's Iceberg Theory, by Ashley Holloway
A craft article
Finding the perfect balance between offering too much and too little information in a story can be a challenge. This is where employing subtext can be helpful. Subtext is a literary device used to convey information about a character, plot, or setting without actually naming it. Instead, these details are provided implicitly; subtext is all about leveraging nuance.
Coined by Ernest Hemingway, The Iceberg Theory, also known as the “theory of omission” applies the concept of negative space in art to a writing context. Or, rather, by telling the reader everything by telling them very little. To compare this to an iceberg, only a small portion of the story’s details are visible or overtly communicated; these portions, which make up about 10% of the story, are “above the water.”
Just like an iceberg, about 90% of the story lies beneath the surface. These details, such as describing emotions or providing the backstory of a character affect the story in subtle or hidden ways. The “beneath the surface” part of the iceberg consists of the bulk of the story, or the underlying theme(s). Further, instead of telling the reader these details, the author shows them through the use of descriptive language and inference.
In trusting the intelligence of the reader and strategically omitting pieces of information, the writer can then drop breadcrumbs of information (i.e., subtext), doling these out with just the right frequency for the reader to follow along. Not only does this allow the reader to interpret the underlying themes and emotions themselves, but this also creates a greater degree of depth to the story. Further, this also encourages the reader to actively participate in the story.
Adding subtext to your writing can be done in several ways. Firstly, observe how this is done in other books or movies. For example, think about how you might convey privilege. Perhaps through describing the iconic Chanel suit paired with pearls and Louboutin heels a character wears. Likewise, by conveying details in the setting, such as the pristine marble surfaces spanning the kitchen countertops, punctuated by stainless steel appliances and matte white cabinets with crystal knobs could also do the trick.
Putting yourself in the shoes of your character might also be an effective strategy to create subtext. For example, if someone told you a big secret, how might you react? What pressures might you face in knowing this secret? Would you be tempted to tell others? How would you keep this secret? Answering these questions within the context of what you would do can be helpful in helping to “create your iceberg.”
Finally, review and revise, review and revise, and review and revise. Channel your inner Marie Kondo and practice minimalism in your writing. Now go spark some joy and write…
About the Author:
Self-proclaimed logophile and devourer of books, Ashley Holloway is a nurse, writer, and editor who teaches writing classes and healthcare leadership in Calgary, AB. She writes in a variety of genres with work appearing across Canada and the US and has co-authored three books. Ashley serves as Editorial Director at Unleash Creatives and her work has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize.