“This happens because Ebola damages the brain in some way that isn’t known.”

- Richard Preston, Crisis in the Hot Zone

In this quote, Preston specifically says “some way that isn’t known” as opposed to “an unknown way.” The sentence could be grammatically concluded with just “some way,” and this grammatical ending being drawn out by the addition of “that isn’t known” draws more attention to the absence of knowledge. This, in turn, elicits more fear and further builds a sense of helplessness in the face of Ebola.

“Being pregnant is hard. I didn’t believe that before I got pregnant, perhaps because I spent my

twenties and thirties avoiding the tribe of fertile women and their ensuing progeny.”

-Francesca Moisin, Pandemic Pregnancy: What A Brooding Octopus Taught Me About Biding Time

The wording Moisin uses to describe women in their 20s and 30s is overly scientific and uncommon in everyday language that she estranges them from herself. Depicting this group as a “tribe” paints imagery of documentaries and studies of foreign groups rather than a demographic she is a part of. Therefore, this sentence further establishes her inability to relate to these people in her past.

“It is with great regret that I must confirm that the wizard styling himself Lord—well, you know who I mean—is alive and among us again,” said Fudge, looking tired and flustered as he addressed reporters. “It is with almost equal regret that we report the mass revolt of the dementors of Azkaban, who have shown themselves averse to continuing in the Ministry’s employ. We believe that the dementors are currently taking direction from Lord—Thingy.”

-J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Fudge's superfluous way of speaking illustrates his anxiety at dropping such grievous news. He elongates his phrases with inessential words to try to seem dignified in the face of reporters and to avoid bluntness.

"‘Under the impression,’ said Mr. Micawber, ‘that your peregrinations in this metropolis have not as yet been extensive, and that you might have some difficulty in penetrating the arcana of the Modern Babylon in the direction of the City Road,—in short,’ said Mr. Micawber, in another burst of confidence, ‘that you might lose yourself—I shall be happy to call this evening, and install you in the knowledge of the nearest way.’"

- Charles Dickens, David Copperfield

Dickens uses periphrasis to establish humor by portraying a character who almost exclusively speaks in this manner in this quote, conveying that he is acting as a ludicrous and unrealistic man. The use of unnecessary and unfamiliar vocabulary here is excessive to the point that it threatens to impede comprehension, further contributing to a humorous mood from the ridiculousness of such language.

PERIPHRASIS

// SUMMONER

//In a fight, they avoid a direct confrontation and send out their beasts to seek a roundabout path to the end.

Periphrasis does not see the appeal of a direct approach when they can put in the thought to craft a specific creature for the job. They believe that there is more meaning behind their actions this way. Occasionally, Periphrasis will spend a long time summoning to avoid a topic and delay conveying their intent.

“I just want to make sure you know how much thought I put behind everything~”

REFLECTION

For Periphrasis, I wasn't entirely sure what to do at first, and incidentally, this is one that is not a direct DnD class. However, ultimately I decided to play into the part of avoiding direct confrontation and potentially convoluted meanings. Therefore, they became a summoner who complicates matters by making magical creatures do all their work for them. I also gave them a smirk because I felt like periphrasis very easily gives way into condescension by speaking purposefully in jargon or language no one uses even in an English paper.