“Wifey” (post 2) by Judy Blume: Italics used for Ego-syntonic Fantasies and Thoughts vs. Ego-alien Voices

Sandy, the protagonist, for nearly two whole pages, which are rendered mostly in italics, appears to meet and have a sexual encounter with the plumbing contractor for her new house (1, pp. 172-173).

Then, suddenly, the italics disappear, and she has an ordinary discussion with the real plumbing contractor for about a half page (1, p. 174), proving the previous encounter to have been an ego-syntonic fantasy.

Comment: Most authors appear to conceive of italics—apart from their mundane use for emphasis—as a way to indicate that something is going on in the character’s mind, whether the thoughts are realistic or fantasy, ego-syntonic (which feel to characters like their own thoughts or fantasies) or ego-dystonic, ego-alien, voices of alternate personalities. The latter distinction re voices is a contribution of this blog.

1. Judy Blume. Wifey. New York, Berkley Books, 1978/2005.