- Metaphors: Giles uses metaphors throughout the novel to compare and contrast different aspects of the characters' lives and experiences. For example, she compares the protagonist, Kit Gordon, to a "wild horse," suggesting her untamed spirit and independence.
- Similes: Giles also uses similes to compare different things, but she uses "like" or "as" to make the comparison explicit. For example, she describes Kit's fear as "like a cold wind blowing through her."
- Personification: Giles uses personification to give human qualities to non-human things. For example, she describes the town of Bently as a "crouching beast," suggesting its threatening and oppressive atmosphere.
- Symbolism: Giles uses symbols to represent abstract ideas or concepts. For example, the shattering glass in the novel's title symbolizes Kit's shattered illusions and the breaking down of her old beliefs and assumptions.
- Irony: Giles uses irony to create tension and surprise in the novel. For example, the book's antagonist, Pastor Beecham, is a religious leader who preaches about love and forgiveness, yet he is also responsible for some of the most violent acts in the novel.
- Foreshadowing: Giles uses foreshadowing to hint at future events and create a sense of suspense. For example, early in the novel, Kit has a dream about a man with a knife, foreshadowing the violence that she will later encounter.
- Flashback: Giles uses flashbacks to provide backstory and fill in gaps in the narrative. For example, in one flashback, Kit remembers her mother's death, which gives insight into her childhood trauma.
- Allusion: Giles makes references to other literary works, historical events, or cultural icons throughout the novel. For example, she alludes to the biblical story of Adam and Eve, as well as to the Salem witch trials.
These are just a few examples of the literary devices used in "Shattering Glass". By employing these techniques, Giles creates a rich and complex narrative that explores themes of identity, trauma, and the power of love and resilience.