Regarding descriptions in books like "empty gaze" or "predatory stare," do you consider this a literary device or a genuinely perceptible physiological experience?

Hi, about this question, my view is: It is both a literary device and a tangible physical experience, and the two are complementary.

Let's break it down for easier understanding.

First, as a "literary device"

Think about it: when an author creates a villain or an inscrutable character, they can't spend pages explaining, "This person is dangerous, lacks empathy, and stares at people like prey…" That would be way too wordy.

Instead, a vivid phrase like "empty eyes" or "predator's glare" achieves the goal instantly:

Establish character quickly: Readers immediately understand this character is formidable—likely cold, callous, or even cruel.
Build atmosphere: These phrases create tension and suspense, sending a chill down readers' spines as if they are being watched.
Leave room for interpretation: It's a subjective description. The author doesn't need to spell out every detail; readers can draw from their own experiences to fill in the meaning behind the gaze. This often makes the character feel more vivid.

Essentially, it's a literary shortcut. It's incredibly efficient for instantly conveying a character's core traits and an aura of danger to the reader.

Second, as a "tangible physical experience"

This aspect is more fascinating because it's not conjured from nothing. Many authors use this trope precisely because, in real life, we genuinely feel such a gaze.

So what is this "feeling"?

It's not that you literally see any "light" or "void" in their eyes. Rather, it stems from a deep-seated, instinctual human response to non-verbal signals.

Consider:

Lack of emotional feedback: Everyday eye contact conveys information—joy, curiosity, sadness, embarrassment. Eyes "speak." An "empty gaze" occurs when you connect visually but receive zero emotional feedback. The person is looking at you, but their eyes like shuttered windows reveal nothing. This unnaturalness triggers instinctive unease.
Intense, unblinking focus: People instinctively glance away during prolonged eye contact—it's social etiquette. Some, however, stare with unnerving stillness, like a wolf observing prey. This isn't curiosity or affection; it's assessment, scrutiny. This socially abnormal fixation triggers our brain's "danger alarm."
A sense of "absent soul": This sounds mystical, but many have experienced it. You feel their gaze passes through you. They perceive your physical presence but not you as a person. In their eyes, you're an object, a tool, a means to an end. This feeling of being objectified is the chilling, visceral reaction.

The reason books like Jackson MacKenzie's Psychopath Free mention this is its known psychological link to traits like lack of empathy, narcissism, and antisocial tendencies. Individuals incapable of true emotional connection often possess this perceived "emptiness" or "calculating" look—this very "predatory vibe."

In summary

Therefore, "predator's glare" first denotes a real, instinctually sensed discomfort. Writers captured this subtle yet potent experience and distilled it into a concise literary device for character portrayal.

Because it roots in reality, encountering it in books feels vividly accurate, instantly conjuring images or recalling unsettling encounters from our own lives.

So, the next time you read a similar description, trust that it's not pure authorial embellishment. It draws from genuine biological and psychological foundations.