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Figurative Language

Figurative Language • figure of speech: isn't literally true; use words in ways that are not the normal, literal meanings • Figurative language is used to describe using comparisons, allusions, exaggerations • Figurative language is the color we use to amplify our writing. ( this is a metaphor )

Metaphor • A metaphor description that compares two things that do not obviously have similarities • Does *NOT* use “like” or “as” • Jamie’s suggestion is simply a Band-Aid for our predicament. • Hamlet: “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players…” • Elvis Presley: “You ain’t nothing but a hound dog, Cryin’ all the time…”

Simile • Similes use “like” or “as” to compare similarities between two things. • Muhammad Ali: “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. ” • Lolita: “Elderly American ladies leaning on their canes listed toward me like towers of Pisa” • William Wordsworth: “I wandered lonely as a cloud, that floats on high o’er vales and hills. ”

Pun • A pun is a play on words • Humorous effect is created by using words with multiple meanings or similar sounding words with different meanings • Romeo and Juliet: “Not I, believe me. You have dancing shoes with nimble soles; I have a soul of lead. ” • Great Expectations: “They seemed to think the opportunity lost, if they failed to point the conversation to me, every now and then, and stick the point into me. ” • President Franklin Pierce’s presidential campaign slogan in 1852 election (running against James Polk): “We Polked You in ‘ 44, We Shall Pierce You in ‘ 52”

Allusion • Reference to famous people, events, ideas from history, quotes, literature, pop culture • You’re acting just like a Scrooge!; She was Juliet and I was Romeo. ; You have married an Icarus, he has flown too close to the sun. • A good Samaritan helped me out. (Biblical allusion) • Josie opened Pandora’s box with her controversial question. (Mythical allusion) • We had just been told that there was nothing to fear but fear itself. • Meet your Waterloo! (Battle in which Napoleon was defeated- synonymous with something difficult to master)

Idiom • Short phrase in which the meaning is figurative and not literal • Usually these phrases are well known to specific cultures, regions, groups, etc. • • “Break a leg” is said before performing onstage. Curiosity killed the cat. Don’t cry over spilled milk. Fit as a fiddle (Why is this idiom and not simile? ) Kill two birds with one stone. Let the cat out of the bag; spill the beans Kick the bucket

Hyperbole • Over-exaggeration for the sake of emphasis. • A ton of worry was lifted from my shoulders. • Sammy’s smile was so big, it couldn’t fit through the door. • The man was older than the Himalayas. • It was so cold even the snow turned blue.

Symbol • An object, action, event, character, idea, etc. that represents something else (generally deeper and more significant) • Dove=peace; broken mirror=separation, red=passion or anger • In “Lord of the Rings” the One Ring symbolizes ultimate power- and audiences see how that power leads to evil and destruction • TKAM: Knothole= communication Mockingbird= ? Rabid Black Dog= ?

Personification • A thing (idea, animal, inanimate object) is given human attributes • The fire swallowed the entire forest. • Time and tide wait for none. • Romeo and Juliet: “When well-appareled April, on the heel of limping winter treads. ” • William Wordsworth: “I saw a crowd, a host, of golden daffodils… fluttering and dancing in the breeze. ” • Emily Dickinson: “Because I could not stop for Death. He kindly stopped for me-”

Mixed Figurative Language • Lolita: “Elderly American ladies leaning on their canes listed toward me like towers of Pisa. ” Simile, Allusion • W. H. Auden: “I’ll love you, dear, I’ll love you Till China and Africa meet, And the river jumps over the mountain And the salmon sing in the street, I’ll love you till the ocean Is folded and hung up to dry. ” Personification, hyperbole Miss Maudie loved. . even…weeds. With one exception, if she found a blade of nut grass in her yard it was like the Second Battle of Marne. Allusion or Simile?