Figurative language in literary analysis Literal and figurative language

figurative language can take multiple forms, such simile or metaphor. merriam-webster s encyclopedia of literature says figurative language can classified in 5 categories: resemblance or relationship, emphasis or understatement, figures of sound, verbal games, , errors.

a simile comparison of 2 things, indicated connective, , , , or verb such resembles show how similar.

example: cheeks roses, nose cherry.../and beard on chin white snow. (emph added)—clement clark moore

a metaphor figure of speech in 2 unlike things shown have type of resemblance or create new image. similarities between objects being compared may implied rather directly stated.

example: fog comes on little cat feet —carl sandburg

an extended metaphor metaphor continued on multiple sentences.

example: sky steps out of daywear/slips shot-silk evening dress./an entourage of bats whirr , swing @ hem, ...she s tried on every item in wardrobe. dilys rose

onomatopoeia word designed imitation of sound.

example: “bark! bark!” went dog chased car vroomed past.

personification attribution of personal nature or character inanimate objects or abstract notions, rhetorical figure.

example: because not stop death,/he kindly stopped me;/the carriage held ourselves/and immortality. —emily dickinson. dickinson portrays death carriage driver.

an oxymoron figure of speech in pair of opposite or contradictory terms used emphasis.

examples: organized chaos, same difference, bittersweet.

a paradox statement or proposition self-contradictory, unreasonable, or illogical.

example: statement lie.

hyperbole figure of speech uses extravagant or exaggerated statement express strong feelings.

example: had been walking long john thought might drink entire lake when came upon it.

allusion reference famous character or event.

example: single step can take through looking glass if re not careful.

an idiom expression has figurative meaning unrelated literal meaning of phrase.

example: should keep eye out him.
to keep eye out means watch out them.

a pun expression intended humorous or rhetorical effect exploiting different meanings of words.

example: wondered why ball getting bigger. hit me.
hit me. has 2 different meanings




^ montgomery, martin; durant, alan; fabb, nigel; tom furniss; sara mills (2007-01-09). ways of reading: advanced reading skills students of english literature. routledge. pp. 117–. isbn 9780203597118. retrieved 3 april 2013. 
^ merriam-webster, inc. (1995). merriam-webster s encyclopedia of literature. merriam-webster. p. 415. isbn 9780877790426. retrieved 23 april 2013. 
^ origin: 1350–1400; middle english < latin: image, likeness, comparison, noun use of neuter of similis similar. simile . simile, n. oxford english dictionary. 
^ kennedy, x. j., , dana gioia. introduction poetry. 13th ed. longman pub group, 2007. pg 594.
^ terban, marvin; joi, giulio maestro, (1993). figures!: fun figures of speech. houghton mifflin harcourt. pp. 12–. isbn 9780395665916. retrieved 23 december 2012. 
^ origin: 1525–35; < latin metaphora < greek metaphorá transfer, akin metaphérein transfer. see meta-, -phore metaphor . metaphor, n. oxford english dictionary. 
^ miller, carol rawlings (2001-03-01). irresistible shakespeare: 6 sensational scenes favorite plays , dozens of fun ideas introduce students wonderful works of shakespeare. scholastic inc. pp. 25–. isbn 9780439098441. retrieved 23 december 2012. 
^ fandel, jennifer (2005-07-30). metaphors, similes, , other word pictures. creative company. pp. 30–. isbn 9781583413401. retrieved 3 april 2013. 
^ extended metaphor . extended metaphor. dictionary.com. 
^ oliver, mary (1994). poetry handbook. houghton mifflin harcourt. pp. 103–. isbn 9780156724005. retrieved 6 march 2013. 
^ liddell, gordon f.; gifford, anne (2001-07-26). new scottish poetry. heinemann. pp. 131–. isbn 9780435150983. retrieved 3 april 2013. 
^ origin: 1570–80; < late latin < greek onomatopoiía making of words = onomato- (combining form of ónoma name) + poi- (stem of poieîn make; see poet) + -ia -ia onomatopoeia . onomatopoeia, n. oxford english dictionary. 
^ origin: 1745–55; personi(fy) + -fication personification . personification, n. oxford english dictionary. 
^ moustaki, nikki (2001-04-01). complete idiot s guide writing poetry. penguin. pp. 146–. isbn 9781440695636. retrieved 23 december 2012. 
^ origin: < post-classical latin oxymoron, figure of speech in pair of opposed or markedly contradictory terms placed in conjunction emphasis (5th cent.; oxymorum) < ancient greek ὀξυ-oxy- comb. form1+ μωρόςdull, stupid, foolish (see moron n.2). oxymoron . oxymoron. oxford english dictionary. 
^ origin: < middle french, french paradoxe (1495 noun; 1372–4 in plural paradoxesas title of work cicero; paradoxon (noun) philosophical paradox in post-classical latin figure of speech < ancient greek παράδοξον, in plural παράδοξαstoical paradoxes, use noun of neuter singular of παράδοξος (adjective) contrary received opinion or expectation < παρα-para- prefix1+ δόξαopinion (see doxology n.), after ancient greek παρὰ δόξανcontrary expectation paradox . paradox, n. oxford english dictionary. 
^ origin: < greek ὑπερβολήexcess (compare hyperbola n.), exaggeration; latter sense first found in isocrates , aristotle. compare french hyperbole(earlier yperbole). hyperbole . hyperbol e, n. oxford english dictionary.