Figurative Languagein Poetry

Parlin PardedeUniversitas Kristen Indonesia

Literal Vs Figurative Language

Literal language means exactly what issaid. It is the straightforward or factual orthe dictionary meaning of a word.Figurative language means more thanwhat it says on the surface. It isimaginative, and conveys not just thefacts, but an idea.

Simile

a comparison between two seemingly unlikethings using like, as, as…so, than, similar to,or resembles.

John is as strong as a lion (a simile)John is as strong as Jack (not a simile)He speaks like a thunder (a simile)Her smile resembles a sunny day (asimile)

Metaphor

a word or phrase that ordinarily designates onething is used to designate another, thus makingan implicit comparison.

John is a lionThe world is a stage of dramaHe carried the weight of the world on hisshoulders.My village is on the foot of Mount MerapiThe cat is sleeping on my right foot (not ametaphore)

Allusion

a reference to a famous person, event, orother literary work

I was surprised his nose was not growinglike Pinocchio’sThe village is like a Garden of Eden.You are a Solomon when it comes tomaking decisions.

Metonymy

a word or phrase that is used to stand in foranother word with which it is closely related

The pen is mightier than the swordfrom the cradle to the grave” (=fromchildhood to death)The House was called to order.We have always remained loyal to the crown

Synecdoche

a figure of speech in which a part stands for awhole, An individual stands for a class, a materialstands for a thing, (or the reverse of these three) isexpressed:

She’s preparing her dish (an entire plate of food)Can you lend me a hand? (help)Jakarta talks to Tokyo in the summit meetingTheWhite Housewill be announcing the decisionaround noon todayGive us today our daily bread.

Allegory

(from the Greek, means "to speak so as toimply something other“), allegory is adescription that has a second meaningbeneath the surface one

The Prodigal Son (Luke 15: 11-32)Si Kancil & Buaya

Symbol

a word or object that stands for anotherword or object. Usually that other word orobject is concrete.

Doves finally fly in the country’s sky.Didn’t Eve ate the apple first?You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.

Personification

giving human characteristics to inanimateobjects

The stars winked at me.The rain kissed her cheeks as it fell.Lightning danced across the sky.Trees bowed to the ground.The flowers begged for water.

Overstatement (Hyperbole)

a deliberate exaggeration

I am so hungry I could eat ahorse.I have a million things to do.

I had a ton of homework.

As I Walked Out One Evening

"I'll love you, dear,I'll love you till China and Africa

meet,And the river jumps over the

mountainAnd the salmon sing in the street,I'll love you till the oceanIs folded and hung up to dryAnd the seven stars go squawkingLike geese about the sky.“

(by W.H. Auden)

Understatement

An expression which shows a situationseems less important or serious than it is.

I have to have this operation. It isn't veryserious. I have this tiny little tumor on thebrain.“Men have died from day to day.

Paradox (Oxymoron)

a contradiction between two things thatseemingly cannot be resolved

The child is father of the man.She often feels alone in a crowd.Always remember you're unique, just likeeveryone else!Nancy is a non-working mother

Irony

the expression of one’s meaning by using words thatmean the direct opposite of what one really intendsto convey

Water, water everywhere” but not a “drop” todrink.Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the WarRoom.That traffic cop gets his license suspended forunpaid parking tickets.The unsinkable Titanic sank on its maiden voyagein 1912.

Identify the figurativelanguages in this poem

April Rain Song

Let the rain kiss youLet the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid dropsLet the rain sing you a lullabyThe rain makes still pools on the sidewalkThe rain makes running pools in the gutterThe rain plays a little sleep song on our roof at nightAnd I love the rain.

Langston HughesFrom: http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/april-rain-song/

Love Is

Love is a burning candleIt's not always easy to handleIt burns, but it's still beautifulAnd it makes celebrations oh so meaningful

It's a sunsetBurning with romanceA song...That makes you want to dance...

T.M.L.From: http://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/love-is

All roads lead to Rome

In spite of her left-leaning philosophyalong Ho Chi Min trail she fled Hanoiso she wouldn’t have to eat no morethousand-year-old Egg Fu Youngshe felt too young and craved for them no more

She had a penchant for the dolce vitaFearlessly came to Pisaand gorged on Pizza Hut next to its towernever minding its right wing leaning

thousand-year-old egg

Alex NodopakaFrom: http://www.poemhunter.com/best-poems/alex-nodopaka/all-roads-lead-to-rome-3/

Two Roses

Two seeds are planted,One in a pile of dirtOne in a garden bedThe one in the dirt has shit put on itThe one in the bed has perfume put on itThe one in dirt grows slowerThe one in the bed grows fastThe one in the dirt grows stronglyThe one in the bed grows weaklyThe one in the dirt grows to be beautifulThe one in the bed grows to be uglyThe one in the dirt livesThe one in the bed dies.

Eugene BinxFrom: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/two-roses-poem.html

When I Die

When I die I will be a ghostand discover the world's secrets.

When I die and become a ghostI will return to my body and live.

When I die I will be on earthand choose to be in heaven.

When I die and I have revengeI will live to seek it.

When I dieI will live.

Sonia H.From: http://www.poemhunter.com/best-poems/sonia-h/when-i-die-hyperbole-poem/