Figurative Language

Figurative Language From Chaffee’s Critical Thinking/ Thoughtful Writing

Definitions • Simile and metaphor are two types of figurative language based on a special kind of comparative thinking called analogy. • An analogy is a limited comparison of two essentially unlike things made for the purpose of illuminating or enriching our understanding.

Metaphors and Similes Similes and metaphors focus on unexpected likenesses between items in different categories. Here’s a famous example from Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player That struts and frets his hour upon the stage, And then is heard no more . . . What two things is Shakespeare comparing here? How effective is his comparison? What does it make you think and/or feel about life?

When to use figurative languageReason #1 • When you’re having trouble finding the right words. Powerful or complex emotions can make you speechless or make you say things like “Words cannot express how I feel.” When you get to that point, try a metaphor or a simile. ‘Love is a rose; you’d better not pick it. It only grows when it’s on the vine.” (Ronstadt) Beauty, like the day, lasts only a short while, then it fades and dies. Sonnet #73

Several metaphors in a row: That time of year thou mayst in me behold When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang Upon those boughs which shake against the cold, Bare ruined choirs, where late the sweet birds sang. In me thou seest the twilight of such day As after sunset fadeth in the west, Which by and by black night doth take away, Death’s second self, that seals up all in rest. In me thou seest the glowing of such fire That on the ashes of his youth doth lie, As the death-bead whereon it must expire. This thou perceiv’st, which makes thy love more strong, To love that well, which thou must leave ere long.

Reason #2 • To express a profound thought in strikingly original way Life is an earthquake. “Life is a tale/ told by an idiot full of sound and fury/ signifying nothing.”

Sylvia Plath – one long comparison I'm a riddle in nine syllables. An elephant, a ponderous house, A melon strolling on two tendrils. O red fruit, ivory, fine timbers! This loaf's big with its yeasty rising. Money's new-minted in this fat purse. I'm a means, a stage, a cow in calf. I've eaten a bag of green apples, Boarded the train there's no getting off.

Reason #3 • When you want to add an extra dimension to a description. Biking down Little Park Road is like gliding through air. A long quiet day at home is like therapy.

For Example: What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore – And then run? Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over – like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sags like a heavy load. Or does it explode?

Reason #4 • When you want to be clever and amuse your audience. A pool player in a tuxedo is like a hotdog with whipped cream on it. (Minnesota Fats)

How about this? The Guitarist Tunes Up With what attentive courtesy he bent Over his instrument; Not as a lordly conqueror who could Command both wire and wood, But as a man with a loved woman might, Inquiring with delight What slight essential things she had to say Before they started, he and she, to play. Frances Cornford

Or This -- The Hound Life the hound Equivocal Comes at a bound Either to rend me Or to befriend me. I cannot tell The hound’s intent Till he has sprung At my bare hand With teeth or tongue. Meanwhile I stand And wait the event.

Here are a couple more: • 1. Marvell • 2. Carney • 3. King • When you’re listening to King, I want you to write down all the metaphors you hear.

Your Assignment • Go through your draft and find 3 places where you can add some figurative language. • Share your revision with the class.

Figurative Language