Figurative Language #2: Symbol & Allegory

1. FigurativeLanguage #2: Symbol & Allegory Read the Frost poem on pg. 723, and determine the primary symbolism in the poem

2. What’s the Difference? Symbol Image Metaphor Means something other than what it is “a dirty dog stole my wallet!” • Means only what it is • “a shaggy brown dog was rubbing itself against the white picket fence” • Means what it is and something more, too. • “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks”

3. Let’s find them The Sick Rose by William Blake O Rose thou art sick.  The invisible worm,  That flies in the night  In the howling storm:  Has found out thy bed Of crimson joy: And his dark secret love Does thy life destroy.

4. Allegory • A narrative or description that has a second meaning below the surface • Sometimes called extended metaphor • But not just one long comparison • or related symbols, • But with less emphasis on the images but on their other meanings---which are fixed. • In Allegory---they want you to “get it”

5. Read “Peace” (735-736) • What symbols are present? • How do they work together? • What is the ONE fixed message?

7. Your Task • Read your poem—applying all that we’ve learned so far: • Denotation/connotation • Imagery • Metaphoric Figurative language • Allusion • Determine what is SYMBOLIC—and what that symbol may mean • Determine if the poem is ALLEGORICAL

8. PRESENTING OUR POEMS

9. Figurative Language 3 Paradox, Overstatement, Understatement, & Irony

10. Paradox • An apparent contradiction that is somehow true • Paradoxical situation: • You blow on your hand to warm it up • You blow on your soup to cool it down • Verbal paradox • A critic can “damn you with faint praise” • Paradoxical statements rely on one part of phrase being figurative, while the other is literal

11. Emily Dickenson (#620) Much Madness is divinest Sense - To a discerning Eye - Much Sense - the starkest Madness - ’Tis the Majority In this, as all, prevail - Assent - and you are sane - Demur - you’re straightway dangerous - And handled with a Chain -

12. Just a little bit more… Overstatement Understatement Saying less than one means What is literally true, but with a good deal less force than the situation warrants: e.g. You cut off your hand and say, “it is just a mere flesh wound.” • AKA Hyperbole or exaggeration • Not meant to be taken literally • Can be doubled up: “There are literally millions of people on the beach!”

13. “The Sun Rising” p. 751 • Does the speaker understate or overstate the actual qualities of the sun? • Point out specific examples. What do these examples achieve?

14. Irony Situational Dramatic Discrepancy between the actual circumstances and what is expected to occur If it snows on Memorial Day, right after the beaches open, it is ironic. • Discrepancy between what the speaker says and what the poem means • i.e. We know the meaning, but the speaker is confused. • It illuminates character • Allows the author to indirectly comment on the nature of the person speaking Ozymandias p758 The Chimney Sweeper p756

15. Not to be confused with: Irony Verbal irony: Sarcasm Written language intended to bring awareness or reform. Satire • IS saying the opposite of what one means • MIGHT be used in the service of sarcasm/satire, but might not… • “I wouldn’t expect you to” • “I have bad news for you! You got an A!” • Bitter or cutting speech, intended to wound feelings • Comes from the Greek: “to tear flesh” Sarcasm not irony irony not sarcasm Implies Ridicule

16. Dangers of Irony • A number of people in a large audience will always misunderstand • If it is misunderstood, the reader goes away with exactly the opposite meaning intended. • What is the irony in “Barbie Doll” pp 754-755?

17. Your Task • Read your poem, and determine if it contains: • Paradox • Overstatement • Understatement • Irony • Verbal • Situational • Dramatic

18. PRESENTING OUR POEMS

19. Practice Test