Figurative Language in selected poems
Figurative language occurs whenever a poet uses words in ways that deviate from their usual meaning. Sometimes, complex examples of figurative language leaves me puzzled but if I sit down and think about what I am reading, the underlying meanings become apparent. A metaphor is a comparison between two things that are otherwise unrelated. A simile is a kind of metaphor that uses like or as in the comparison. Metonymy occurs when the name of something is replaced by the name of something closely associated with it. Hyperbole may be used to exaggerate what is being described; understatement describes something as less than it is. Personification occurs when a non-human animal, object, or abstraction is given human qualities. Onomatopoeia is used to describe a word or words that sound like the thing they describe. A paradox is a statement that simultaneously contradicts itself and makes sense. An allusion is a reference to another work or to a real or historical event or person.Speaking of allusions, W. H. Auden, used a lot of them in his poem Mussee des Beaux Arts. Mussee des Beaux Arts itself is an allusion that pays reference to a fine arts museum in Brussels, Belgium. The "old masters" as referred to by the author wer
In The Negro Speaks of Rivers, Langston Hughes likens the existence of rivers to the black experience. "My soul has grown deep like the rivers" in line 3 is a simile. Ancient as, human human, and I it are examples of alliteration in this poem. Like blacks, all of these rivers were a major resource to the countries and civilizations surrounding them. Hughes personifies the Mississippi singing to him. The custom use of figurative language has helped many authors place their personal stamp on the literary world by way of their works. With the use of figurative language, we as writers/students have the ability to say small but intricate things in big elaborate ways or vice versa. By reading the selections above, it became apparent to me that these writers used figurative language to get their point across to the reader. I do know for sure that some of these writers got their point across to me. Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night, by Dylan Thomas, includes several different types of figurative language. Not night, go gentle good, and though there are examples of alliteration. Night light, day they, and right night are examples of assonance. "Blind eyes could blaze like meteors" in line 14
Some common words found in the essay are:
Summer's Day, , Langston Hughes, Tyger Tyger, Dylan Thomas, Brussels Belgium, Christ Dreadful, Beaux Arts, figurative language, William Blake, examples alliteration, line 14, Arts Mussee, mussee des beaux, line 3, metaphor comparison, fair fair, pays reference, summer's day, des beaux arts, examples assonance, des beaux,
Approximate Word count = 815
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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