Figurative Language

Ms. Brooks

February 2006

Figurative Language

•Symbolism

•Imagery

•Simile

•Metaphor

•Personification

•Hyperbole

SymbolismUnderstanding Images

What is Symbolism?

Symbolism involves using a person, place, event, or object that suggests a deeper meaning than its literal meaning.

A rose is a symbol for love and beauty.

Symbols are everywhere.

What do these symbols mean?

What do these symbols represent?

freedom

courage

peace

dangerlove

What symbol could represent these qualities?

happiness strength

bravery

Symbolism in Music

I was in a tunnel And couldn't see the light And whenever I'd look up I couldn't see the sky Sometimes when I'm standin' It seems like I done walked for miles And my heart could be cryin' Dead in the middle of a smile

But then I climbed the hills And saw the mountains I hollered help 'cause I was lost Then I felt the strong wind Heard a small voice sayin'

The storm is over (The storm is over now) And I can see the sunshine (Somewhere beyond the clouds) I feel Heaven, yeah (Heaven is over me) Come on and set me free, whoa

Now in the midst of my battle All hope was gone Downtown in a rushed crowd And felt all alone And every now and then I felt like I would lose my mind I've been racin' for years And still no finish line, oh

"The Storm Is Over Now"

~ R. Kelly

Symbolism in Literature

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,And sorry I could not travel bothAnd be one traveler, long I stoodAnd looked down one as far as I couldTo where it bent in the undergrowth.

Then took the other, as just as fair,And having perhaps the better claim,Because it was grassy and wanted wear;Though as for that the passing thereHad worn them really about the same.

And both that morning equally layIn leaves no step had trodden black.Oh, I kept the first for another day!Yet knowing how way leads on to way,I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sighSomewhere ages and ages hence:Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--I took the one less traveled by,And that has made all the difference.

~ Robert Frost

“The Road Not Taken”

What have you learned?

1.Symbols are used to represent a concept or idea that may be different than the actual meaning.

a. true

b. false

2.A rocking horse could be considered a symbol for what event.

a. a football game c. a baby shower

b. a horse race d. a wedding

ImageryA Feast for the Senses

What Is Imagery?

Imagery is language that appeals to the senses—sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell.

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Examples of Imagery

•Sight For a brief second, a spike of lightning illuminated the dark purple clouds.

•Hearing A faint buzz of voices came from behind the closed door.

•Touch The wool jacket felt prickly against her fingers.

•Taste The sweet yet tart taste of the apple juice flooded his mouth.

•Smell The sharp aroma of pine needles filled the air.

Imagery and Description

Imagery allows a writer to create vivid descriptions of

•settings

•characters

•gestures and actions

The earth appeared to tremble as the stampeding horses’ hooves pounded into the ground. The rumble gradually faded as the horses passed by, a slow moving blur of brown and white.

Imagery and Emotion

Writers often use imagery to inspire emotion in a reader.

The muted pat-pat of the rain was a gentle background to the murmuring voices in the kitchen. Though the windows were dark, the soft yellow glow of the lamp made the room cheery.

Can you find the imagery?

The Storm

In fury and terror

the tempest broke,

it tore up the pine

and shattered the oak,

yet the hummingbird hovered

within the hour

sipping clear rain

from a trumpet flower.

~ Elizabeth Coatsworth

What Have You Learned?

1. Imagery is language that appeals to the senses.

a. true

b. false

2. Which of these words would appeal to a person’s sense of taste?

a. fuzzy c. bitter

b. smooth d. loud

3. “The scarf was warm and scratchy” appeals to the sense of

a. smell c. sight

b. touch d. hearing

Figures of SpeechWhat Do You See?

What Do You See?In the water, Mark was a dolphin.

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What Is a Figure of Speech?A figure of speech is a word or phrase that describes one thing in terms of something else and is not literally true.

Understanding Figures of SpeechWhen you read a figure of speech, use what you know about one thing to help you understand more about the other.

In the water, Mark was a dolphin.

Dolphins are good swimmers.

Mark was a good swimmer.

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Kinds of Figures of Speech

Four kinds of figures of speech are

•similes

•metaphors

•personification

•hyperbole

What Are Similes? Similes are comparisons between two unlike things, using a word such as like, as, than, or resembles.

•Phoebe ran like a cheetah.

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Similes in Music

“Just Like a Pill”

Run just as fast as I can To the middle of nowhere To the middle of my frustrated fears And I swear you're just like a pill Instead of makin' me better,

You keep makin' me ill You keep makin' me ill 

~ Pink

What Are Metaphors?Metaphors are comparisons between two unlike things in which one thing becomes another thing.

•A metaphor says that one thing is something else.

•A metaphor does not use the words like, as, than, or resembles.

•The dog’s bark was thunder.

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What Is Personification?Personification is a special kind of metaphor in which a nonhuman thing or quality is talked about as if it were human.

•The couch called to me.

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What Is Hyperbole?Hyperbole is an extreme exaggeration.

•I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.

•He’s as big as a house.

•The sun baked me.

•He’s so tall he can touch the clouds.

Identify the type of figure of speech used in each of the following items.

1. The headlights were glowing eyes.

2. The clouds rippled like the ocean.

3. The breeze kissed my cheek and sang softly.

4. I’m sweating to death.

5. The volcano crater was a dragon’s mouth.

6. The car was as red as a ripe tomato.

What Have You Learned?

Simile Personification Hyperbole Metaphor

Metaphor

Personification

Metaphor

Simile

Simile

Hyperbole