Figurative Language Ms. Brooks February 2006
Jan 30, 2016
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.
hearing
Dig
ital I
mag
e co
pyr
igh
t ©
2
003
Ph
oto
Dis
c, In
c.
taste
Co
rbis
Ima
ges/
HR
W
smell
Dig
ital I
mag
e co
pyr
igh
t ©
2
003
Ph
oto
Dis
c, In
c.
touch
Dig
ital I
mag
e co
pyr
igh
t ©
2
003
Ph
oto
Dis
c, In
c.
sight
Dig
ital I
mag
e co
pyr
igh
t ©
2
003
Ph
oto
Dis
c, In
c.
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.
OR
Cor
bis
Imag
es/H
RW
© 2
002
mar
inet
hem
es.c
om/M
ark
Con
lin
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.
Cor
bis
Imag
es/H
RW
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.
Cor
bis
Imag
es/H
RW
Cor
bis
Imag
es/H
RW
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.
© C
hris
Col
lins/
Cor
bis
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.
© 2
002-
2003
clip
art.
com
Come, sit down.
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