Figures of Speech

Figure shows while the words describe or tell. A man learns and understands very easily, the meaning of any thing that he sees with his naked eyes. If there is a picture of an object on one side and the name on the other side, the learner would definitely understood the picture first. As audio visual aids are used in the process of teaching or learning same is the function of the figure of speech in the literary works. These are the audio visual aids of the literature. These enhance the decorative value along with the perception. That is why it is said that a picture is worth a thousand words. These figures of speech reflect the meanings in the shape of precise pictures and make the process of understanding very fast. This is not the only utility of the figures of speech. They add extra charm to any writing in which they are used. They are the spice of the literature and language. Their work is to arouse the dormant emotions and imagination. Each and every writer uses the figurative language to elaborate his ideas clearly. From the classical to the modern age every writer has taken help from the figures of speech. The opposite of figurative is literal. Often the literal language is drab and dull if not supplied with the proper figure of speech.

His business failed, is a literal sense of the sentence ‘his business went to the dogs'.

It is necessary for a student of literature to learn and understand the figure of speech otherwise it would be very difficult for him to excel in the literature. Figurative language is more attractive and different from literal one. Figures of speech decorate and adorn a literary piece as ornaments add charm to the beauty of a charming lady. It makes the reader to utilize his imagination to grasp the deep meanings of a literary piece. There are many figures of speech in English but most common are;

1- Simile

A figure of speech by which we compare two unlike things due to some common characteristic and use words of comparison "like" or "as." The reader understands by comprehending the connection between the two things compared by the writer. The reader can perceive a similar link with the verbs resemble, compare and liken. Similes help writer to emphasize a point by extending its meaning with comparison and facilitate reader to grasp ideas completely.

Examples of similes; He is as cold as ice, as hot as fire, he works like a machine, as fast as a electric current, as black as coal and shining like gold.

2-Metaphor

The word Metaphor is Greek in its origin and its very meanings make its function clear. It means carrying one place to the other. A metaphor is that figure of speech that lends some quality to describe the character or incident. When we say;' John is brave like a lion', it is use of simile, and it will become a metaphor when we say' ‘John is a lion'.  Here we have lent bravery of the lion for john and said him lion. It is a statement that says a thing what it is not.  In connecting one thing, incident, or place, to another, a metaphor can discover new and fascinating characteristics of the first thing that do not perceive normally. Metaphoric language is used to comprehend new meanings. Function of a metaphor is to increase stylistic effect and variety. Metaphor contributes greatly to the meanings of poetry when the reader appreciates a similarity between two fundamentally different things. Aristotle says in his ‘Poetic' that the use of metaphor is "…a sign of genius, since a good metaphor implies an intuitive perception of the similarity in dissimilar"

Emily Dickinson's poem "My Life had stood – a Loaded Gun" makes use of a series of metaphors of gun.

3-Hyperbole

Hyperbole is of Greek origin and means exaggeration. It is a highly exaggerated account of any thing to produce vividness and emphasis It is a figure of speech that uses an exaggerated, extravagant overstated, inflated embroidered, embellished statement to generate a strong emotional reaction and response. Hyperbole is often used to create humour and fun in writing. Now a day the media uses this figure of speech very deftly in advertisements and movies. In heroic dramas it is widely used. It is the imperative part of burlesque writing. In romantic fiction and even in our daily life we use this figure of speech. It is very easy to explain the complex mental state and conflict through this figure of speech.

Mountains of money, obnoxious than the death, donate life if she asks me to donate money, is longer than that of giraffe are the examples of hyperbole.

4-Oxymoron

Oxymoron is Greek in origin and means pointedly foolish .it is blend of two apparently opposing or contrary words, as in the poetry of Sir Philip Sidney in which lovers speak "of living deaths, dear wounds, fair storms, and freezing fires."  A phrase in which two words of opposing meaning are used together for particular effect, for example, "wise fool" or "open secret" friendly enemies' The writer intentionally uses two contradictory ideas. This inconsistency creates a paradoxical image in the reader's mind that helps to produce a new concept or meaning for the whole piece of writing.  Some examples of oxymoron are: A living death, Cruel to be kind, deafening silence, Bitter-sweet, The Sounds of Silence, make haste slowly and conspicuous by absence.