Chapter 6
FIGURES OF SPEECH
GROUP : After Spring
MEMBERS:
Nguyễn Thị Quỳnh Hương
Bùi Trung Hiếu
Lê Trần Bảo Anh
Ngô Minh Châu
Trương Thị Hoàng Phương
Overview
Chapter 6 - Figures of speech (2.8 p.36)
• Simile
• Metaphor
• Personification
• Irony
• Metonymy
• Synecdoche
• Hyperbole
• Litotes
Figures of Speech
• Definition: a word or phase which is used for special
effect, which does not have its usual or literal meanin
g.
1. SIMILE
• Definition: the use of comparison of one thing to an
other. Normally, simile compares two unlike things
using like or as.
• Example of SIMILE
• Life is like a box of chocolate This pizza is as cold as
ice!
2. METAPHOR
• Definition: the use of word or phrase to indicate somet
hing different from (those related in some way to) the li
teral meaning.
• Example of METAPHOR
Distinction between SIMILE and METAPHOR
SIMILE METAPHOR
An explicit or direct comparison. An implicit or indirect comparison
Something compare to something else
Use function words: like or as No function word
Example: Example:
Our soldiers are as brave as lions. The claim lake was a mirror.
Her cheeks are red like a rose. He is a shining star.
Distinction between DEAD METAPHOR and LIVE METAPHOR
DEAD METAPHOR LIVE METAPHOR
It is used so often that they It is implied or indirect
lost their metaphoric comparison which have a
characteristic. Cliché, Fact variety of figurative meanings
idioms or fixed expression is a through their endless use.
dead metaphor.
3. PERSONIFICATION
Definition: a figure of speech in which a thing, an idea
or an animal is given human attributes.
• In Personification, inanimate objects and abstract
notions are spoken of as having life and intelligence.
• Personification occurs when the author or speaker
gives human characteristics to non-human objects.
Example of PERSONIFICATION
1. Look at my car. She is a beauty, isn’t she?
=> The speaker called his/her car to be “she”, but “she” means the
human not to be “object”
2. The trees in the garden played with the wind
(những tán cây trêu đùa với gió )
=> The verb “play” is the action of human.
Function of PERSONIFICATION
• It is not merely a decorative device, but serves the pu
rpose of giving deeper meanings to literary texts.
• It adds vividness to expressions, as we always look at
the world from a human perspective.
• It is easier to relate to something that is human, or wh
ich possesses human traits, its use encourages us to d
evelop a perspective that is new as well as creative.
4. IRONY
Definition: a mode of speech in which the real meani
ng is exactly the opposite of that which is literally conv
eyed.
A type of figurative languages in which a nonhuman s
ubject is given a human characteristic.
Types of IRONY
VERBAL IRONY SITUATIONAL IRONY
E.g. E.g.
His hand was as soft as a rock. Vivian joked Andy was given ‘excellent’ on
- how a rock can be soft. getting zero in the exam and so did she.
The name of Britain’s biggest dog was -Vivian is chuckling at the misfortune of
“Tiny.” another, even when the same misfortune is,
unbeknownst to her, befalling her
Function of IRONY
• It brings about some added meanings to a situatio
n like all other figures of speech
• It makes a work of literature more intriguing, and
forces the readers to use their imaginations to co
mprehend the underlying meanings of the texts.
• Moreover, real life is full of ironical expressions
and situations. Therefore, the use of irony brings
a work of literature to the life.
5. METONYMY
• Definition: a figure of speech in which one thin
g is replaced with a word closely associated wit
h it. The word literally means ‘change of name’.
• Example: referring president or presidency of th
e USA as “the White house”.
• Several kinds of METONYMY
(a) A sign substitutes for the person or the objects it
signifies or symbolizes.
Eg. Can you protect your children from the cradle to the
grave?
-> from childhood to death
• Several kinds of METONYMY
(b) An instrument substitutes for an agent.
Eg. The pen is mightier than the sword.
-> The pen (the writer) has more influence than the
sword (the soldier).
• Several kinds of METONYMY
(c) A container substitutes for the thing contained.
Eg. The kettle is boiling.
-> The water in the kettle is boiling.
• Several kinds of METONYMY
(d) The concrete, like an organ of the human substitute for
the abstract such as love, hatred, sincerity, a mental
ability, a natural talent, etc..
E.g. She has and ear for music.
-> She has a remarkable talent for learning music.
E.g. She has a good eye for detail.
-> She is good at noticing small but important things that
other people might not notice.
• Several kinds of METONYMY
(e) The abstract substitute for the concrete.
Eg. – The authorities put an end to the riot.
-> The group of people who have the power to give
orders or take action
• Several kinds of METONYMY
(f) The material substitute for the thing made.
E.g. He was buried under this stone.
-> This tomb made of stone,
this tombstone.
• Several kinds of METONYMY
(g) An author/ a producer/ a place where goods
are made substitutes for his work(s)/ its product(s).
Eg. I’ve never read’s Nguyen Nhat Anh.
-> Nguyen Nhat Anh’s books
E.g. He bought a Ford last year.
-> A Ford car
6. SYNECDOCHE
• Definition: a special kind of metonymy in which “a pa
rt of a person, object, ect. Is meant to refer to the whol
e person, object, etc.” [Crowther(ed.), 1992: 925]
• The word literally means ‘change of name’.
• Example of SYNECDOCHE
“check out my new wheels”.
-> “wheels” is an example of synecdoche, used to
refer to a car.
A part of a car, in this example, represents the whole
of the car.
Distinction between METONYMY and SYNECDOCHE
(1) The princess captures the heart (2) He has a kind heart.
of the nation.
-> All the people of that country love -> He is a kind hearted person who
the princess. is concerned for others around him.
The heart, which is The heart, which is
[+organs of the human body] [+organs of the human body]
-> [+concrete] -> [+concrete]
Is used to stand for the love, which is Is used to stand for a person, which
[+emotional experience] is [+human]
-> [+abstract] -> [+concrete] and [+whole]
-> Metonymy. -> Synecdoche.
Distinction between METONYMY and SYNECDOCHE
(3) Spare the rod and spoil the child. (4) All hands on deck did help.
-> If you punish a child when he does -> All the people on the floor of the ship
wrong, you’ll spoil his character. worked hard to accomplish a certain task.
The rod, which is [+thing] Hands, which is [+organs of the human
-> [+concrete] body]
-> [+concrete]
Is used to stand for the punishment,
which is Is used to stand for people, which is
[+human activity], [+intention] [+human]
-> [+abstract] -> [+concrete] and [+whole]
-> Metonymy.
-> Synecdoche.
Distinction between SIMILE and METAPHOR
METAPHOR METONYMY
Meaning: Meaning:
• a figure of speech that depends on • a figure of speech that does not
the associated similarity. depend on such similarity.
• an object is ordinarily designated to • an object is designated to be the
another thing which is similar to it, name of something else which is
that contains an implicit closely associated with it.
comparison.
E.g. The alligator's teeth are white E.g. Let me give you a hand.
daggers. - Hand means help
Some further examples about Metaphor & Metonymy
METAPHOR METONYMY
1. The ballerina was a swan, gliding across 1. My dear, you have all of my heart
the stage. (Heart - to refer to love or emotion)
=> Ballerina - Swan
2. The thunder was a mighty lion. 2. That fancy fish dish you made was the
=> Thunder - Mighty lion best of the evening.
(Dish - for an entire plate of food)
3. Laughter is the music of the soul. 3. After the protests, maybe Washington will
=> Laughter - Music of the soul listen to the voters.
(Washington - to refer the US government)
4. Life is a rollercoaster. 4. It seems like peopke will do whatever
=> Life - Rollercoaster Hollywood says is cool.
(Hollywood - to refer to the film industry)
7. HYPERBOLE /OVERSTATEMENT
Definition: the use of “ exaggerated statement that is
made for special effect and is not meant to be taken
literally.
Example of HYPERBOLE
1. I’ve invited millions of people to my party.
millions of = a lot of
2. I haven’t seen you for ages.
for a few , for a couple , for a
for ages =
week of months while
8. LITOTES/ MEIOSIS
Definition: the used deliberately gentler, milder or
weaker statements to express something in a
controlled way.
Example of LITOTES
1. I don’t think I would agree with you.
don’t think I would agree = I disagree
2. I am afraid that no passenger is allowed to
smoke in here.
no passenger = You are not allowed
An expression of litotes is an
ironical understatement, especially
using a negative to emphasize the
contrary.
Example
It’s not bad.
Not bad => fine
THANK YOU