The Figurative Language

   Anjali Rathod's Blog

Name - Anjali Rathod

Course- M.A. English
            Sem:2

Submitted To - Bhumika Mahida

Paper No.09- Literary Theory &                            Criticism and Indian                        Asthetics 

I.A.Richard - Biography

            I.A. Richards, whose full name is Ivor Armstrong Richards, was a prominent British literary critic and educator. He was born on February 26, 1893, in Sandbach, Cheshire, England, and passed away on September 7, 1979, in Cambridge, England. Richards made significant contributions to the fields of literary criticism, linguistics, and education, particularly in the areas of close reading and the analysis of language.

           Richards began his academic career at Cambridge University, where he studied English literature and classics. He later became a lecturer at the university, and in 1929, he was appointed as a professor of English at Harvard University in the United States. During his time at Harvard, he played a key role in developing the New Criticism movement, which emphasized close reading of texts and focused on the inherent qualities of the work itself rather than external factors like authorial intent or historical context.

          One of Richards’ major works is “Principles of Literary Criticism,” first published in 1924. In this influential book, Richards introduced the concept of “practical criticism” and advocated for a systematic and analytical approach to understanding literature. He argued for the importance of close attention to the words on the page and the reader’s personal response to the text.

         Another significant work by Richards is “The Meaning of Meaning: A Study of the Influence of Language upon Thought and of the Science of Symbolism,” co-authored with C.K. Ogden and published in 1923. This book explored the relationship between language, thought, and communication, and introduced the concept of “semantic triangle” to explain how words relate to their meanings and to the objects or concepts they represent.

          Richards also contributed to the field of language teaching and education. He developed the influential “Basic English” language program, which aimed to simplify the English language to facilitate easier learning for non-native speakers.

          Throughout his career, Richards continued to write and publish numerous other books, including “Coleridge on Imagination” (1934), “Mencius on the Mind: Experiments in Multiple Definition” (1932), and “The Philosophy of Rhetoric” (1936).

          I.A. Richards’s work had a profound impact on the field of literary criticism and language studies, shaping the way scholars approach texts and analyze language. His emphasis on close reading and the importance of the reader’s engagement with the text continues to influence literary theory and criticism to this day.

★ Principles of Literary Criticism:

         “Principles of Literary Criticism” is a seminal work written by I.A. Richards and first published in 1924. The book is considered a foundational text in the field of literary criticism and played a significant role in shaping the development of New Criticism.

         In “Principles of Literary Criticism,” Richards presents his ideas on the nature and purpose of literary criticism, emphasizing the importance of close reading and textual analysis. He argues against the prevailing trends of his time, which focused on biographical and historical interpretations of literature, and instead advocates for a more rigorous and systematic approach to understanding literary texts.

         The book introduces the concept of “practical criticism,” which refers to the detailed examination of a text itself, independent of external factors such as authorial intent or historical context. Richards contends that the meaning and value of a work lie within the words on the page and the reader’s personal response to them. He emphasizes the reader’s active engagement with the text, urging them to examine the language, structure, imagery, and other literary devices employed by the author.

          Richards also discusses the role of ambiguity in literature and the ways in which language can evoke various interpretations and emotions. He encourages readers to explore multiple possible meanings and to be open to the nuances and complexities of literary works.

          Throughout the book, Richards provides close readings and analyses of various poems and prose texts, demonstrating his critical approach in action. He engages with a wide range of literary examples, including works by William Shakespeare, John Milton, William Wordsworth, and T.S. Eliot, among others.

          “Principles of Literary Criticism” had a profound impact on the field of literary studies, particularly in the development of New Criticism. The book’s emphasis on close reading, textual analysis, and the autonomy of the literary work influenced subsequent generations of scholars and critics. It contributed to a shift in focus from external factors to the formal qualities and internal dynamics of the literary text itself, laying the groundwork for the influential school of literary criticism that emerged in the mid-20th century.

★ The Figurative Language: 

👉What is Figurative Language?

         Figurative language is the use of descriptive words, phrases and sentences to convey a message that means something without directly saying it. Its creative wording is used to build imagery to deepen the audience's understanding and help provide power to words by using different emotional, visual and sensory connections.

         Figurative language refers to the use of words in a way that deviates from the conventional order and meaning in order to convey a complicated meaning, colorful writing, clarity, or evocative comparison. It uses an ordinary sentence to refer to something without directly stating it. Understanding figurative language is an important part of reading the Management Discussion and Analysis , where management may use a metaphor to help explain complicated concepts or directions that the company is taking.

         Fiction writers use figurative language to engage their audience using a more creative tone that provokes thinking and sometimes humor. It makes fiction writing more interesting and dramatic than the literal language that uses words to refer to statements of fact.

          Figurative language serves as an excellent communication tool and is something we encounter daily that helps us convey complex descriptions or emotions quickly and effectively. Also referred to as "figures of speech," figurative language can be utilized to persuade, engage and connect with an audience and amplify your intended message. Implementing figurative language takes some careful thought and close observations to successfully convey your intended meaning.

Figurative language is used to:

• Compare two unlike ideas to increase understanding of one
• Describe ideas sometimes difficult to understand
• Show a deeper emotion or connection
• Influence the audience
• Help make connections
• Make descriptions easier to visualize
• Elicit an emotion

★ 11 types of figurative language with examples

           Figurative language is used in literature like poetry, drama, prose and even speeches. Figures of speech are literary devices that are also used throughout our society and help relay important ideas in a meaningful way. Here are 10 common figures of speech and some examples of the same figurative language in use:

1. Simile
2. Metaphor
3. Personification
4. Onomatopoeia
5. Oxymoron
6. Hyperbole
7. Litotes
8. Idiom
9. Alliteration
10. Allusion
11. Synecdoche

1. Simile

A simile is a comparison between two unlike things using the words "like," "as" or "than." Often used to highlight a characteristic of one of the items, similes rely on the comparison and the audience's ability to create connections and make inferences about the two objects being discussed and understand the one similarity they share.

 

Examples:

• My mother is as busy as a bee.
• They fought like cats and dogs.
• My dog has a bark as loud as thunder.
• Her love for her children is as constant as the passing of time.

2. Metaphor

A metaphor is a direct comparison without using the comparative words "like" or "as." Metaphors equate the two things being compared to elicit a stronger connection and deepen the meaning of the comparison. Some metaphors, which continue for several lines or an entire piece, are called extended metaphors. 

Examples:

• Her smile is the sunrise.
• Your son was a shining star in my classroom.
• The tall trees were curtains that surrounded us during our picnic.
• The ants soldiered on to steal our dessert.

3. Personification

Personification is attributing human characteristics to nonhuman things. This personifies objects and makes them more relatable. 

Examples:

• The chair squealed in pain when the hammer smashed it.
• The tree's limb cracked and groaned when lightning hit it.
• My heart jumped when my daughter entered the room in her wedding dress.
• The computer argued with me and refused to work.

4. Onomatopoeia

Onomatopoeia is the use of descriptive words that sound or mimic the noise they are describing. 

Examples:

• The water splashed all over the top of the car.
• Owls screech through the night and keep us awake when we are camping.
• My stomach grumbled in hunger as we entered the restaurant.
• Thumping and booming in excitement, my heart pounded to hear the results of the lottery.

5. Oxymoron

An oxymoron is a description using two opposite ideas to create an effective description. The format is often an adjective proceeded by a noun. 

Examples:

• My father's thoughtless idea landed him in the middle of the lake without a life jacket.
• The jumbo shrimp is a favorite of customers.
• The loud silence of night keeps him awake.
• An ever-flowing stillness of water, the river cuts through the woods.

6. Hyperbole

A hyperbole is an over-exaggeration used to emphasize an emotion or description. Sometimes hyperbole also implements the use of simile and comparative words. 

Examples:

• I am so hungry I would eat dirt right now.
• My brother is taller than a skyscraper.
• The concert was so loud the drums echoed in space.
• Racing through the day was a marathon run for me.

7. Litotes

Litotes are figures of speech that use understatement to make a point. It is often sarcastic in tone. The statement is affirmed by negating the opposite.

Examples:

• I can't say I disagree with what you're saying.
• My dog is not the friendliest.
• He's not even a little tired after staying up all night watching television.
• She's not unkind.

8. Idiom

An idiom is a commonly used expression that has acquired a meaning different from its literal meaning. Idiomatic phrases vary by culture and language. They are often difficult to grasp for language learners because the expression's true meaning is so different than what is being expressed.

Examples:

• My grandmother's garden is flourishing because of her green thumb.
• The children could not play baseball because it was raining cats and dogs outside.
• You must play your cards right to win at the game of life.
• Some people throw in the towel before they should and never learn the value of working hard for success.

9. Alliteration

Alliteration is the repetition of the same consonant sound at the start of one or more words near one another. It is often used to emphasize an emotion or reveal a stronger description.

Examples:

• The pitter-patter of paws echoed down the hallway and woke me from my slumber.
• The clamoring clash of dished cracking on the concrete burned my ears.
• Old creaking crates carry ages of dust within them and are about to burst open.
• The babble of babies brings joy to my ears.

10. Allusion

An allusion is a reference to a well-known person, place, thing or event of historical, cultural or literary merit. It requires the audience to use their background knowledge to understand the meaning. 

Examples:

• You stole the forbidden fruit when you took his candy.
• He didn't do anything as bad as chopping down a cherry tree.
• She was Helen of Troy of the class and made all the boys fight.
• My little girl ran faster than a speeding bullet when she grabbed my lipstick.

11. Synecdoche

Synecdoche is a figure of speech that uses a part of something to refer to its whole. Less commonly, synecdoche can be used when a whole is used to refer to a part. The most common types of wholes and parts include a physical structure and its parts, an object and the material it is made out of, a container and what it holds, and a category and the items in those categories. 

Examples:

• She's got an awesome set of wheels!
• The company needs more hands on deck to get complete this project in time.
• The White House issued a statement today.
• The captain commands 70 sails.
  

Thank You.