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Literary Devices
Literary Devices
Zainab Sattar
Some Literary Devices
(http://literarydevices.net)
Litotes Definition
Litotes, derived from a Greek word meaning “simple”, is a figure of speech which employs an
understatement by using double negatives or, in other words, positive statement is expressed
by negating its opposite expressions.
For example, using the expression “not too bad” for “very good” is an understatement as well
as a double negative statement that confirms a positive idea by negating the opposite.
Similarly, saying “She is not a beauty queen,” means “She is ugly” or saying “I am not as young
as I used to be” in order to avoid saying “I am old”. Litotes, therefore, is an intentional use of
understatement that renders an ironical effect.
Common Litotes Examples
In everyday life, it is common to experience litotes in conversations although not many people
are aware of this term and its usage. Below are a few examples of litotes from daily
conversations:
They do not seem the happiest couple around.
The ice cream was not too bad.
New York is not an ordinary city.
Your comments on politics are not useless.
You are not as young as you used to be.
I cannot disagree with your point of view.
William Shakespeare was not a bad playwright at all.
He is not the cleverest person I have ever met.
She is not unlike her mother.
Ken Adams is not an ordinary man
A million dollars is not a little amount.
You are not doing badly at all.
Your apartment is not unclean.
Interestingly, the use of understatement in the above litotes examples adds emphasis to the
ideas rather than decrease their importance. This is due to the ironical effect produced by the
understatement.
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Now just see how Swift has used double negatives to emphasize the point that he is totally
aware of it. The irony is that he is aware but he is saying it as if he is unaware that he is not.
Example #2
“Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if I had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.”
Now read this short piece “Fire and Ice” by Robert Frost very carefully. Calling the destruction
caused by the “ice” as “great” is balanced by an opposing statement “would suffice” that is an
understatement.
Example #3
“Indeed, it is not uncommon for slaves even to fall out and quarrel among themselves about
the relative goodness of their masters, each contending for the superior goodness of his own
over that of the others.”
This line has been taken from “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass; An American Slave”
by Frederick Douglass himself. He was an African-American social reformer and a writer. He has
effectively used litotes to stress that his point that even slaves used to seek dominance over
other slaves by stressing the point that their respective masters were much better than those of
the other slaves.
Function of Litotes
Litotes uses ironical understatement in order to emphasize an idea or situation rather than
minimizing its importance. It rather discovers a unique way to attract people’s attention to an
idea and that is by ignoring it.
J.R. Bergmann in his book “Talk at Work: Interaction in Institutional Settings” talks about litotes
in the following words: “I want to claim that the rhetorical figure litotes is one of those
methods which are used to talk about an object in a discreet way. It clearly locates an object for
the recipient, but it avoids naming it directly.”
This is the best that has ever been said about litotes – that to ignore an object and still talk
about it in a negative way is the best way to make it appear important and prominent.
Irony Definition
Irony is a figure of speech in which words are used in such a way that their intended meaning is
different from the actual meaning of the words. It may also be a situation that may end up in
quite a different way than what is generally anticipated. In simple words, it is a difference
between the appearance and the reality.
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Types of Irony
On the grounds of the above definition, we distinguish two basic kinds of irony i.e. verbal irony
and situational irony. A verbal irony involves what one does not mean. When in response to a
foolish idea, we say, “what a great idea!” it is a verbal irony. A situational irony occurs when, for
instance, a man is chuckling at the misfortune of the other even when the same misfortune, in
complete unawareness, is befalling him.
Difference between Dramatic Irony and Situational Irony
Dramatic irony is a kind of irony in a situation, which the writers frequently employ in their
works. In situational irony, both the characters and the audience are fully unaware of the
implications of the real situation. In dramatic irony, the characters are oblivious of the situation
but the audience is not. For example, in “Romeo and Juliet”, we know much before the
characters that they are going to die.
In real life circumstances, irony may be comical, bitter or sometimes unbearably offensive.
Common Examples of Irony
Let us analyze some interesting examples of irony from our daily life:
• I posted a video on YouTube about how boring and useless YouTube is.
• The name of Britain’s biggest dog was “Tiny”.
• You laugh at a person who slipped stepping on a banana peel and the next thing you know,
you slipped too.
• The butter is as soft as a marble piece.
• “Oh great! Now you have broken my new camera.”
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Irony examples are not only found in stage plays but in poems too. In his poem “The Rime of
the Ancient Mariner”, Coleridge wrote:
“Water, water, everywhere,
And all the boards did shrink;
Water, water, everywhere,
Nor any drop to drink.”
In the above stated lines, the ship, blown by the south wind, is stranded in the uncharted sea.
Ironically, there is water everywhere but they do not have a single drop of water to drink.
Function of Irony
Like all other figures of speech, Irony brings about some added meanings to a situation. Ironical
statements and situations in literature develop readers’ interest. Irony makes a work of
literature more intriguing and forces the readers to use their imagination and comprehend 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 closer to the life.
Antimetabole Definition
Antimetabole is derived from a Greek word which means “turning about”. It is a literary term or
device that involves repeating a phrase in reverse order.
“You like it; it likes you” and “Fair is foul and foul is fair” etc. Chiasmus and antimetabole are
usually expected to be overlapped in usage and it is also often used as a synonym for Epanados
in modern day books. However, the writer would make them distinct through his use.
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For antimetaboles to be effective, they do not only have to be grammatically correct but should
also be logical. People after studying literature for a while start thinking that they can churn out
antimetaboles with a snap of a finger. They fail to understand the fact that a sentence cannot
be called an antimetaboles if it is not based on a logical theme. For instance, you may witness a
‘smart Alec’ come up with a sentence like this and expect it to qualify for an antimetabole,
which clearly is not the case.
Antimetaboles are popular and effective solely because they appeal to reason and are easy to
remember. If the first half is relatable, then the reader or listener automatically will make sense
out of the second half. For example: “It is not about the years in your life, but about the life in
your years.” A sentence like this can be called an antimetabole because it is appealing, correct
(logic and grammar) and has a message to convey to the readers.
Chiasmus Definition
Chiasmus is a rhetorical device in which two or more clauses are balanced against each other by
the reversal of their structures in order to produce an artistic effect.
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“Love as if you would one day hate,
and hate as if you would one day love.” – Bias (6th Century B.C.)
Example #3
“Bad men live that they may eat and drink,
whereas good men eat and drink that they may live.” – Socrates (5th Century B.C.)
Let us have a look at some examples of chiasmus from English literature:
Example #1
“But O, what damned minutes tells he o’er
Who dotes, yet doubts; suspects, yet strongly loves.” (Shakespeare, Othello)
Example #2
“His time a moment, and a point his space.” (Alexander Pope, Essay on Man)
Example #3
“Do I love you because you’re beautiful?
Or are you beautiful because I love you?” (Oscar Hammerstein, Do I Love You Because You’re
Beautiful?)
Example #4
“In his face.
Divine compassion visibly appeered,
Love without end, and without measure Grace” (John Milton, Paradise Lost)
Example #5
“Lust is what makes you keep wanting to do it, Even when you have no desire to be with each
other. Love is what makes you keep wanting to be with each other, Even when you have no
desire to do it.” (Judith Viorst)
Example #6
“In the blue grass region,
A paradox was born:
The corn was full of kernals
And the colonels full of corn.” (John Marshall)
Example #7
“Some have an idea that the reason we in this country discard things so readily is because we
have so much. The facts are exactly opposite – the reason we have so much is simply
because we discard things so readily.” (Alfred P. Solan)
Example #8
“The instinct of a man is
to pursue everything that flies from him, and
to fly from all that pursues him.” (Voltaire)
Example #9
“When religion was strong and science weak, men
mistook magic for medicine;
Now, when science is strong and religion weak, men
mistake medicine for magic.” (Thomas Szaz)
Function of Chiasmus
As the above discussion reveals, chiasmus is a unique rhetorical device which is employed by
writers to create a special artistic effect in order to lay emphasis on what they want to
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communicate. Richard A. Lanham in his treatise, Analyzing Prose, puts forward his interesting
point of view about chiasmus in the following words:
“By keeping the phrase but inverting its meaning we use our opponent’s own power to
overcome him, just as a judo expert does. So a scholar remarked of another’s theory, ‘Cannon
entertains that theory because that theory entertains Cannon.’ The pun on ‘entertain’
complicates the chiasmus here, but the judo still prevails–Cannon is playing with the power of
his own mind rather than figuring out the secrets of the universe.”
A chiasmus is a sentence repeated inversely and the only condition of a chiasmic sentence is
that the two clauses in the phrase are opposite in meanings. For example, the popular saying by
Havelock Ellis’s, “Charm is a woman’s strength, strength is a man’s charm,” The aforementioned
sentence, although, is an example of chiasmus but is not an antimetabole because the two
clauses have opposite meanings but the words and the grammatical makeup are dissimilar.
In an antimetabole the word order in a sentence is reversed to contrast the meanings. One very
good example is Mae West’s catchphrase, “It’s not the men in my life; it’s the life in my men.”
As you can see, in this sentence the words, rhythm and grammatical structure used in the
second sentence are exactly similar to the first one but only the meaning is opposite. Many
experts refer to antimetabole as a subtype of chiasmus.
Connotation Definition
Connotation refers to a meaning that is implied by a word apart from the thing which it
describes explicitly. Words carry cultural and emotional associations or meanings in addition to
their literal meanings or denotations.
For instance, “Wall Street” literally means a street situated in Lower Manhattan but
connotatively it refers to “wealth” and “power”.
Positive and Negative Connotations
Words may have positive or negative connotations that depend upon the social, cultural and
personal experiences of individuals. For example, the words childish, childlike and youthful
have the same denotative but different connotative meanings. Childish and childlike have a
negative connotation as they refer to immature behavior of a person. Whereas, youthful
implies that a person is lively and energetic.
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Common Connotation Examples
Below are a few connotation examples. Their suggested meanings are shaped by cultural and
emotional associations:
A dog connotes shamelessness or an ugly face.
A dove implies peace or gentility.
Home suggests family, comfort and security.
Politician has a negative connotation of wickedness and insincerity while statesperson
connotes sincerity.
Pushy refers to someone loud-mouthed and irritating.
Mom and Dad when used in place of mother and father connote loving parents.
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countrymen, lend me your ears.” Here the word “ear” connotes the idea of people listening to
him attentively.
Read the following lines form Robert Frost’s poem “Out, Out”:
“As he swung toward them holding up the hand
Half in appeal, but half as if to keep
The life from spilling”
In the line “The life from spilling” the word “life” connotes “blood”. It does make sense as well
because loss of blood may cause loss of life.
Example #5
Connotation provides the basis for symbolic meanings of words because symbolic meanings of
objects are different from their literal sense. Look at the following lines from Shakespeare’s play
“As you Like It”:
“All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts,”
“A stage” connotes the world; “players” suggests human beings; and “parts” implies different
stages of their lives.
Function of Connotation
In literature, connotation paves way for creativity by using figures of speech like metaphor,
simile, symbolism, personification etc. Had writers contented themselves with only the literal
meanings, there would have been no way to compare abstract ideas to concrete concepts in
order to give readers a better understanding .Therefore, connotative meanings of words allow
writers to add to their works, dimensions which are broader, more vivid and fresher.
Denotation Definition
Denotation is generally defined as literal or dictionary meanings of a word in contrast to its
connotative or associated meanings.
Let us try to understand this term with the help of an example. If you search for meaning of the
word “dove” in a dictionary, you will see that its meaning is “a type of pigeon, a wild and
domesticated bird having a heavy body and short legs.” In literature, however, you frequently
see “dove” referred to as a symbol of peace.
Denotation and Connotation
In literary works, we find it a common practice with writers to deviate from the dictionary
meanings of words to create fresher ideas and images. Such deviations from the literal
meanings are called the use of figurative language or literary devices e.g. metaphors, similes,
personifications, hyperboles, understatements, paradoxes, and puns etc. Even in our daily
conversation, we diverge from the dictionary meanings of words and prefer connotative or
associated meanings of words in order to accurately convey our message. Below is a list of
some common deviations from denotative meanings of words that we experience in our day to
day life:
A dog is used to suggest shamelessness or an ugly face.
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A dove is used to suggest peace or gentility.
Home is used to suggest family, comfort and security.
Politician has a negative connotation of wicked and insincere person
Pushy refers to someone loud-mouthed and irritating.
Mom and Dad when used instead of mother and father suggest loving parents.
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Bitter autumn blows,
And of all the stupid asters
Not one knows.”
In the above lines, “spring” and “daisies” are symbol of youth. “Brown and barren” are a symbol
of transition from the youth to the old age. Moreover, “Bitter Autumn” symbolizes death.
Function of Denotation
Readers are familiar with denotations of words but denotations are generally restricted
meanings. Writers, therefore, deviate from the denotative meanings of words to create fresh
ideas and images that add deeper levels of meanings to common and ordinary words. Readers
find it convenient to grasp the connotative meanings of words because of the fact that they are
familiar to their literal meanings.
Metaphor Definition
Metaphor is a figure of speech which makes an implicit, implied or hidden comparison between
two things that are unrelated but share some common characteristics. In other words, a
resemblance of two contradictory or different objects is made based on a single or some
common characteristics.
In simple English, when you portray a person, place, thing, or an action as being something else,
even though it is not actually that “something else,” you are speaking metaphorically. “He is the
black sheep of the family” is a metaphor because he is not a sheep and is not even black.
However, we can use this comparison to describe an association of a black sheep with that
person. A black sheep is an unusual animal and typically stays away from the herd, and the
person you are describing shares similar characteristics.
Furthermore, a metaphor develops a comparison which is different from a simile i.e. we do not
use “like” or “as” to develop a comparison in a metaphor. It actually makes an implicit or
hidden comparison and not an explicit one.
Common Speech Examples of Metaphors
Most of us think of a metaphor as a device used in songs or poems only, and that it has nothing
to do with our everyday life. In fact, all of us in our routine life speak, write and think in
metaphors. We cannot avoid them. Metaphors are sometimes constructed through our
common language. They are called conventional metaphors. Calling a person a “night owl” or
an “early bird” or saying “life is a journey” are common conventional metaphor examples
commonly heard and understood by most of us. Below are some more conventional metaphors
we often hear in our daily life:
My brother was boiling mad. (This implies he was too angry.)
The assignment was a breeze. (This implies that the assignment was not difficult.)
It is going to be clear skies from now on. (This implies that clear skies are not a threat
and life is going to be without hardships)
The skies of his future began to darken. (Darkness is a threat; therefore, this implies that
the coming times are going to be hard for him.)
Her voice is music to his ears. (This implies that her voice makes him feel happy)
Literary Metaphor Examples
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Metaphors are used in all type of literature but not often to the degree they are used in poetry
because poems are meant to communicate complex images and feelings to the readers and
metaphors often state the comparisons most emotively. Here are some examples of metaphor
from famous poems.
Example #1
“She is all states, and all princes, I.”
John Donne, a metaphysical poet, was well-known for his abundant use of metaphors
throughout his poetical works. In his well-known work “The Sun Rising,” the speaker scolds the
sun for waking him and his beloved. Among the most evocative metaphors in literature, he
explains “she is all states, and all princes, I.” This line demonstrates the speaker’s belief that he
and his beloved are richer than all states, kingdoms, and rulers in the entire world because of
the love that they share.
Example #2
“Shall I Compare Thee to a summer’s Day”,
William Shakespeare was the best exponent of the use of metaphors. His poetical works and
dramas all make wide-ranging use of metaphors.
“Sonnet 18,”also known as “Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer’s Day,” is an extended
metaphor between the love of the speaker and the fairness of the summer season. He writes
that “thy eternal summer,” here taken to mean the love of the subject, “shall not fade.”
Example #3
“Before high-pil’d books, in charact’ry / Hold like rich garners the full-ripened grain,”
The great Romantic poet John Keats suffered great losses in his life – the death of his father in
an accident, and of his mother and brother through tuberculosis.
When he began displaying signs of tuberculosis himself at the age of 22, he wrote “When I Have
Fears,” a poem rich with metaphors concerning life and death. In the line “before high-pil’d
books, in charact’ry / Hold like rich garners the full-ripened grain”, he employs a double-
metaphor. Writing poetry is implicitly compared with reaping and sowing, and both these acts
represent the emptiness of a life unfulfilled creatively.
Functions
From the above arguments, explanations and examples, we can easily infer the function of
metaphors; both in our daily lives and in a piece of literature. Using appropriate metaphors
appeals directly to the senses of listeners or readers, sharpening their imaginations to
comprehend what is being communicated to them. Moreover, it gives a life-like quality to our
conversations and to the characters of the fiction or poetry. Metaphors are also ways of
thinking, offering the listeners and the readers fresh ways of examining ideas and viewing the
world.
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Oxford Dictionary says that it “conveys an indelicate meaning”. The first meaning in double
entendre is usually straightforward while the second meaning is ironic, risqué or inappropriate.
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Mrs. Slocombe: Before we go any further, Mr. Rumbold, Miss Brahms and I would like to
complain about the state of our drawers. They’re a positive disgrace.
Mr. Rumbold: Your what, Mrs. Slocombe?
Mrs. Slocombe: Our drawers. They’re sticking. And it’s always the same in damp weather.
Mr. Rumbold: Really …
Mrs. Slocombe: They sent a man who put beeswax on them, but that made them worse.
Mr. Rumbold: I’m not surprised.
Miss Brahms: I think they need sandpapering.
The double entendre is used as in the words like “positive disgrace” and “sent a man…made
them worse”. There writer has used double meanings.
Example #5
Event from The Odyssey by Homer.
It happens that Odysseus lands on the island of one-eyed giant Polyphemus and enters his
caves with his twelve valiant soldiers. However, he is caught and imprisoned when the Cyclops
closed its door with a huge stone wheel. When the Cyclops asks his name, he tells him that his
name is “Nobody” and then plans with his surviving soldiers to blind him with a log made hot
and sharpened with knives. When they succeed, the Cyclops cries out at the top of his voice
saying, “Nobody has hurt me. Nobody is going to kill me.”
Here “Nobody” has been used as a double entendre as it has double meanings. On the one
hand, it means that “Nobody” that is Odysseus has blinded him while on the other hand it
means that nobody has done this to the Cyclops.
Function of Double Entendre
As double entendre is a phrase that expresses double meanings, the purpose of using double
entendre is usually to articulate one thing perfectly and indirectly (which is generally an insult,
or an insinuation). Shakespeare made use of this device to add humor to his work. If the
audience are able to understand the different meanings that the actors or characters are trying
to convey, double entendre will surely create laughter or to put forward a suggestion to the
audiences.
Definition of Tautology
Tautology is a repetitive use of phrases or words which have similar meanings. In simple words,
it is expressing the same thing, an idea or saying two or more times. The word tautology is
derived from the Greek word “tauto” (the same) and “logos” (a word or an idea).
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Types of Tautology
There are several types of tautology which are commonly used in everyday life, in poetry, in
prose, in songs, and in discussions depending on the requirements of a situation. Some of the
common categories are:
Due to inadequacies in Language
Intentional ambiguities
Derision
As a Poetic Device
Psychological significance
Used by inept Speakers
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In a sort of Runic rhyme…
From the bells, bells, bells, bells.”
(The Bells by Edgar Allen Poe)
“Twit twit twit/ Jug jug jug jug jug jug”
(The Wasteland” by T. S. Eliot)
“This is the way the world ends
This is the way the world ends
This is the way the world ends
Not with a bang but a whimper.”
(The Hollow Men by T. S. Eliot)
Here, different types of tautologies have been used in a technical way of repetition that
dominates others such as figures of speech, imitation and ornamentation. All of above
mentioned examples might appear in the daily use of language and also as poetic devices.
Example #8
Unlike the artistic inspiration inbuilt in the preceding types of redundancy; here are a couple of
tautology examples with psychological implications. The speakers show the acceptance of their
destiny in these types of repetition:
“If I perish, I perish.”
(Esther 4:15)
“If I be bereaved (of my children), I am bereaved.”
(Genesis 43:14)
Function of Tautology
The importance of tautology cannot be denied in modern literary writing. Today, however,
writers try to avoid using tautological words and phrases to avoid monotony and repetition. It
has almost become a norm to present short and to-the-point language instead of repetitious
and redundant piece.
Despite it being counted as a major style error, several writers commonly use tautology as a
powerful tool to emphasize a particular idea or draw their readers’ attention to a certain aspect
of life. But it is not always taken as a quality of poor grammar; rather it has been taken as a
specific rhetorical device.
Definition of Meiosis
The word meiosis originated from the Greek word “meioo” that means “to diminish” or “to
make smaller”. Meiosis can be defined as a witty understatement that belittles or dismisses
something or somebody, particularly by making use of terms that gives impression that
something is less important than it is or it should be. Meiosis examples are sometimes also used
in the sense of a synonym of litotes.
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moment. For example, when Mercutio is wounded mortally and he says “ay, ay, a scratch, a
scratch…” , this is a form of meiosis(Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare).
Features of Meiosis
It is intentional understatement.
It is used to belittle a person or an event.
It is opposite to hyperbole or exaggeration.
It often makes use of litotes as synonym to give ironic effect.
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(Fire and Ice by Robert Frost)
The understatement in the entire poem is given emphasis on the last word which is suffice. That
means “adequate. In this poem, ice symbolizes hatred and fire passion that could consume
relations quickly. Therefore, both would be more than enough to destroy the world.
Example #4
King Arthur: The Lady of the Lake, her arm clad in the purest shimmering samite held aloft
Excalibur from the bosom of the water.
Peasant: Listen, strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of
government. Power derives from the masses not from some farcical aquatic ceremony.
King Arthur: Be quiet!
Peasant: You can’t expect to wield supreme power because some watery tart threw a sword at
you.
King Arthur: Shut up!
Peasant: If I went around saying I was an emperor because some moistened bint had lobbed a
scimitar at me…”
(Monty Python and the Holy Grail, 1975)
Just check the use of the words moistened bint the peasant says to King Arthur. This is the best
use of meiosis used here to belittle the king himself.
Function of Meiosis
Meiosis, in fact, illustrates tone and mannerism such as quiet and brooding where protagonists
are often understated in tone and action. Meiosis is very common everywhere in our daily lives,
old and modern literature and media. We can distinguish understatement in modesty, in
humor, in composed and calm characters, in personalities where it gives rhetorical effects to
the speech delivered by them. Since it is a method used to give information that diminishes the
response of an overemotional occurrence, the basic function of meiosis is to reduce the
significance of someone or something in order to heighten something else simultaneously.
Metonymy Definition
It is a figure of speech that replaces the name of a thing with the name of something else with
which it is closely associated. We can come across examples of metonymy both from literature
and in everyday life.
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develops relation on the grounds of close associations as in “The White House is concerned
about terrorism.” The White House here represents the people who work in it.
Examples of Metonymy in Everyday Life
We use metonymy frequently in our everyday life. For a better understanding, let us observe a
few metonymy examples:
England decides to keep check on immigration. (England refers to the government.)
The pen is mightier than the sword. (Pen refers to written words and sword to military
force.)
The Oval Office was busy in work. (“The Oval Office” is a metonymy as it stands for
people at work in the office.)
Let me give you a hand. (Hand means help.)
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He asked the waves, and asked the felon winds,
What hard mishap hath doomed this gentle swain?”
In the above-mentioned lines, John Milton uses “oat” for a musical instrument made out of an
oak-stalk. Thus, “oat” represents the song that the poet is composing next to the ocean.
Function of Metonymy
Generally, metonymy is used in developing literary symbolism i.e. it gives more profound
meanings to otherwise common ideas and objects. By using metonymy, texts exhibit deeper or
hidden meanings and thus drawing readers’ attention. In addition, the use of metonymy helps
achieve conciseness. For instance, “Rifles were guarding the gate” is more concise than “The
guards with rifles in their hands were guarding the gate.”
Furthermore, metonymy, like other literary devices, is employed to add a poetic color to words
to make them come to life. The simple ordinary things are described in a creative way to insert
this “life” factor to the literary works.
Synecdoche Definition
Synecdoche is a literary device in which a part of something represents the whole or it may use
a whole to represent a part.
Synecdoche may also use larger groups to refer to smaller groups or vice versa. It may also call
a thing by the name of the material it is made of or it may refer to a thing in a container or
packing by the name of that container or packing.
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“Pentagon” is a synecdoche when it refers to a few decision makers.
The word “glasses” refers to spectacles.
“Coppers” often refers to coins.
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Literary symbolism is developed by the writers who employ synecdoche in their literary works.
By using synecdoche, the writers give otherwise common ideas and objects deeper meanings
and thus draw readers’ attention.
Furthermore, the use of synecdoche helps writers to achieve brevity. For instance, saying
“Soldiers were equipped with steel” is more concise than saying “The soldiers were equipped
with swords, knives, daggers, arrows etc.”
Like any other literary device, synecdoche when used appropriately adds a distinct color to
words making them appear vivid. To insert this “life” factor to literary works, writers describe
simple ordinary things creatively with the aid of this literary device
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