Figures of Speech—Definitions and Examples—Use of Figures
In Figurative Language we employ words in such a way that they differ somewhat from their ordinary signification in commonplace speech and convey our meaning in a more vivid and impressive manner than when we use them in their every-day sense. Figures make speech more effective, they beautify and emphasize it and give to it a relish and piquancy as salt does to food? besides they add energy and force to expression so that it irresistibly compels attention and interest. There are four kinds of figures, viz.: 1. Figures of Orthography which change the spelling of a word? 2. Figures of Etymology which change the form of words? 3. Figures of Syntax which change the construction of sentences? 4. Figures of Rhetoric or the art of speaking and writing effectively which change the mode of thought.
We shall only consider the last mentioned here as they are the most important,really giving to language the construction and style which make it a fitting medium for the intercommunication of ideas.
Figures of Rhetoric have been variously classified, some authorities extending the list to a useless length. The fact is that any form of expression which conveys thought may be classified as a Figure.
The principal figures as well as the most important and those oftenest used are, Simile, Metaphor, Personification, Allegory, Synechdoche, Metonymy, Exclamation,Hyperbole, Apostrophe, Vision, Antithesis, Climax, Epigram, Interrogation and Irony.
The first four are founded on resemblance, the second six on contiguity and the third five, on contrast.
A Simile(from the Latin similis, like), is the likening of one thing to another, a statement of the resemblance of objects, acts, or relations? as"In his awful anger he was like the storm-driven waves dashing against the rock." A simile makes the principal object plainer and impresses it more forcibly on the mind."His memory is like wax to receive impressions and like marble to retain them." This brings out the leading idea as to the man's memory in a very forceful manner. Contrast it with the simple statement—"His memory is good." Sometimes Simile is prostituted to a low and degrading use? as"His face was like a danger signal in a fog storm.""Her hair was like a furze-bush in bloom.""He was to his lady love as a poodle to its mistress." Such burlesque is never permissible. Mere likeness, it should be remembered, does not constitute a simile. For instance there is no simile when one city is compared to another. In order that there may be a rhetorical simile, the objects compared must be of different classes. Avoid the old trite similes such as comparing a hero to a lion. Such were played out long ago. And don't hunt for farfetched similes. Don't say—"Her head was glowing as the glorious god of day when he sets in a flambeau of splendor behind the purple-tinted hills of the West." It is much better to do without such a simile and simply say—"She had fiery red hair."