Literary Devices: Metaphor and Allusion

Figurative Language

Metaphor

• A comparison between two unlike things without using "like" or "as"
• States that one thing is another thing to create a vivid and evocative representation
• Examples:
  • "He is a lion on the battlefield" (comparing a person to an animal)
  • "Life is a journey" (comparing life to a path or travel)

Allusion

• A reference to a person, place, event, or work of art that is outside the text itself
• Assumes the reader is familiar with the reference
• Used to create a richer meaning or context
• Examples:
  • "Their love was a Romeo and Juliet story" (referencing the famous Shakespearean play)
  • "He was a modern-day Hercules" (referencing the mythological hero)

Personification

• Attributing human-like qualities or characteristics to non-human entities, such as objects or animals
• Creates a vivid and imaginative representation
• Examples:
  • "The sun smiled down on us" (giving the sun human-like qualities)
  • "The wind howled in anger" (giving the wind human-like emotions)

Idioms

• A phrase or expression that has a figurative meaning different from the literal meaning of the individual words
• Often used to add flavor and interest to language
• Examples:
  • "It's raining cats and dogs" (meaning it's raining heavily)
  • "Break a leg" (meaning good luck)

Inference

• A conclusion or deduction drawn from indirect or implicit information
• Requires the reader to make connections between the text and their own knowledge or experience
• Examples:
  • A character's body language and tone of voice suggest they are upset, even if it's not explicitly stated
  • A description of a setting implies a certain mood or atmosphere

Figurative Language

Metaphor

• A comparison between two unlike things without using "like" or "as"
• States one thing is another to create a vivid representation
• Creates a powerful and evocative image in the reader's mind
• Example: "He is a lion on the battlefield"

Allusion

• A reference to a person, place, event, or work outside the text itself
• Assumes reader familiarity with the reference
• Adds richer meaning or context to the text
• Examples: "Their love was a Romeo and Juliet story", "He was a modern-day Hercules"

Personification

• Attributing human-like qualities or characteristics to non-human entities
• Creates a vivid and imaginative representation
• Examples: "The sun smiled down on us", "The wind howled in anger"

Idioms

• A phrase or expression with a figurative meaning different from literal meaning
• Often used to add flavor and interest to language
• Examples: "It's raining cats and dogs", "Break a leg"

Inference

• A conclusion drawn from indirect or implicit information
• Requires reader to make connections between text and their own knowledge or experience
• Examples: inferring a character's emotions from body language and tone of voice, setting descriptions implying mood or atmosphere