It is very important to comprehend the various literary devices and use of figures of speech whenever one decides to plunge into the world of literature. These tools enhance the given text, provide additional dimensions and affect, which are essential to engage the readers’ attention and create a compelling narrative. Even though these terms are quite similar and are frequently used interchangeably, they have specific meanings in the context of literary analysis.
Definition of Literary Devices
These are used by authors to ensure that they pass on certain ideas or even to make the story more interesting and rich for the reader.
Literary Devices can be physical or abstract features of a text that enrich the storyline and its interpretation. Some of the techniques used in writing include; Metaphor, Simile, Alliteration, Imagery, Symbolism, Irony and Foreshadowing.
Examples of Literary Devices in Literature
1- Metaphor
Example: “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” (“As You Like It”)
Shakespeare compares the world to a stage so as to imply that life is a play and people are but players in the play.
See also: What is metaphor in poetry?
2- Foreshadowing
Example: In the play “Romeo and Juliet” by Shakespeare, he foreshadows the terrible ending when Romeo says, “My life were better ended by their hate, than death prorogued, wanting of thy love.”
This line is an indication of Romeo’s death, which gives an understanding to the readers about the tragic end of the play.
See also: Examples of Foreshadowing in Literature
3- Symbolism
Example: In “The Great Gatsby”, the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock symbolizes the unachievable dreams of Gatsby as well as the American Dream.
The green light is the indication of hopes and aspirations of Gatsby. It explores the theme of desire and the avocation of the American Dream.
Functions of Literary Devices
Literary devices serve several crucial functions in literature:
- The literary devices like metaphors and similes are used to describe the situations and the objects, which enhance the imagination of the reader and increase the chances to preserve the information.
- Symbolism and foreshadowing hint at the events in the story, which are useful to establish and sustain the major ideas of the work.
- Alliteration and assonance for instance, are used to create rhythm and mood of the piece to help in eliciting certain emotive responses from the reader.
- It opens up the readers’ eyes to different levels of meanings, hence creating a sense of thought provoking among the readers.
Definition of Figurative Language
Figurative language is the language where words or expressions do not mean exactly what they are saying, but they have a different meaning entirely.
It entails a specific category of figures of speech that is used to create a picture description in the mind of the audience or to give a concrete meaning to an abstract idea. It is a type of language that uses some of the following; metaphors, similes, personification, hyperboles, and idioms.
See also: 50 Figures of Speech With Examples
Examples of Figurative Language in Literature
1- Simile
Example: “Her smile was as bright as the sun.”
Simile compares two dissimilar aspects by utilizing the words “like” or “as”. It creates an evocative image of the glow of her smile.
2- Personification
Example: “The wind whispered through the trees.”
In the line, the figurative language i.e. personification has been used. It provides the human characteristics to non-human elements, which make the narrative more vivid and suitable.
3- Hyperbole
Example: “I’ve told you a million times.”
This type of figurative language is an overstatement, that is used for creating emphasis. It is not meant to be taken literally.
Functions of Figurative Language
Figurative language plays a vital role in literature by:
- It is more effective in painting pictures in the reader’s mind and making the imagination work harder to picture things out.
- The emotions and moods are better conveyed through the use of figurative expressions, thus, making the text more emotionally appealing.
- Figurative language enables the writers to put their ideas across in a simpler manner.
- The elements like hyperbole and personification help to underline some ideas and make them more memorable for the reader.
Differences Between Literary Devices and Figurative Language
Here is the head-to-head comparison between literary devices and figurative language.
| Aspect | Literary Devices | Figurative Language |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Techniques used by writers to convey meaning and enhance their writing | Language that uses figures of speech to be more effective, persuasive, or impactful |
| Purview | Broader category that includes figurative language | A subset of literary devices |
| Purpose | To create effects, convey ideas, and enhance the overall quality of writing | To create vivid imagery and express ideas in a non-literal way |
| Examples | Foreshadowing, flashback, irony, symbolism, alliteration | Metaphor, simile, personification, hyperbole |
| Literal meaning | Can be literal or non-literal | Always non-literal |
| Usage | Used in various forms of writing, including prose and poetry | More commonly associated with poetry and creative writing |
| Complexity | Can range from simple to complex | Generally straightforward once understood |
| Interpretation | May require deeper analysis to understand | Often more immediately apparent to readers |
Examples and Analysis
To explore the differences and nexus between the literary devices and the figurative language, let’s look into the examples from the literature:
Example 1: “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare
“Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player That struts and frets his hour upon the stage And then is heard no more: it is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing.”
Analysis:
- Literary Device: Metaphor (Life has been compared to a walking shadow and a poor player).
- Figurative Language: The entire passage employs figurative language to explain the ineffectiveness and triviality of the life.
- Interconnection: The metaphor has been used as both a literary device and a figurative language. It examines the core theme of factual distress in “Macbeth.”
Example 2: “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost
“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.”
Analysis:
- Literary Device: Symbolism (In the passage, the roads symbolize the choices of the life).
- Figurative Language: The roads and the act of choosing a path are figurative explanation of the decisions of the life.
- Interconnection: The symbolism acts as a literary device, whereas the figurative language increases the exploration of the poem’s choice and peculiarity.
Example 3: “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee
“Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don’t eat up people’s gardens, don’t nest in corncribs, they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.”
Analysis:
- Literary Device: Symbolism (Mockingbirds indicates the innocence and morality).
- Figurative Language: The illustration of the mockingbirds is figurative. It indicates their gentle and advantageous nature.
- Interconnection: The symbolism used in the mockingbird acts as a literary device. However, the figurative language underscores the moral lesson of safeguarding the innocent.
Practical Applications in Writing
It is also important for one to be able to comprehend literary devices and other special ways of using language, as it not only aids in the analysis of literature but also in the construction of better writing. Here are some practical applications:
1- Enhancing Descriptions
Comparisons such as similes and metaphors may help the reader to better imagine what is being described in the text. For instance instead of writing, ‘The sunset was beautiful’, you could write, ‘The sky was coated red, orange as if the sun had used a brush to paint it.’
2- Developing Themes
The use of literary elements such as symbols and foreshadowing are to enhance and further strengthen the themes that have been chosen and developed in a piece of writing. For instance, applying a motif of a broken mirror for the purpose of symbolizing failed dreams can enhance the plot of your story.
3- Creating Rhythm and Mood
Using methods like alliteration and assonance create a certain rhythm and set the tone. For instance, in the sentence ‘The silent, silver sea shimmered softly,’ the alliteration of the sea helps to depict serenity.
4- Emphasizing Points
The use of hyperbole emphasizes certain points and make them more impactful. For instance, “I’ve told you a million times” convey anger and persuasiveness of the speaker as well as the surroundings in which we live in.
