explanation about simile

Explanation about SIMILE

Simile Definition

A simile is a figure of speech that makes a comparison, showing similarities between two different things. Unlike a metaphor, a simile draws resemblance with the help of the words “like” or “as”. Therefore, it is a direct comparison.

Common Examples of Simile

• Our soldiers are as brave as lions.
• Her cheeks are red like a rose.
• He is as funny as a monkey.
• The water well was as dry as a bone.
• He is as cunning as a fox.

Function of Simile

From the above discussion, we can infer the function of similes both in our everyday life as well as in literature. Using similes attracts the attention and appeals directly to the senses of listeners or readers encouraging their imagination to comprehend what is being communicated. In addition, it inspires life-like quality in our daily talks and in the characters of fiction or poetry. Simile allows readers to relate the feelings of a writer or a poet to their personal experiences. Therefore, the use of similes makes it easier for the readers to understand the subject matter of a literary text, which may have been otherwise too demanding to be comprehended. Like metaphors, similes also offer variety in our ways of thinking and offers new perspectives of viewing the world.

Similes vs. Metaphors

Similes are often confused with metaphors, which are another type of figurative language used by poets, songwriters and rappers alike. But instead of using the language of comparison the way similes do, metaphors describe things as if they were something else.

Where Can We Find Similes?

Similes are abundant in poetry, fiction and even song lyrics. You can also find similes in many popular advertisements, such as Chevrolet’s “Like a Rock” slogan. However, many popular similes are cliches — overused phrases that sound a little bit corny and trite

How Can We Use Similes?

Using similes in a story, poem, song or even an academic project can help engage your reader and make your writing a lot more fun!

What’s the Difference between a Simile and a Metaphor?

Metaphors simply state a comparison. Similes use the words “like” or “as” to compare things. Because they both make comparisons, all similes are metaphors, but not all metaphors are similes.

Here are some examples of similes and metaphors:

Life is like a box of chocolates. (Simile)
My life is an open book. (Metaphor)
That baby is as cute as a button! (Simile)
Baby, you’re a firework. (Metaphor)

Concluded simile 

A simile is a figure of speech that makes a comparison, showing similarities between two different things.

Function simile is Using similes attracts the attention and appeals directly to the senses of listeners or readers encouraging their imagination to comprehend what is being communicated

Similes vs. Metaphors is But instead of using the language of comparison the way similes do, metaphors describe things as if they were something else.

You can find Similes are abundant in poetry, fiction and even song lyrics. You can also find similes in many popular advertisements, such as Chevrolet’s “Like a Rock” slogan.

Using similes in a story, poem, song or even an academic project.

Metaphors simply state a comparison. Similes use the words “like” or “as” to compare things.

References :

http://literarydevices.net/simile/

http://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-a-simile-examples-definitions-types.html

http://www.k12reader.com/term/simile/

https://www.grammarly.com/blog/whats-the-difference-between-a-simile-and-a-metaphor/

IDIOMS

An idiom is an expression that conveys something different from its literal meaning, and that cannot be guessed from the meanings of its individual words. “Between a rock and a hard place” is an idiom that means “in a difficult or bad position with no good way of getting out of it.” What makes an idiom different from a figure of speech is that its nonliteral meaning is already familiar to speakers of the language.

The purpose use of idioms

The purpose behind this vast use of idioms is to ornate their language, make it richer and spicier and help them in conveying subtle meanings to their intended audience.
Not only do idioms help in making the language beautiful, they also make things better or worse through making the expression good or bad. For example, there are several idioms that convey the death of a person in highly subtle meanings and some do the same in very offensive terms. They are also said to be exact and more correct than the literal words and sometimes a few words are enough to replace a full sentence. They help the writer make his sense clearer than it is, so that he could convey maximum meanings through minimum words and also keep the multiplicity of the meanings in the text intact.

It has also been seen that idioms not only convey subtle meanings but also convey a phenomenon that is not being conveyed through normal and everyday language and also they keep the balance in the communication. Furthermore, they provide textual coherence, so that the reader could be able to piece together a text that he has gone through and extract meanings the writer has conveyed.

Common Idioms

Some idioms are used by most people that speak English; others are used by a more select group.

Common idioms that refer to people include:

• A chip on your shoulder - means you are holding a grudge
• High as a kite - means you are drunk or on drugs
• Sick as a dog - means you are very ill

Idioms that refer to your actions would be:

• Rub someone the wrong way - meaning to annoy or bother
• Jump the gun - would mean to be doing something early
• Pay the piper - means you need to face the consequences of your actions

Some idioms use color words to convey other meanings. For example, there are several that use the word “blue:”

• “The blues” can refer to both a style of music and feeling sad.
• If something occurs rarely, it is said to happen “once in a blue moon”, because a blue moon is two full moons in one month, which doesn’t happen often.
• “Out of the blue” means something happens that was unexpected. 

SYMBOLISM

symbolism  is the practice or art of using an object or a word to represent an abstract idea. An action, person, place, word, or object can all have a symbolic meaning. When an author wants to suggest a certain mood or emotion, he can also use symbolism to hint at it, rather than just blatantly saying it.

Symbolism in Literature 

Symbolism is often used by writers to enhance their writing. Symbolism can give a literary work more richness and color and can make the meaning of the work deeper.  

In literature, symbolism can take many forms including:

• A figure of speech where an object, person, or situation has another meaning other than its literal meaning. 
• The actions of a character, word, action, or event that have a deeper meaning in the context of the whole story.  

Symbolism in Everyday Life 

Our language contains an immense number of symbols whose intended meaning or significance is well-known and accepted by the majority. Of course, many of these do wind up in books, magazines, stories, and other written works. 

Symbolism is found in colors:

• Black is used to represent death or evil.
• White stands for life and purity.
• Red can symbolize blood, passion, danger, or immoral character.
• Purple is a royal color.

Symbolic Objects

Objects are often used to symbolize something else:

• A chain can symbolize the coming together of two things.
• A ladder can represent the relationship between heaven and earth or ascension.
• A mirror can denote the sun but when it is broken, it can represent an unhappy union or a separation. 

Flowers as Symbols

Even flowers can have a symbolism:

• Roses stand for romance.
• Violets represent shyness.
• Lilies stand for beauty and temptation

Symbolism, as you see, can be found almost anywhere. Any time there is something that represents more than its literal meaning, this can be an example of symbolism.

References :
http://examples.yourdictionary.com/idiom.html

http://www.learnersdictionary.com/qa/Idioms-metaphors-similes-and-hyperbole

http://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-symbolism.html

METONYMY and PROVERB

METONYMY

·         What is a Metonymy?

Although literally a pen has no power over a sword, we understand this phrase means that the written word, persuasion, and the sharing of ideas are more powerful than fighting, physical force, and war. This phrase uses metonymy (pronounced mi-ton–uh-mee), which is the replacement of words with related or associated words. In the example, we replaced “written words” with “the pen.”

The word metonymy is derived from the Greek phrase metōnymía meaning “a change of name.”

·         Examples of Metonymy 

Example 1

Hollywood has been releasing a surprising amount of sci-fi movies lately.

Hollywood is literally a district in Los Angeles, but because it has come to be linked to the entertainment business, celebrities, and movie-making, it is a common example of metonymy. Instead of listing various directors and films released in various areas, “Hollywood,” an associated word, will suffice.

Example 2

The kitchen is coming along nicely

This example means that the renovation work on the kitchen is moving quickly and efficiently. Because the kitchen is the room being worked on, we can simplify the sentence using only “the kitchen” as a metonymic phrase.

·         Examples of Metonymy in Pop Culture

Example 1

First, listen to John Legend’s “All of Me”:

What would I do without your smart mouth?

Drawing me in, and you kicking me out

‘Cause all of me

Loves all of you

This song uses metonymy when the speaker wonders what he would do without “your smart mouth,” speaking to a woman through one of her defining features. In the chorus, instead of saying “I love you,” the speaker says “All of me loves all of you” to emphasize how strong and all-encompassing their love is.

·         The Importance of Metonymy

Because associative and referential thinking are so natural and automatic to us, metonymies can be found and understood frequently in everyday language, literature, and pop culture. Metonymies allow for brevity by replacing lists with an associated category. They summarize complicated processes or programs with shortened phrases.

·         In Closing

Because associative thinking is so important in creative work, literary devices like metonymy are standard and commonly found. In literature and conversation alike, we express ideas thoughtfully and creatively by replacing them with associated or attributed phrases.

PROVERB

·         Definition of Proverb

Proverb is a brief, simple and popular saying, or a phrase that gives advice and effectively embodies a commonplace truth based on practical experience or common sense. A proverb may have an allegorical message behind its odd appearance. The reason of popularity is due to its usage in spoken language as well as in the folk literature. Some authors twist and bend proverbs and create anti-proverbs to add literary effects to their works.

·                               Role of Proverbs in Society

Proverbs play many roles in society. The first, possibly, most common role that a proverb plays is to educate. Most often tossed around as expert advice in conversation, the innate role to educate people on what might happen if they do something.

Think of a proverb as a little tidbit of wisdom that just about everyone – no matter where they are from – can offer. There is a proverb for just about every circumstance, and proverbs can be applied to any situation. 

English and American proverbs are almost second nature when delivered. The origins are quite often little known, yet the expressions are popular. Ethnic proverbs, on the other hand, may be a little deeper to digest, and require non-natives of the proverb’s country of origin, to think about the meaning in order to better understand how it applies to their lives.

·         Function of Proverb

Proverbs play very important roles in different types of literary works. The most important function of proverbs is to teach and educate the audience. They often contain an expert advice with a role for educating the readers on what they may face if they would do something. Hence, proverbs play a didactic role, as they play a universal role in teaching wisdom and sagacity to the common people. Since proverbs are usually metaphorical and indirect; therefore, they allow writers to express their message in a less harsh way.

·         Proverbs Throughout the World

African Proverbs            

Across the vast continent of Africa, many African nations disseminated proverbs that were meant to educate and inspire those who used them.

Here are a few examples of African proverbs.

• “A tree is known by its fruit” – (of Zulu origin - this means that success is shown by the deeds.)
• “I have been bitten by a tsetse fly” – (of Tanzanian origin – this means that a person will continuously be a pest until you pay off a debt.)

Asian Proverbs

Some examples of Asian proverbs include the following:

• “The old horse in the stable still yearns to run” – (this means that those who are older still have things they would like to accomplish.)
• “A spark can start a fire that burns the entire prairie” – (this means that a small problem can snowball into a huge problem that can cause major damage.)

American Proverbs

Some examples of American based proverbs include:

• "Absence makes the heart grow fonder” – (this means that when you separate from someone that you love by putting distance between you that you will inevitably love them more and yearn to see them.)
• "All that glitters is not gold” – (this means that just because something looks good, does not necessarily mean that it is good.)

English Proverbs

Some examples of English proverbs include:

• Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.
• It’s no use locking the stable door after the horse has bolted.
• Laugh and the world laughs with you, weep and you weep alone.

References :

http://literaryterms.net/metonymy/

http://literarydevices.net/proverb/

http://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-proverbs.html