revision of figure of speech by eguriase s. m. okaka

Revision of Figure of Speech

By Eguriase S. M. Okaka Figures of Speech Figures of speech are words and expressions used by writers of prose, poetry and drama to make their works interesting and memorable. Writers using figures of speech deliberately deviate from the literal sense of the word. Figures of speech create images or mental pictures in the reader’s mind. The following are examples of figures of speech: • Simile: A simile compares two things that have certain qualities in common by using as or like. Examples are: a) The house where the old woman lives is as quiet as a graveyard. b) The girl is as cunning as a fox. c) Nigeria, our country, is as beautiful as a damsel – see the poem ‘The young, old virgin’. Line 3 of the poem, ‘Lucky old sun’ – ‘work like the devil for my pay’ (Stanza 1, line 3) • Metaphor: This is a direct comparison of two things without using as or like. Examples are: a) That boy is a pig. b) In the poem ‘Nigeria’ –metaphors are used by writers in the some of the lines. Examples are: Line 2-3 – Nigeria is a land flowing with milk and honey. Line 9 – It is said to be a paradise on earth. Line 12 – Malignant disease – corruption is compared to a malignant disease. Line 13 (last line) – a heaven on earth Please refer to the poem ‘The Young, Old Virgin’ in this blog for more examples. • Personification: This is a figure of speech in which inanimate objects or ideas are given human qualities. Examples: a) In the poem ‘The Young, Old Virgin’, Nigeria is personified – look at her, beautiful as….. b) Throughout the journey, the trees kept waving at us. c) Times waits for no one. • Alliteration: This is the repetition of consonant sounds, usually at the beginning of words, in two or more words on the same line. Alliteration helps the reader to remember the words or phrases easily. Examples: a) The love of money makes many mad. b) Keep the kettle in the kitchen. • Assonance: This is the repetition of vowel sounds in two or more words in the same line. Examples: a) Eat the meat and beans with a smile. b) Fill this pit. • Rhythm: This is a regular repeated pattern of sounds. A song-like effect is usually achieved through a good rhythmic pattern. This is usually pronounced in poetry and music. Rhythmic pattern refers to the alternation of strong and soft or weak syllables. Practice Exercise Rejoice Rejoice and shout with laughter Throw all your burdens down, If God has been so gracious As to make you black or brown, For you are great nations, A people of a great birth For where would spring the flowers If God took away the earth? Rejoice and shout with laughter Throw all your burdens down Yours is gracious heritage If you are black or brown. • Glays Casely-Hayford (From West African verse by D. I Nwoga). Comments on the poem This poem is a direct address to us Africans to make us realize that we should be happy with the color of our skin – black or brown. There is a tendency in the past for Africans to be ashamed of being black. This is because blacks were used as slaves by the colonialist. However, the poet tells the Africans to rejoice for being black and be grateful to God. This is conveyed by choice words that create happiness – rejoice, shout with laughter, gracious, glorious. The poem has 12 lines and brisk, lively and joyful rhythm e.g. Rejoice and shout with laughter The rhyme scheme of this poem is irregular. The poem has repetitions in lines 1 and 9; 2 and 10; and 4 and 12. • Hyperbole Hyperbole is the use exaggeration to create a strong impression, but is not meant to be taken literally or on the surface value. For example a person may say. ‘I will never leave my wife in a million years’ ‘I am so hungry I could eat a horse.’ A hyperbole make a boring story come to life or become funny. By Eguriase S. M. Okaka