Literary Appreciation (a) And then his yam!

like a giant wrestler

with legs.
Imagery
Images can be created in a number of (b) Like nurses in a ward.
ways. One way of creating imagery is by (c) Curses are like chickens They come home
using figurative language, through which to
we conjure the picture of two or more
(d) Her cheeks appear as the dawn of day.
things into writing and, thereby binging
(e) His blue shirt blows in the breeze like a
out very aptly the quality or the idea we
tattered kite.
are presenting. Figurative language is more
language. Thus, poets use figurative language resemblance is implied
very extensively figures of speech are used to rather than formally
perform or illustrate the following: expressed. Where a simile
Create images / pictures. draws a comparison
Lay emphasis on certain events. between two ideas, a
Satirise or ridicule bad metaphor goes a step
further and substitutes the
occurrences
second's ideas for the first,
Decorate, overstate or exaggerate, that is why it is called

effective and more vivid than ordinary or literary

and make feelings properly compressed simile. It is
appreciated. also used like simile to
create a picture or images
KINDS OF FIGURES OF SPEECH of events e.g.
(a) Hidden in the half-darkness, the next of
1. Metaphor: Metaphor is a
gentle words.
figure of speech also This
(b) The general who is a lion in the field has
is founded on
seen many wars.
resemblance, but the
2. Mixed metaphor: the merging prowess could say, "l will not
of two metaphors e.g. (a) talk of his limitless ability at
Putting up guns to oppose the war".
multitude of crisis. (b) 4. Parallelism: This is a form of
repetition used in order to
taking up arms against
reveal what has been said in a
the of trouble. (c) civilisation
different form, all meaning the
kicked us in the face. same thing. e.g. in the
3. Paralipsisp: This is a figure of
Ulysses, Ulysses counseled
speech in which a person
pretends to neglect an obvious thus "How dull it is to pause,
truth. For example, a speaker, to make an end". End and
while speaking about anperson's Pause mean the same thing.
 5. Polisyndeton: This is the but the resemblance is implied
literary device of using rather than formally expressed.
several conjunctions in close Where a smile draws a comparison
succession. e.g. (a) “And the between two ideas, a metaphor
sky changed and the wind goes a step further and substitutes
blew and the rain fell and the the second’s ideas for the first, that
flood came". (b) He took his is why it is called compressed
leave and umbrella and my similes. It is also used like simile to
home. create a picture or images of events.
6. Simile: A simile is that figure E.g.
of speech in which a likeness (a) Hidden in the half-darkness, the next
is definitely or formally of gentle.
expressed. The objects or (b) The general who is a lion in the field
situations compared may be has seen many wars.
of different kind and quality, (c) A velvet bolster laid on flowers.
but similarity can be noticed (d) The rushing wind killed the budding
in certain areas and this words.
resemblance can be easily (e) He is not good at cricket: he has okra
seen. There are also simple fingers.
and extended similes. They 8. Personification: In personification,
are used to create images to we speak of a thing, whether an
clearly identify merits and object, a quality, inanimate
demerits of a literary work. It thing or abstract idea as though it were a
is also aimed at assisting the living
reader to have a clear picture being. Personification can then be defined
of the concept similarised. It as the transfer of the quality of human
beings to things that are non-human. In a
is introduced by ‘like’, ‘as’,
nutshell, we make them into human beings
‘as…as’, so etc., for examples:
(a) And then this yam like a giant wrestler and give them human attributes, e.g.
with legs. (a) But anxiety went on.
(b) Like nurses in a ward. (b) Let the floods clap their hands.
(c) Curses are like chickens. They come
(c) Your time is heavy, night…
home to roost.
(d) Confusion heard his voice.
(d) Her cheeks appear as the dawn of the
day. (e) Its louder shrieks to heaven are cast.
9. Synopsis: This is a summary version of a
(e) His blue shirt blows in the breeze like a
literary work. This is usually very short. This
tattered kite.
can be read so as to have a proper
7. Metaphor: Metaphor is a figure of
speech also founded on resemblance,
understanding of the extended version, that is, words or statements are made in the same
as an aid to the original version. sentence. It’s used to arrest attention by
drawing a sharp contrast between two equal
10. Antithesis: Antithesis is the figure of speech or opposing ideas,
in which a striking opposition or contrasted
as in: (c) The ignorants condemn learning, while the
(a) Speech is silver; silence is golden learned condemn ignorance
(b) God made the country, man made the
town.
(d) Man proposes, God disposes.
 (e) To err is human, to forgive is divine. events are presented in a pleasant way. In
11. Irony: In irony, language is employed to give
this case, an ugly or ridiculous event is
an impression to that which result from a literal reported in a mild or soft manner. e.g.
interpretation of words. It is also a device by (a) We discovered it was a fairy tale.
which a writer expresses a meaning which (b) He passed away on his bed this
appear contrary to the stated or ostensible one.
morning.
It is the reversal of meaning. Examples of irony
are: (c) The girl was put in the family way.
(a) Charles is so brilliant that he passed one (d) Hunter has passed on to the land of
subject out of his nine papers. our silent fathers.
(b) The leader enjoyed the reputation of (e)She used to be a lady of easy virtue.
being 14. Onomatopoeia: This is a device in which
the wisest fool in Christendom. the sound suggests the meaning of words or
expressions, because the words are formed
(c) He is such a good keeper that he conceded by imitating the actual sounds associated
ten goals in the first half of the match. with the
(d) Me think I see thee, how thou art so low. thing concerned. It is also referred to as the
sound echoing the sense it portrayed; as in:

12. Paradox: Paradox is a figure of speech in

(a) The booming of the gun.
which truth is conveyed under the cloak of (b) Tick tack says the clock.
apparent absurdity or contradiction. A paradox (c) The pattering of the rain on the
is a special kind of epigram. It is also a short buildings.
witty saying, which at first sight seems absurd
and self contradictory, but further consideration (d) The mewing of a cat.
will reveal much truth and sense in it, as in:
(a) The ripest fruit was saddest. (e) The roaring of a lion.
(b) The child is the father of the man. 15. Epigram: This is a brief statement that
(c) Heard melodies are sweet; but those usually introduces an antithetical idea. It closely
unheard are sweeter. resembles a proverb. The epigram may not be
true but the meaning is obvious. It is used to
(d) For whosoever will save his life shall lose express an idea in a concise and memorable
it. way. Epigrammatic statement is terse and direct,
(e) It is not until you see a thing for the and it expresses a worthwhile idea. It is also a
witty or ingenuous saying often having an
hundredth time that you see it for the first
opposing idea in the meaning it reveals, as in:
time.
(a) More haste; less speed.
13. Euphemism: Euphemism is a figure of (b)Speech was given to us to conceal our
speech in which harsh and unpleasant thoughts.
 (c) He never said a foolish thing and never (b) Man returns to the grave as water to
did a wise one. the soil where it came from.
(d)Every poet is a fool; agreed, but not every
fool is a poet.
19. Sarcasm: This, unlike irony, aims at
(e) Know then thyself, presume not God to scan. inflicting pain and deals with fault and
weakness. It is a
16. Pun: This is an expression in which a word sneer method or approach of saying what we
is used in such a way that it is capable of mean instead of saying it openly. e.g.:
exhibiting more than one application. It is also (a) May I offer you some soap and water?
an expression, which has two meanings in spite (Your hands need washing).
of the similar sound in it. This is because the
words have different meanings in the context in
which they were used. It is also an act of playing
on words, e.g.
Not on thy sole, but on the soul, harsh

(b) Your money is safe in a safe.

(c) It is better to be late than to be the late.

(d) Is poor life worth living? That depends on the

liver.
(e)You have dancing shoes with nimble soles:
while I have a soul of lead.
17. An allegory: An allegory is an extended
comparison. It may be regarded as a sustained
metaphor. It is generally designed to teach
some abstract truth, as in:

(a) The vultures built in the shadow of their

talons the bloodstained monuments of
tutelage. (b) Much have I travelled in the
realms of gods, and many godly states and
kingdoms seen.

18. Analogy: Analogy is another form of

comparison, but expressed more formally and
deliberately than either simile or metaphor.
e.g.: (a) As the waves make towards the
pebble shore, so do our minutes hasten to
their end.
 (b) Brutus is an honourable man. (The Examples of apostrophe are:
speaker's intention is that Brutus is not (a) Treachery! thou art woman.
an honourable man). (b) O! loving hate.
(c) Verily, ye are the people and (c) Milton! thou shouldn't be living at this
wisdom shall die with you. (The hour.
speaker's intention is that the people (d) Ye gods, ye gods, must I endure this?
are senseless). (e) Sweet auturn! loviest village of pain.

22. Metonymy: Metonymy is the representation

20. Innuendo: This is a mild kind of of one thing by something closely associated
sarcasm. It is an act of passing an with it. e.g.
unpleasant remark. In this case, the (a) A beaker full of the warm south.
listeners understand the intention of the (b) Law and the state.
speaker more than what he expresses. (c) The pulpit should be very careful of what
e.g.: they do, so that they should not lead the
pew astray.
 He has had three fatal illnesses this year.
(He is always imagining himself to be (d) Sceptre and crown shall tumble down.
dangerously ill) (e) The crown is supreme.

 The labourer works like a mechanical 23. Synecdoche: Synecdoche is the use of a part
machine ( He works like a robot). to represent a whole or a wh
21. Apostrophe: In apostrophe, an to represent a part. e.g.:
inanimate object or objects, which may not (a)All hands on deck.
be seen physically, are being addressed as if (b) The country grows more prosperous
they understand the message uttered or as if every year.
personally present. It is used when a person, (c) I need more hands to finish this
a lifeless object or some abstraction is assignment
indirectly addressed as though present or as planned.
capable of understanding the speaker's (d) Thousands of eyes gazed on him at the
speech or intention.' occasion.
(e) She controls all the heads in the village.

24. Hyperbole: Hyperbole is the old Greek word for

“exaggeration" or overstatement. A writer sometimes tries to find the most

exaggerated ways of saying things. To (a)l have been there a thousand times.
some extent, such statements are not (b) He merely died of laughter.
true; nevertheless, they serve the (c) The jilted bride wept floods of tears.
purpose of conveying the writer's feeling (d) I greeted him with a thousand
or thought. e.g.: thanks.
25. Litotes/Meiosis: Litotes is a figure of (b) She cried all night on her
speech that involves using an sleepless pillow, (c) She stood in tears
understatement or double negative to amidst the alien corn.
convey a meaning that is opposite of what (d) He walked the weary street as if he

5
the words literally say. Here are some was going to die.
examples:
28. Syllepsis: Syllepsis is the use of one
word in two different senses, usually one is
1. "He's not the brightest bulb in the box."
used literally and
(meaning he's not very intelligent)
2. "I'm not exactly swimming in money."
(meaning I don't have much money)
(a) That beautiful girl stole away
my heart and my money.
3. "He's not the most handsome man in the
world." (meaning he's not very handsome) (b) He is so hungry that he wanted
4. "This cake is not bad." (meaning it's to eat up the cook and her food.
actually quite good) (c) The chairman stopped his job
5. "I'm not unfamiliar with this situation." and his future.
(meaning I'm quite familiar with it)
29. Zeugma: Zuegma is virtually
6. "He's not a complete failure." (meaning
identical with syllepsis. In zeugma, two
he's actually quite successful)
objects are brought under a verb or
7. "This restaurant is not a dump." (meaning
adjective. This is done usually for
it's actually quite nice)
purpose of brevity, but sometimes it is
26. Oxymoron: Oxymoron is the placing side by mistake and the result is of poor
by side of two seemingly contradictory words. It
effect. It is always good to avoid it.
is also known as a shrunk paradox e.g.
Examples:
(a) King's too tame are cold fire.
(a) There were more
(b) To some, women are necessary
weeds than grass in the football
evil:
field.
(c) He had a feather of lead.
(d) There are many traitorous friends (b) He goes to the house, to
around. (e) What a sick health! court and eat. (c) He fired the
gun and his gardener.
27. Hypallage or Transferred epithet:
This is the transfer of an epithet from 30. Climax: Climax is the
the term to which it rightly belongs to arrangement of terms or expressions in
another term, to which it does not ascending order of importance, so as to
necessarily belong. Examples:
stress the most important item first.
(a) I have had a busy time.
In other words, it is the highest point in
an ascending series where the forces
 reach their moment of highest of significant importance as seen to be a
concentration. e.g.: prominent feature in human cross, the
(a) I came, I saw, and I conquered. hammer and sickle, the mosque, the flowers,
(b) Some books are to be tasted, others colours, stars and stripes. They often carry
swallowed and few to be chewed and powerful meaning and
digested.
message as in:
31. Symbol: At times, the comparative moves (a) Nor shall my word sleep in hand till we
a step further until we find that something
have built Jerusalem.
which begins perhaps as a simile or a
metaphor, comes to be a reference point in the (b) And the monotonous rhythm of the
message being presented. Symbolism has been paternoster drowned the howling on the
plantains.
32. Apologue: This is a kind of moral fable (a) And thou, Dalhousie, the great
that centres on a heroic animal such as the God of war, Lieutenant Colonel to
various popular fables on tortoise.
the earth of Mar.
33. Anti - climax or Bathos: Bathos is (b) She lost her husband, her
the opposite of climax. Here series of daughter and her wallet.
terms or items are arranged in a (c) His intellect was as dark as his
descending order so that it ends with countenance, he was probably
the least important item. It is the kind of mad.
humorous device and it has been 34. Consonance: This is the repetition of
described as a descent from the sublime middle consonant sounds. It is also the
agreement in sound between two stressed
to the ridiculous, that is, there is a consonant sounds in a line of a poem. e.g.
falling action or thought as in: pitter patter, pitter patter, here comes the rain.
35. Antonomasia: This is a special form of
figure of speech in which the name of a well
known person, place or event is used to
represent some quality which it epitomises
(a) She is the Jezebel of our time.
It is a kind of humorous device and it has (b) Rome may be another Sodom and
been described as a Gomorrah,
epitomises. e.g.
is, there is a fall in action or thought; as in: wallet.
(a) And thou, Dalhousie, the great god of war, (c) His intellect was as dark as his

descent from the sublime to the ridiculous, that (c) Her home is now a Golgotha.
Lieutenant Colonel to the earth of Mar. countenance, he was probably mad.
(b) She lost her husband, her daughter and 36. Alliteration: This is the repetition of initial
her consonant sounds within a line of poem, as in:
(a) God made man, man made money, money
made man mad. (m sound)
(b) Grass rustled restlessly (r sound).
(c) The furrow followed free. (f sound).
(d) Murmuring by myriads. (m sound).
37. Assonance: This is the repetition of vowel
sounds. It is the agreement between stressed
vowels in two words. This may generally take
place at the end of a poetic line. Examples of
assonance are:
(a) Watch your stopwatch
(b) Dream beyond dream
(c) Our echoes roll from soul to soul.
(d) Cheerful chirping in the early day.
(e) The children were playing hop-scotch.

38. Apothegm: This is usually a brief but

emphatic statement. e.g. Love is a game,

39. Ballet: A form of dance that narrates a

story as the dancing progresses. It can also
refer to a kind of elaborate dance by a group of
dancers before the main play.