Interpreting Figurative Language| L-1
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Interpreting Word Meaning: Figurative Language
Figurative
language is language
that makes use of certain devices called figures
of speech. Most of the latter are techniques for
comparing dissimilar objects to achieve effects that
are beyond the range of literal language. These
devices are not limited to any one kind of writing or
speech. We all use them to add color and intensity
to our everyday speech as well as to our writing.
Perhaps the most easily recognized figure of speech
is the simile. A simile is a comparison between two
essentially different items, which is indicated by
a word such as “like” or “as.” For example, when
the 18th-century Scottish poet Robert Burns wrote,
“O, my love is like a red, red rose,” he was using a
simile.
COMPREHENSION SKILLS PR
Level L-1
the other just as in a simile. However, the difference
here is that there is no indication of a relationship
between them; there is no “like” or “as.”
For example, one author uses a metaphor when he
refers to young land springtails as “miniature carbon
copies of the adults.” The author does not intend
these words to mean what they literally appear to
mean. Obviously, young insects are not carbon
copies of anything. But, figuratively speaking, they
are carbon copies; they look exactly like the adult
insects.
Metaphors are not only comparisons of objects
or things. They can also imply relationships
between qualities or actions. Here is an example of
metaphoric language describing an action.
In the figure of speech called a metaphor, two
unlike things are compared by identifying one with
“Now it is a fact that that the insect tribe, not being equipped to function actively in cold
weather, by and large shuts up shop in the fall.”
When the author says that the insects “shut up shop,” he means this in a figurative sense: most insects are
completely inactive during the winter; they do not do anything.
There are other examples of actions that are metaphorically described in the following statements:
1. A bit of thaw, and a snowbank can spring to life.
2. Crane flies have been known to celebrate their nuptial rites on winter days when the
thermometer registered zero.
3. Species survival is the big thing in the insect world and interestingly enough, insects
have been in the business for millions of years.
Personification is a figure of speech that is related to the metaphor. It is the device by which either an
inanimate object or an abstract concept is described as being endowed with human attributes, powers, or
feelings.
For example, to describe winter in New England, the author writes:
When Jack Frost has finally finished his fall paint
job in sylvan New England, Old Man Winter takes
over. Yanking down the shades earlier and earlier in
December, he hauls in great shipments of snow, sets
the thermostat below zero, and locks up the place in a
final frigid fastening of ice. Hiding the key in a snowdrift,
he rushes off to see about illuminating the Northern
Lights. The trouble is that, being busy and forgetful, he
doesn’t remember which snow bank he hid the key in
and naturally can’t find it when he wants it again. So this
is why New England winters are so long.
Here, the personification is twofold:
1. Jack Frost and 2. Old Man Winter
In both cases, a natural phenomenon is personified, and to it human behavior is attributed.
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Interpreting Figurative Language| L-1
Taylor Associates
Interpreting Word Meaning: Figurative Language
COMPREHENSION SKILLS PR
Level L-1
E
Student Name_______________________________________________________________
The following passages tell how legendary ice hockey star Bobby Orr was discovered. Complete the
exercise next to each segment of the story by writing the correct response in the space provided.
1. Pro hockey scouts often spend time scouting the
Bantam Leagues. In 1960 a couple of Boston
Bruin scouts were beating the bushes to find
some good prospects for the future.
The figure of speech used here is
2. They showed up at Canada’s Bantam championships to take a look at a couple of young defense
men who played for the village of Gananoque in
Ontario. But by the end of the first period, they
had eyes only for the blonde-haired kid in the
Parry Sound uniform.
The figure of speech used here is
3. “Do you see what I see?” asked one scout, nudging the other.
The figure of speech used here is:
“I see what you see,” nodded the other, his eyes
wide in appreciation. “Who is he?”
“You got me,” answered the first scout.
.
It refers to:
a. the success the scouts were having.
b. how eagerly the scouts were doing their job.
c. what the scouts had already found.
d. the difficulties the scouts were encountering.
.
It means that the scouts:
a. had been told to look for Bobby.
b. did not believe their eyes.
c. were distressed at what they saw.
d. could not take their eyes off Bobby.
.
It means that the first scout
a. did not understand what was happening.
b. was as appreciative of Bobby’s playing as his friend.
c. would stay to watch the whole game.
d. could not answer his friend’s question.
4. A few minutes later, both scouts found out what
they wanted to know. The kid with the big number
2 on his Parry Sound uniform, who was skating
rings around everyone, was Bobby Orr.
The figure of speech used here is
5. It was, of course, ridiculous to believe that a
skinny, undersized 12-year-old could become
one of the finest players the game had ever seen.
Or was it?
The figure of speech used here as a metaphor for Bobby is
.
Could the little kid from Parry Sound take the
punishment of Junior A hockey? Was he really a
potential superstar instead of just another flash in
the pan?
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Inc.
.
It means that Bobby skated
a. in an unusual pattern.
b. around the other players in such a way as to distract them.
c. better than everyone else.
d. with confidence and ability.
It means someone who
a. enjoys short-lived success.
b. is not consistently good.
c. tries too hard to be good.
d. has no hope of ever being really good.