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To analyze the topic, the researcher uses objective theory. Objective theory is one of four critical theories proposed by M.H. Abrams. This theory emphasizes
the importance of intrinsic elements in creating the meaning of a literary work. Thus, here, the researcher uses objective theory to prove how love of the speakers
is depicted to be more powerful than the love of common people through the employment of figurative language.
B. Focus of the Research
Love cannot be separated from human’s life. Almost every single person
must have experienced this feeling. However, the love experience that is felt by every person might not always be similar. The way they express their love is also
varied. The feeling of love can also be expressed through a written expression medium such as poetry. Love that is expressed in poems usually is more
memorable since it is expressed in complex way. The love expression in poems gives a deep thought and sense to allow the readers to explore it. The sensuous
love that the readers finally understand from the poems may stay longer in their heart and mind since they feel involved in that love. John Donne’s “A
Valediction: Forbidding Mourning” and “The Sun Rising” are two examples of poems that talk about love expression felt by the speakers in sensuous language.
To understand the entire expression in these two poems, there are three aspects that can be analysed. The first problem is the use of versification. It refers
to the use of rhythms, metrics, rhymes, and stanzaic forms in the poems. Versification is a significant element in poetry since it influences the beauty and
the music in the poetry. It is one of the most important tools to create a certain
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feeling in the poems. The second problem identified is the biography of the poet. A poem must have a particular relation to the life of the poet. Therefore, to
understand the love experience in these poems, an analysis toward the John Donne’s personal life needs to be conducted. The third problem is the use of
figurative language. Figurative language is often employed in poems to stimulate the imagination of the readers about the topic that is discussed in the poems.
Through the figurative language, the readers can imagine and feel the love expressed in the poems.
Considering the accessibility of the researcher, it is impossible for the researcher to analyse the entire problems. Therefore, the researcher focuses the
research only on the last problem, i.e. the use of figurative language. The researcher is going to identify and explain the types of figurative language that are
employed in these two poems. After identifying the kinds of figurative language in Donne’s “A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning” and “The Sun Rising”, the
researcher will also observe how the speakers in those two poems express their love toward their lovers. She is going to examine the significance of the figurative
language employment to the speakers’ love expression. Since the employment of figurative language can define the different love expression, the researcher also
aims to compare the love expression that is felt by the speakers and common people.
To achieve the wholesome understanding, the researcher employs objective theory proposed by Abrams. The theory emphasizes the independence of a literary
work. Abrams 1971: 27 argues that objective theory sees the text as an
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“autonomous object”. It is isolated from the influence of the author, universe, and audience. Therefore, to acquire the understanding of the work, the researcher only
needs to analyse the work.
C. Formulation of the Problems
