From the statement above, the writer, conclude that the novelists cannot deal directly to the senses but must play on the imagination and then must
translate the arbitrary symbol of language that has different values for every reader into emotional and rational reactions, which will create the illusion of
sense impressions. Yet he must to be successful evoke a feeling of presence and presentness in the minds of the readers.
C. Meaning of Figurative Language
Language may be need for communication on literal or a figurative level. The descriptive words of figurative language has a meaning in senses
other than the literal, even the words convey precise meaning. Figurative language is the creative manipulation of the phonological, syntactic, semantic,
pragmatic structures of texts, or associations of normal language use, producing ‘extra’ patterning to arrive at vivid expressions and innovative
ideas.
13
One purpose of figurative language is to evoke the qualities of experiences may be indefinite.
14
Actually, many writers use figurative language, whether they know it or not, and in order to read well, we have to recognize it and be aware of its
13
“Figurative Speech,” Encyclopedia of Linguistics, vol. I. New York and Oxon, UK: Fitzroy Dearborn, 2005, p. 335
14
Sylvan Barnet, An Introduction to Literature: Fiction Poetry, Drama New York: Harper Collins College Publishers, 1993 p. 455
effects. Most figurative language has a simple purpose. If compare something that we are writing about to something outside the piece of writing.
Language has a special one characteristic: it has power to evoke in our minds the vivid recollection of our sensory experience, the picture, smells,
tastes, sounds, and touch sensations of our waking life. Language does this when it is concrete, that is, when it is rich in images.
15
Moreover, just like the explanation before, figurative language consists in a comparison between two things, let we say that one is “A” and other is
“B”. Commonly, say “A”, is the one we are saying something about, and the “A” term or primary term denotes the thing to which some other thing is
compared. In figurative language, we say something about A by comparing B. The “B” term secondary term denotes the thing that is compare to A, which
cannot be understood directly, it needs a transfer of meaning. For example in love is blind, ‘love’ is the primary term and ‘blind’ I the secondary term.
16
Basically, a figure of speech is the use of word in a transferred sense. It departs from common literal meaning of a word and gives the word another
meaning.
17
15
Edward P.J. Corbett, The Little Rhetoric Handbook with Readings Dallas: Scott, Foresman and Co., 1969, p. 94
16
Phillip Damon, Language Rhetoric and Style, New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company. 1966, p. 56
17
Corbett, ibid
There are many different types of figurative language, ranging from the repetition of sound alliteration to a semantic and pragmatic contradiction in
co-occuring items oxymoron. Based on some opinions above, the writer concludes that in interpreting
or understanding figure of speech is the mind makes a transfer of meaning based on comparison. Some comparisons in figurative languages are literally
false but they, nevertheless deliver understandable and expressive meaning. After knowing the definition of figurative language, there are many
different types of it. Now, we will discuss about the metaphor meaning.
D. The View of Metaphor
