Words can serve to inform or to impress: when they impress, they escape their common usage, being used in connotative language (figurative sense). However, it is not enough just to “decorate” a text to impress, it is essential that the message is improved, becoming more expressive, for this, figures of speech are used.
At language figuresthey are stylistic resources used to enhance the message and, depending on the aspects they “explore”, are called figures of sound, thought, syntax, construction and words. Next, we will emphasize the word pictures, who receive this name for “exploring” the word in its meaning.
Atword picturesthey are represented by metaphor and metonymy. Comparison, as it also explores the meaning of words, can also be included in this category. However, there are some authors who still add to this list the antithesis, the euphemism, the hyperbole, the irony and the prosopopeia. Next, follow the characteristics of metaphor, comparison and metonymy, as the other figures mentioned will be treated here as figures of thought and not of words.
- Comparison and Metaphor:
AtComparation, there is the presence of two elements that, although they do not have a logical relationship, will be compared. This comparison aims to find an element between them that brings them together or that is common to both, this will be demonstrated through the presence ofcomparative elements, among them, we can mention: like, likeetc. However, this will not be achieved through real or common use of words, but by exploring their figurative use. Follow the example:
Rafael is brave as a crab in a can.
It is clear that between Rafael and the crab there is no relationship of meaning that is logical, for obvious reasons, right? However, analyzing it connotatively, that is, figuratively speaking, it is clear that what they have in common is that they are both brave. Okay, we could just say Rafael is angry, but that wouldn't be expressive, wouldn't impress, wouldn't you agree? Therefore, the importance ofword pictures, because they convey the message in a more poetic, more elaborate way.
THEMetaphorit follows the same “reasoning” of the comparison, as it also seeks to find an intersection (something common) between two elements. However, in the metaphor, the comparative term disappears, so the feeling that remains is that there was a fusion between the elements and the two became one. In the image that will be presented below, there is a metaphor, as a man and a shark appear as a single being. This is to demonstrate that there are characteristics in common between them. Because it is in figurative language, there are several possibilities for interpretation, but all of them must guide the characteristics present in the shark, object of "comparison".
“Sharks” meet and position themselves as relentless predators. In this metaphorical contest, it's hard to pinpoint the winner
In summary: THE metaphor and the Comparationthey are semantically similar, as they unite two elements and seek a close relationship between them, but they differ structurally. In metaphor, there is no presence of comparative elements (like, like, etc.). As exemplified by the image of the shark man, it is as if one element were “inside” the other, so there is no need for the comparative element.
- Metonymy:
THE metonymyit is a figure of speech that “explores” the relationship or proximity between words. It happens when one word is replaced by another because there is an "intimate" relationship between them, by this, it is not enough to simply replace the words, it is necessary to seek a relationship of meaning between they. There are several cases of metonymy, below, some examples will be presented:
Everything I buy is with the sweat on my face. (Sweat on the face = work)
"Give us this day our daily bread." (Bread = food)
My friends traveled from Ford. (brand = product)
Our! My dad ate a plate of noodles. (mainland = content)
I love reading Guimarães Rosa. (author = work)
In all of the above examples, one word was substituted for another in order to make the language more expressive. However, note that in all of them there is a clear established meaning..
Tip: To make it easier to learn word pictures, remember that the keyword for the Metaphor é Comparation is for Metonymy é replacement.
Take the opportunity to check out our video lesson related to the subject:
