10-27-2010, 12:11 AM
Just to jump in on this discussion a bit, maybe this will help for clarity. Here's a few examples for your reference to determine what you were going for.
Symbolism: Is when you take something and represent it with a symbol. So for example a dove may be placed in a poem as a symbol of peace.
Metaphor: This is when you compare one unlike thing to something else by way of direct comparison (something is something else). Nancy is a pig.
Simile: is when you compare make a similar comparison as a metaphor but soften it a bit using the words "like" or "as".
Nancy is like a pig.
Synecdoche: This is when you use a part of a thing to stand for the total thing. If I called a farmer a redneck that would be an example of a synecdoche. The farmer possesses a neck so that part represents the whole.
Metonymy: Now this is very close to symbolism, with a metonymy you use something to stand for something else, but unlike a synecdoche what you use is not a part of the whole. If I called the same farmer a hayseed that would be a metonymy. Like symbolism with metonymy I could use a scepter to represent the ruling class, or a badge to represent law enforcement.
I know that's a lot but hopefully it will help the dialogue.
Best,
Todd
Symbolism: Is when you take something and represent it with a symbol. So for example a dove may be placed in a poem as a symbol of peace.
Metaphor: This is when you compare one unlike thing to something else by way of direct comparison (something is something else). Nancy is a pig.
Simile: is when you compare make a similar comparison as a metaphor but soften it a bit using the words "like" or "as".
Nancy is like a pig.
Synecdoche: This is when you use a part of a thing to stand for the total thing. If I called a farmer a redneck that would be an example of a synecdoche. The farmer possesses a neck so that part represents the whole.
Metonymy: Now this is very close to symbolism, with a metonymy you use something to stand for something else, but unlike a synecdoche what you use is not a part of the whole. If I called the same farmer a hayseed that would be a metonymy. Like symbolism with metonymy I could use a scepter to represent the ruling class, or a badge to represent law enforcement.
I know that's a lot but hopefully it will help the dialogue.
Best,
Todd
The secret of poetry is cruelty.--Jon Anderson