Year 9 NSW » English Skills » Skills by mode: reading and writing » Required skills and knowledge - language features and techniques » Hyperbole, allusion, symbolism, synechdoche, metonomy

Hyperbole, allusion, symbolism, synechdoche, metonomy

Hyperbole

Hyperbole (pronounced hi-per-boh-lee) is a figure of speech that uses extreme exaggeration. An example of hyperbole is 'Flick won the 100 metre race by a mile'. If taken literally this sentence does not make any sense. Figuratively this sentence means that Flick won the race by a long way. Hyperbole is used by composers to emphasise a point. Look at the following examples and decide whether the literal or the figurative has more impact.

Hyperbole: 'It's been ages since lunch.'
Literal: 'It's been two hours since lunch.'

Hyperbole: 'I'm so hungry I could eat a horse.'
Literal: 'I'm so hungry I could eat a lot.'

Hyperbole: 'There are millions of people at the shopping centre.'
Literal: 'There are lots of people at the shopping centre.'

Allusions and symbolism

Allusion and symbolism are very closely linked to connotation. An allusion is when a composer makes a reference to another text or person within their own text, for example:

'Her date was due to pick her up at any moment, so Rachel rushed through her wardrobe like a white rabbit.'

Example one

This allusion compares Rachel's rushing around to the tardy (late-running) white rabbit from Lewis Carroll's 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'. If you do not know the other text, you may not understand the allusion so the most effective allusions are from well-known, usually classic, texts.

Symbolism, as well as being closely linked to connotation, is also closely linked to context and cultural assumptions. In every cultural context, there are symbols that have meanings for people. In a Christian culture, for example, a cross represents spirituality, in American culture the bald eagle represents American justice, while the tiger might represent the courage and strength of the Wests Rugby League Club or Richmond Australian Rules Football Club.

Symbols can also change meaning according to context. The 'golden arches' logo of McDonald's might symbolise a quick way for a travelling family to have some food. It may symbolise corporate America or exploitation to a group of people concerned about the nutritional value of the food.

Synecdoche

(Pronounced si-NECK-doh-key) This term is a figure of speech whereby the naming of an attribute of a subject is a reference to the whole.

Synecdoche	Explanation
All hands on deck!	'Hands' refers to the crew.
Check out my new wheels, bro.	'Wheels' refers to the entire car.

Metonymy

Metonymy is a figure of speech whereby the naming of an attribute of a subject is a reference to the whole and a concept associated with that whole.

Metonymy	Explanation
The pen is mightier than the sword.	The 'pen' refers to acts written by pen and as such is an attribute of diplomacy and the 'sword' is an attribute of military action.
This is a decision from Canberra.	'Canberra' refers to the capital city of Australia and the concepts associated with it are the actions of politicians.