Symbolism/Figurative Language

Literary Symbolism

2 things that are dissimilar. Varied meanings and left up to interpretation

Traditional Symbolism

Used by many people for a long time: white dove = peace/love

Archetypal Symbolism

Universal, recurring patterns or symbols: the hero, the mentor, the quest, etc.

Allegory

An extended symbol: extends across an entire narrative

Allusion

Referencing another external work

Anaphora

Repetition of the same word or phrase at the beginning of successive sentences or clauses

Verbal Irony

When a person says one thing but means the opposite

Situational Irony

When the opposite of what is expected happens

Dramatic Irony

When the audience knows something that the characters do not.

Metonymy

Using the name of one thing to refer to something else associated with it

Oxymoron

Combination of contradictory ideas

Synechdoche

A form of metonymy in which the part represents the whole

1st, 2nd, and 3rd Person POV:

1st: Writer/speaker of the text is talking about themselves

• I and we

2nd: Addresses the reader or listener directly

• You

3rd: Writer/speaker is talking about someone else

• He, She, They, It

Juxtaposition

Two contrasting elements being placed together to emphasize a difference or a surprising similarity