1. Understanding Figurative Language
AHSGE Objective III-3
Understanding Figurative Language
Julie Mullins-Turner

2. Students, you are encouraged to take notes on this presentation.
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3. Figurative Language
Figurative language is language that has meaning beyond the literal meaning of the words.
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4. Writers use figurative language to establish an image in the reader’s mind and create an association between some element of a passage and something completely unrelated, yet easily understood.
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5. a comparison using the word like or as Examples:
Simile
a comparison using the word like or as
Examples:
Her room was like a pig sty.
Her pillow was as soft as
silk.
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6. a comparison that does not use the word like or as Example:
Metaphor
a comparison that does not use the word like or as
Example:
She is a rock during times of stress.
His thoughts are an inspiration.
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7. Analogy an extended comparison that explains or clarifies an idea
Example:
For some women going shopping is like
men going fishing. The anticipation
and feelings of success, whether from
finding a bargain or catching a fish, are
part of both experiences.
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8. Imagery
sensory language, or descriptive language that appeals to the senses, used to create a vivid mental image
Example:
The sweet smell of baked goods drew the child towards the shiny display case.
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9. Personification
giving an inanimate object, animal, or idea human qualities or abilities
Example:
The wind whispered its secrets to
me.
The tree’s skinny arms swayed in
the wind.
The thunder’s voice rumbled during the storm.
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10. an extravagant exaggeration Example:
Hyperbole
an extravagant exaggeration
Example:
We walked a million miles to the fair.
His shoes were the size of ships.
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11. As you read and analyze figurative language. Keep these things in mind:
The use of the word like or as does not necessarily signal a simile, as for example, in the sentence Jason and Rick are as close as two brothers can be. This is not a simile. Jason and Rick are brothers. No comparison is being made between unlike things.
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12. An analogy is similar to a simile or metaphor, but usually longer and contains details that help explain an idea.
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13. Imagery often contains similes, metaphors, personification, and other forms of figurative language.
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14. by Robert Louis Stevenson
Read the following passage.
excerpt from
The Strange Case of
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
by Robert Louis Stevenson
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15. of a rugged countenance, that was
Mr. Utterson the lawyer was a man
of a rugged countenance, that was
never lighted by a smile; cold, scanty
and embarrassed in discourse;
backward in sentiment; lean, long,
dusty, dreary, and yet somehow
lovable…He was austere with
himself…But he had an approved
tolerance for others…
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16. It is the mark of a modest man to
accept his friendly circle ready-made from
the hands of opportunity; and that was
the lawyer’s way. His friends were those
of his own blood or those whom he had
known the longest; his affections, like ivy,
were the growth of time, they implied no
aptness in the object.
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17. Hence, no doubt, the bond that united him to Mr. Richard Enfield,
his distant kinsman, the well-
known man about town. It was a
nut to crack for many, what these
two could see in each other, or
what subject they could find in
common.
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18. It was reported by those who encountered them in their
Sunday walks, that they said
nothing, looked singularly dull,
and would hail with obvious
relief the appearance of a
friend.
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19. For all that, the two men put the greatest store by these excursions,
counted them the chief jewel of
each week, and not only set aside
occasions of pleasure, but even
resisted the calls of business, that
they might enjoy them
uninterrupted.
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20. rambles that their way led them down a by-street in a
It chanced on one of these
rambles that their way led
them down a by-street in a
busy quarter of London. The
street was small and what is
called quiet, but it drove a
thriving trade on the week-days.
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21. The inhabitants were all doing well, it seemed…Even on a
Sunday when it veiled its more
florid charms and lay
comparatively empty of passage,
the street shone out in contrast to
its dingy neighborhood, like a fire
in a forest;
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22. And with its freshly painted shutters, well-polished
brasses, and general
cleanliness and gaiety of
note, instantly caught and
pleased the eye of the
passenger.
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23. Use the passage to answer each question.
What idea or thing does Stevenson personify in the passage?
A. Discourse
B. Opportunity
C. Blood
D. friendship
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24. What idea or thing does Stevenson personify in the passage?
A. Discourse
B. Opportunity
C. Blood
D. friendship
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25. A. Mr. Utterson made friends easily and quickly.
When Stevenson says Mr. Utterson’s “affections, like ivy, were the growth of time, they implied no aptness in the object,” he actually means.
A. Mr. Utterson made friends easily and
quickly.
B. Mr. Utterson became more likable to
people over time.
C. Mr. Utterson developed close friendships
with people whom he had known for a
long time and who shared his interests.
D. Mr. Utterson’s friendships grew because of
his long association with people not
because of a genuine appreciation.
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26. A. Mr. Utterson made friends easily and quickly.
When Stevenson says Mr. Utterson’s “affections, like ivy, were the growth of time, they implied no aptness in the object,” he actually means.
A. Mr. Utterson made friends easily and
quickly.
B. Mr. Utterson became more likable to
people over time.
C. Mr. Utterson developed close friendships
with people whom he had known for a
long time and who shared his interests.
D. Mr. Utterson’s friendships grew because of
his long association with people not
because of a genuine appreciation.
Julie Mullins-Turner

27. What does Stevenson mean by “It was a nut to crack for many?”
A. It was difficult for many people
to understand.
B. It was a crazy idea.
C. Many people did not accept it.
D. Only someone who knew how to
crack nuts could understand.
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28. What does Stevenson mean by “It was a nut to crack for many?”
A. It was difficult for many people
to understand.
B. It was a crazy idea.
C. Many people did not accept it.
D. Only someone who knew how to
crack nuts could understand.
Julie Mullins-Turner

29. A. Counted up the value of precious gems sold in a week.
Which sentence states the actual meaning of the phrase “counted them the chief jewel of each week” as used in the passage?
A. Counted up the value of precious gems
sold in a week.
B. Considered their walks the most valued
and important event of the week.
C. Counted down the days of the week
until their walks
D. Enjoyed the opportunities that their
walks provided for them to discuss
business
Julie Mullins-Turner

30. A. Counted up the value of precious gems sold in a week.
Which sentence states the actual meaning of the phrase “counted them the chief jewel of each week” as used in the passage?
A. Counted up the value of precious gems
sold in a week.
B. Considered their walks the most valued
and important event of the week.
C. Counted down the days of the week
until their walks
D. Enjoyed the opportunities that their
walks provided for them to discuss
business
Julie Mullins-Turner

31. Who or what is the fire in the phrase, “like a fire in a forest?”
A. A dingy neighborhood
B. A fire in a shop
C. A bustling street of shops
D. Freshly painted shutters
Julie Mullins-Turner

32. Who or what is the fire in the phrase, “like a fire in a forest?”
A. A dingy neighborhood
B. A fire in a shop
C. A bustling street of shops
D. Freshly painted shutters
Julie Mullins-Turner