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Understanding Figurative and Literal Language
What is Figurative Language?
Figurative language is the use of smilies, exaggerations, symbols, rhetorical questions and metaphor within the Bible. The Bible uses figurative language to get its message across in a creative and imaginative way. Jesus often used figurative language in his parables to try and paint the message his is teaching. An example of figurative language is "The Kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed..."
SIMILE - Uses the words "like" or "as" to make a comparison for example:
As heavy as lead
As happy as Larry
Ran like the wind.
METAPHOR – A metaphor makes a comparison by speaking as if one thing is another, thus using the verb "is". For example:
He is a grey hound
She is a princess.
Thus, she is "like" a princess, is a smilie. Whereas, she "is" a princess, is a metaphor.
EXAGGERATION - An exaggeration is a statement that represents something as better or worse than it really is.
SYMBOL- A symbol is a thing that represents or stands for something else, especially a material object representing something abstract.
RHETORICAL QUESTION - A rhetorical question is a question that you ask without expecting an answer. The question might be one that does not have an answer. It might also be one that has an obvious answer by you have asked the question to make a point, to persuade or for literary effect.
What is Literal Language?
Literal language means to interpret the text word for word, avoiding exaggeration or embellishment. In literal language, there is no hidden messages or imagery used, the words mean what their definitions state. For example, in literal language, the sentence, 'it is raining outside' actually means that there are cats and dogs falling from the sky like rain.
Activity One
Below is a table of common phrases that we use in our every day life. Complete the table by explaining the literal and figurative meaning of each expression.
Why is it important to have an understanding between figurative and literal language?
Understanding the difference between figurative and literal language is an important skill for everyone to develop. The reason why this skill is important is because it without we will not be able to determine the true meaning of a text. For example, If we did not recognise that the phrase "It's raining cats and dogs" is a form of figurative language, then many would literally believe that cats and dogs are falling out of the sky. Thus, the core message of the phrase has been misinterpreted. In the a figurative context, the phrase "raining cats and dogs" refers to a storm with winds (dogs) and heavy rain (cats). The term actually derives from the Greek expression cata doxa, which means " contrary to experience or belief." If it is raining cats and dogs, it is raining unusually or unbelievable hard.
To be able to identify the core message of a text, we need to know how to interpret how the create has chosen to express that message, whether it is literally as an accurate factual recount or figurative, through the use of creative stories or expressions.
OOOHHHH NOOOOOOOOO!!! A TEST? WHY MISS? WHYYYYY?
Activity Two
Read Isaiah 53:1-6 'The Suffering Servant'.
In your workbooks, chart words in the scripture passage and examine the literary forms used to describe how the Lord is revealed.
The MEDIA
Find three examples of literary forms found in a newspaper, such as movies reviews, editorials, advertisement, financial reports, sports article and so on. Analyze each of these articles by completing the table below.
Literary Forms in the Bible
Identify each of the following literary forms, using the word list given below.
Fairy Story; Prayer; Poem; Joke; Love Letter; Court Evidence; Lyric; History Book; Letter; Novel
Dear Mum, I am Fine, The food is not so good.
In the 1700’s increased travel brought Europeans into contact with unfamiliar peoples and customs in Asia and the Americas.
Knock, knock! Who’s there?
And then the accused used her handbag to resist arrest in a most physical manner, your honour.
It was a dark and stormy night when the pirate ship appeared on the horizon.
My darling, I miss you so much. My heart trembles when I think of our farewell last weekend.
Once upon a time in a faraway land.
I’d like to make myself believe, that planet earth turns slowly. It’s hard to say that I’d rather stay awake when I’m asleep, cause everything is never as it seems, when I fall asleep.
“If I should die, think only this of me, that there is some corner of a foreign field, that is forever, England.”
Blessed art thou among women; and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus.
CONCLUSION
You cannot judge a song lyric using the rules for writing a novel.
You must appreciate the literary form before you judge the truth or falsehood of the context.
You cannot judge the New or Old Testament by using the rules for writing a modern history.
The Literary form that writers use depends on the purpose of the writing and they type of message they want to convey to the reader.
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