Figures of combination
- simile
is based upon the similarity of two things which are discovered to possess some feature in common, otherwise being entirely dissimilar. The formal elements of simile are:
● a pair of objects belonging to different classes;
● a connective:
a) conjunctions (like, as, as if, as though, etc.):
He stood immovable like a rock in a torrent. (J.Reed)
I left her laughing. The sound was like a hen having hiccups. (R.Chandler)
b) verbs (to resemble, to seem, to look, to remind, to recollect):
He reminded me some wet unhappy birdie.
c) suffixes (-like, -wise):
…With ape-like fury he was trampling his victim under foot. (R.Stevenson)
The simile contrary to mere logical comparison creates an image. Compare:
Tom is as old as Edward.
Mr. Jones was old like Methuselah.
The simile can be sustained (extended):
London seems to me like some hoary massive underworld, a hoary ponderous inferno. The traffic flows through the rigid gray streets like the rivers of hell through their banks of dry, rocky ash. (D.H.Lawrence)
- play on word
The function of this group is to create comic effect.
● zeugma – the context allows to realize two meanings of the same polysemantic word (or a pair of homonyms) without the repetition of the word itself:
His looks were starched, but his white neckerchief was not… (Ch.Dickens)
He struck off his pension and his head together. (Ch.Dickens)
● semantically false chain – extended context prepares the reader for the realization of a word in one contextual meaning when unexpectedly appears a semantically alien element forcing the second contextual meaning upon the central word. Structurally this figure of speech presents a chain of homogeneous members belonging to non-relating semantic fields but linked to the same kernel which due to them is realized in two of its meanings simultaneously:
A Governess wanted. Must possess knowledge of Rumanian, Russian, Italian, Spanish, German, Music and Mining Engineering. (S.Leacock)
His disease consisted of spots, bed, honey in spoons, tangerine oranges and high temperature. (J.Galsworthy)
● pun creates a comic effect by words similar or identical in their sound form and contrastive in meaning. Unlike zeugma the central word is repeated:
Her nose was sharp, but not so sharp as her voice or the suspiciousness with which she faced Martin. (S.Lewis)
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- Did you hit a woman with a child?
- No, Sir, I hit her with a brick. (T.Smith)
● violation of phraseological units occurs when the bound phraseological meanings of the components of the unit are disregarded and intentionally replaced by their original literal meanings:
Little Jon was born with a silver spoon in his mouth which was rather curly and large. (J.Galsworthy)
The young lady who burst into tears has been put together again. (Ch.Dickens)
The only exercise some women get is running up bills. (Y.Esar)
- periphrasis
names and describes simultaneously: the name of a person or a thing is replaced by a descriptive phrase
the fair sex
the organs of vision
the language of Shakespeare
His studio is probably full of mute evidences of his failure. (M.Joseph)
- euphemism
a kind of periphrasis standing for a concept or thing too unpleasant or too reticent to name it directly:
the Grim Reaper (death)
to join the heaven choir (to die)
- antithesis
juxtaposition of two words, phrases, clauses or sentences contrasted or opposed in meaning in such a way as to give emphasis to contrasting ideas:
…Too brief for our passion, too long for our peace… (G.Byron)
Mrs. Nork had a large home and a small husband. (S.Lewis)
- oxymoron
joins two contradictory words into one syntagme, most frequently attributive or adverbial, less frequently of other patterns:
awfully nice
doomed to liberty (O.Henry)
He shouted silently.
The unreached Paradise of our despair… (G.Byron)
- paradox
a statement or sentiment that appears contradictory to common sense, yet is true in fact:
a well-known secret agent
Wine costs money, blood costs nothing. (B.Shaw)
The best way to resist a temptation is to follow it. (O.Wilde)
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