Metonymy, Synecdoche, hyperbhola

·                                                                                Metonymy, Synecdoche, hyperbhola

Metonymy is often confused with another figure of speech called synecdoche. They resemble each other but are not the same. Synecdoche refers to a thing by the name of one of its parts. For example, calling a car “a wheel” is a synecdoche. A part of a car i.e. “a wheel” stands for the whole car. In a metonymy, on the other hand, the word we use to describe another thing is closely linked to that particular thing, but is not a part of it. For example, “Crown” which means power or authority is a metonymy.

Metonymy is different from a metaphor. A metaphor draws resemblance between two different things as in “You are sunlight and I moon” – Sun And Moon from Miss Saigon. Sunlight (and moon) and human are two different things without any association but it attempts to describe one thing in terms of another based on a supposed similarity. Metonymy, however, develops relation on the grounds of close associations as in “The White House is concerned about terrorism.” The White House here represents the people who work in it.

We use metonymy frequently in our everyday life. For a better understanding, let us observe a few metonymy examples:

• England decides to keep check on immigration. (England refers to the government.)
• The pen is mightier than the sword. (Pen refers to written words and sword to military force.)
• The Oval Office was busy in work. (“The Oval Office” is a metonymy as it stands for people at work in the office.)
• Let me give you a hand. (Hand means help.)

Example

These lines are taken from “Out, Out” by Robert Frost.

“As he swung toward them holding up the hand
Half in appeal, but half as if to keep
The life from spilling”

In these lines, the expression “The life from spilling” is a metonymy that refers to spilling of blood. It develops a link between life and blood. The loss of too much blood means loss of life.

Hyperbola

Hyperbole (pronounced hahy-pur-buh-lee, not hyper-bowl) is an exaggeration which is obvious, extreme, and intentional. Hyperbole is used in order to stir up a strong emotion or response in the reader. It is important to note, though, that hyperbole should not be taken literally. Rather, it is used to emphasize a certain statement or characteristic.

For example:

That suitcase weighed a ton!

This would mean that the suitcases weighed two thousand pounds! Of course, the person does not mean that the suitcase actually weighed a ton. He is using hyperbole in order to point out the heavy weight.

The word hyperbole is derived from the Greek word hyperbolḗ meaning “over-casting.”

 

 http://literarydevices.net/metonymy/