When inanimate objects are given characteristics of a human, it is called personification, but I want to know what is the device which gives one object the characteristic of another object, for example: "her voice shattered the silence" now, obviously, voices dont shatter silence, but what is the device that gives it the characteristic?
And, what is symbolism?Thanks!
2007-11-05 03:46:25 · 7 answers · asked by Merry 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
No, its not a metaphor. Metaphor compares 2 nouns, In my case I am talking about verbs and adjectives. There is no indication in the sentence that the "voice" is compared to a rock.
2007-11-05 04:23:06 · update #1
What you are describing is something that Arthur Rimbaud called "a disorganization of the senses." In the example you gave, sound and silence are perceived as a collision of objects: thus something heard is perceived as something seen. This poetic effect is called synesthesia.
Now synesthesia was part and parcel of Symbolism, a late 19th century literary movement that rose to prominence in France. Symbolism was largely a reaction against Naturalism, which was predicated on ideas of realism and "objectivity." For the Symbolists, realism in the arts never seemed real enough; and objectivity seemed as superficial as journalism. Thus the Symbolists tried to revive the individual, visionary imagination: this meant using the entire world of objects and events as "symbols" (or metaphors) for their own creative states of mind. The idea was to suggest the feelings and moods that are at the heart of our consciousness-- essential things which the documentary style of Naturalism could only gloss over or ignore.
If you've a serious interest in Symbolism, I recommend Edmund Wilson's classic study "Axel's Castle." It's a beautifully written book; and it goes into much more elaborate detail than my poor memory can. Good luck with your abstruse studies.
2007-11-05 07:42:12 · answer #1 · answered by Dear Carlos 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Metaphor. When you use like or as, that is a similie. Example: Cool as a cucumber. Her voice broke through the silence like a rock shatters glass.
2007-11-05 03:52:09 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think that the drama of "shattered" makes this other than a declamation. Silence has to be terminated somehow.
Symbolism is where one thing stands in representation of another. e.g. Eagle for the U.S., Lion for the U.K. Swoosh for Nike.
2007-11-05 04:30:38 · answer #3 · answered by picador 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Her voice shattered the silence" I think that is Hyperbole?!
Hyperbole is when a statement is made emphatic by overstatement ! another eg. of hyperbole- "If all the rivers in the world were dry, i would be able to fill it with tears!"
2007-11-05 06:52:57 · answer #4 · answered by Rhia 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
metaphor
2007-11-05 03:51:08 · answer #5 · answered by Goddess of Grammar 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its a metaphor
2007-11-05 04:53:54 · answer #6 · answered by B-MOC 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
metaphor
(Symbolism is something that represents something else.)
2007-11-05 03:50:42 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋