FIGURE OF SPEECH Related: NCERT Solutions Chapter 2 - Long Walk to Fr...
FIGURE OF SPEECH in Long Walk to Freedom
- Metaphor: A figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable. Example: "I am the captain of my soul".
- Simile: A figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing with another thing of a different kind, using the words "like" or "as". Example: "The night was as black as coal".
- Personification: A figure of speech in which an inanimate object or abstraction is given human qualities or abilities. Example: "The wind whispered through the trees".
- Hyperbole: A figure of speech in which exaggeration is used for emphasis or effect. Example: "I have told you a million times to clean your room".
- Alliteration: The occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words. Example: "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers".
- Onomatopoeia: The formation of a word from a sound associated with what is named. Example: "The buzzing of the bees".
- Repetition: A literary device that repeats the same words or phrases a few times to make an idea clearer or more memorable. Example: "I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed".
In the autobiography "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela, the author employs various figure of speeches to convey his message effectively. These figures of speech add depth and intensity to his writing, making it more engaging and powerful. Some of the notable figure of speeches used in the book are:
- In Chapter 1, Mandela uses a metaphor to describe how his father was named, stating that he was named "for a purpose", like a ship that is given a name to reflect its destiny.
- In Chapter 2, Mandela uses a simile to describe the prison yard, saying that it was "like a graveyard", emphasizing the oppressive and depressing atmosphere.
- In Chapter 3, Mandela uses personification to describe the conditions in the mine where he worked, stating that the mine "consumed" the lives of the workers.
- In Chapter 4, Mandela uses hyperbole to describe the impact of the Sharpeville massacre, stating that it "changed the course of history".
- In Chapter 5, Mandela uses alliteration to describe the ANC's plans for peaceful resistance, stating that they would use "passive resistance, non-violent protest, and peaceful persuasion".
- In Chapter 6, Mandela uses onomatopoeia to describe the sound of bullets during a police raid, stating that they sounded like "a swarm of bees".
- Throughout the book, Mandela uses repetition to emphasize important points and create a sense of rhythm in his writing. For example, he repeats the phrase "I am prepared to die" several times in his famous speech from the dock, underscoring his commitment to the struggle for freedom.