Question

Identify the figure of speech in the line " My love is like a red red rose"

• A. Simile
• B. Metaphor
• C. Oxymoron
• D. Synecdoche

Answer 1

Answer:

A. Simile

Figure of Speech: Simile

• A simile is a figure of speech that directly compares two different things, usually by employing the words 'like' or 'as'.
• It is used to create a more vivid and imaginative description, highlighting a particular quality of one thing by comparing it to something else that possesses that quality.
• Key Characteristics of a Simile:
  • Direct comparison.
  • Uses connecting words like 'like' or 'as'.
  • Compares two dissimilar things.
• Example Breakdown: In the line "My love is like a red red rose,"
  • 'My love' is the subject being described.
  • 'a red red rose' is the object to which the love is being compared.
  • 'like' is the connecting word that explicitly signals the comparison.
  • The comparison suggests that the love shares qualities with a red rose, such as beauty, passion, freshness, or vibrancy.
• Distinction from Metaphor: A metaphor also compares two unlike things, but it does so indirectly by stating that one thing is another, without using 'like' or 'as'. For example, "My love is a red red rose."
• Relevance in Literature and Exams: Identifying figures of speech is a common topic in English Literature exams, including competitive ones. Understanding similes helps in analyzing poetry, prose, and drama, and in interpreting the author's intent.
• Common Examples of Simile:
  • "He is as brave as a lion."
  • "The clouds were like fluffy cotton balls."
  • "She sings like an angel."