Synecdoche & Metonymy
common device
used in literature
(and in life) which
is a part of
something larger
and which
represents that
larger/whole thing.
or phrase that
takes the place of
the associated
person, place, or
thing; a substitution
or representation
...“You’d better brush up on it if you want to do anything with French girls. I hear
your M. P.’s are very strict. You must be able to toss the word the minute you see
a skirt, and make your date before the guard gets onto you.”
“I suppose French girls haven’t any scruples?” Claude remarked carelessly.
Victor shrugged his narrow shoulders. “I haven’t found that girls have many,
anywhere. When we Canadians were training in England, we all had our week-
end wives. I believe the girls in Crystal Lake used to be more or less fussy,—but
that’s long ago and far away. You won’t have any difficulty.”...
~Willa Cather; "Book IV: The Voyage of the Anchises;" One of Ours
...[Enter FACE, as butler]
FACE. Sir, ha’ you done? 12
Is it a marriage? Perfect?
LOVE. Yes, my brain.
FACE. Off with your ruff and cloak then; be yourself, sir.
SUR. [without.] Down with the door. 16
KAS. [without.] ’Slight, ding 3 it open.
LOVE. [opening the door.] Hold,
Hold, gentlemen, what means this violence? ...
~ Ben Johnson; The Alchemist; Act V., Scene V
For Heinrich Blucher and Hannah Arendt
Composed in the Tower before his execution
These moving verses, and being brought at that time
Painfully to the stake, submitted, declaring thus:
"I implore my God to witness that I have made no crime."
Nor was he forsaken of courage, but the death was horrible,
The sack of gunpowder failing to ignite.
His legs were blistered sticks on which the black sap
Bubbled and burst as he howled for the Kindly Light.
And that was but one, and by no means one of he worst;
Permitted at least his pitiful dignity;
And such as were by made prayers in the name of Christ,
That shall judge all men, for his soul's tranquility.
We move now to outside a German wood.
Three men are there commanded to dig a hole
In which the two Jews are ordered to lie down
And be buried alive by the third, who is a Pole.
Not light from the shrine at Weimar beyond the hill
Nor light from heaven appeared. But he did refuse.
A Luger settled back deeply in its glove.
He was ordered to change places with the Jews.
Much casual death had drained away their souls.
The thick dirt mounted toward the quivering chin.
When only the head was exposed the order came
To dig him out again and to get back in.
No light, no light in the blue Polish eye.
When he finished a riding boot packed down the earth.
The Luger hovered lightly in its glove.
He was shot in the belly and in three hours bled to death.
No prayers or incense rose up in those hours
Which grew to be years, and every day came mute
Ghosts from the ovens, sifting through crisp air,
And settled upon his eyes in a black soot.
~Anthony Hecht; "More Light! More Light!"
Roxanne
you don't have to put on the red light
those days are over
you don't have to sell you body to the night
Roxanne
you don't have to wear that dress tonight
walk the streets for money
you don't care if it's wrong or if it's right
Roxanne
You don't have to put on the red light
I loved you since I knew you
I wouldn't talk down to you
I have to tell you just how I feel
I won't share you with another boy
I know my mind is made up
so put away your makeup
told you once I won't tell you again
It's a bad way
Roxanne
you don't have to put on the red light
Roxanne
you don't have to put on the red light
The Police; "Roxanne"
Is someone you know a brain? Does your mate refer to his car as his
wheels? Listen today to people speak. Or watch (ugh) commercials.
The parts are there, representing the whole. Now freshen up one
part, making it stand for the whole entity you want to show: the
gumshoe, the skirt, the hired gun....
Think about what the you wish to represent. What is that person,
place, or thing associated with that is undeniable well known as
representative?
Describe the thing you wish to represent.
Make a list of all that could easily be associated with it. Erase your
original description. Replace with an association from your list.
BYU
Dirk Vanderbeek: Of Parts and Wholes...
Wikipedia
Worldwide Words
BYU
The Internet Semiotics Encyclopedia
Wikipedia
Worldwide Words
art in the RoxanneWrites HOME page for art credits section.
