Overview
This lecture covers five key figures of speech—paradox, personification, rhetorical question, simile, and synecdoche—explaining their definitions and providing examples from literature and scripture.
Paradox
- A paradox is a statement that appears absurd or self-contradictory but reveals truth.
- Example: "Whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."
Personification
- Personification gives human qualities or abilities to inanimate objects or abstract concepts.
- Examples: The Grim Reaper personifies death; “the waters were afraid” in Psalms; wisdom portrayed as a woman in Proverbs.
Rhetorical Question
- A rhetorical question is asked for effect, not requiring an answer.
- Its purpose is to encourage listeners to reflect on the answer, which is often obvious.
- Example: “Is not life more than food?” (Jesus).
Simile
- A simile directly compares two different things using the words "like," "as," or "then."
- Unlike metaphors, similes keep the two things distinct despite their similarities.
- Examples: “He is like a tree planted by streams of water”; “Ogres are like onions.”
Synecdoche
- Synecdoche is when a part of something stands for the whole, or the whole for a part.
- Example: “Wheels” to mean a car; “give us a hand” meaning help; “flesh and blood” meaning people.
- In scripture, a tribe can represent an entire nation (e.g., Ephraim for Israel).
Key Terms & Definitions
- Paradox — a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement that is actually true.
- Personification — giving human qualities to non-human objects or abstract ideas.
- Rhetorical Question — a question asked to produce an effect, not to get an answer.
- Simile — a direct comparison between different things using “like,” “as,” or “then.”
- Synecdoche — a figure of speech where a part represents the whole or vice versa.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review examples of each figure of speech in your reading material.
- Identify and note each type in upcoming assigned texts.