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Comparative techniques represent a common literary device frequently encountered in literature. Yet, amidst your learning journey, you might find yourself wanting to delve deeper into the realm of comparative techniques. Hence, you seek to understand further the essence and effects of comparative techniques within literature. Below, Mytour shares with you the significance of comparative techniques along with specific illustrative examples. Feel free to explore.
I. Understanding Comparative Techniques: Illustrated Examples
1. Defining Comparative Techniques
Comparing is a tool of juxtaposing one thing or event with another similar one to enhance vividness and expressiveness in expression. Comparison stands as the most commonly used literary device in literature throughout history, alongside personification, metaphor, metonymy, and wordplay.
Example 1: The teacher is like a gentle mother.
The comparison employed here is likening the image of “the teacher” to that of “a mother,” as both the teacher and mother are gentle, caring, and nurturing individuals.
Example 2:
“A father's work is like Mount Everest'
Maternal love is like water flowing from a spring” - folk saying.
The comparison here has likened the image of “a father's work” to that of “Mount Everest”, and compared “maternal love” to “water from a spring”. The images being compared share the similarity of grandeur, vastness, and abundance.
2. Signs of the comparison technique
Usually, sentences utilizing the figurative comparison technique will often employ comparison words such as: Like, as, similar to, such as, resembling, as if, as though, etc.
Example: - She is as beautiful as a fairy in the painting.
- The rainbow is like a magical bridge leading us to the world of dreams and hopes.
- Children are like buds on a branch.
Furthermore, you can identify through the content, the meaning conveyed in the sentence. If there are objects in the content of the sentence that share commonality or similarity between them, then that sentence also employs the comparison technique.
Example: - The fishing boat sways gently.
3. Structure of the comparison technique
The complete structure of a comparison technique
Clause A_ aspect of comparison_ comparative term_ clause B
Where:
- Clause A: States the name of the object, event being compared
- Clause B: is the objects, phenomena brought out to compare with the object, phenomena of clause A
- Aspect of comparison: are the words indicating the similarity between both clauses
- Comparative term: Word indicating the comparison (e.g., like, as, similar to, as if, how many, how much,…)
Example: She is as beautiful as a fairy.
- Clause A: She
- Clause B: Fairy
- Comparative aspect: Beautiful
- Comparative term: Like
The comparison technique here compares the image of “she” with “fairy” because both are equally beautiful.
In reality, the above-mentioned structural model can be somewhat modified
- Words indicating the aspect of comparison and the comparative term (abbreviated as comparative word) can be omitted. At this point, the structural model of the comparison technique becomes Clause A_Clause B
Example: “The small fishing boat sways gently”.
- Clause B can be reversed before Clause A along with the comparative term. At this point, the structural model of the comparison technique becomes Comparative term_Clause B, Clause A
Example: Like ants, humans also have to work diligently and strive.
4. Different forms of the comparison technique
Based on the object of comparison
- Comparing this object with others: This is a common way of comparison, using imagery to compare this object with others based on their similarities.
Example: - The night is as dark as ink
- The mountain is as tall as the top of the clouds.
- Comparing objects to humans and vice versa: Comparing objects to humans is based on the similarity of a certain characteristic of the object to a certain trait or quality of humans.
Example: - Children are like buds on a branch.
- The closed door is like a silent person, keeping secrets and listening quietly.
- The river flows endlessly, like time passing in human life.
- Despite what others may say. Our hearts remain steadfast like a tripod.
- Comparing sound to sound: This is also a form of comparison technique like the others, this type of comparison relies on the similarity of characteristics of this sound to that sound.
Example: - The sound of the waterfall and the sounds of the mountains resemble a melodious symphony.
- The sound of the wind rustling is like the sound of falling leaves.
- Comparing this activity to another activity: This comparison technique is used to emphasize objects, phenomena, often used in folk verses and proverbs.
Example: - The black buffalo's steps are like pounding the ground.
- Singing like a nightingale.
Based on the comparative term
- Comparing on equal terms: This type of comparison compares objects, events, phenomena that are similar to each other. Besides showing the similarity between them, this comparison method also helps to illustrate specific parts or characteristics of the object or event more vividly, making it easier for listeners or readers to understand. This form of comparison on equal terms uses words like: Like, as, akin to, such as, as if, resembling, like as, just like, similar to, as if.
Example: - Straight as a horse's gut.
- Strong as an elephant.
- Loving someone as if loving one's own kin.
- Siblings are like hands and feet.
- Comparing in terms of superiority or inferiority (inequality): Comparing in terms of superiority or inferiority, also known as unequal comparison, is a type of comparison that contrasts objects, events, phenomena in terms of superiority or inferiority to highlight the better one. In unequal comparison, words like: Better, worse, more than, less than, greater than, lesser than, not as, not like, unlike, not as much as, not as good as, are often used.
Example: - Giving birth is not the same as nurturing.
- The new phone is better than the old one in terms of specifications.
- The long and beautiful green dress is better than the black one.
II. The Effects of Comparison Technique
Comparison technique is used to highlight a specific aspect of an object or event. Moreover, it has many effects and applications in conveying messages and creating effects in language. Below are some effects of the comparison technique:
- The comparison technique helps create vivid images and provide more detailed descriptions of an object or situation. It helps readers or listeners to easily visualize by associating a new object with a familiar one.
- The comparison technique is a way to enhance expression and convey emotions in language. It can help intensify emotions, strengthen opinions, and highlight differences or important characteristics.
- The comparison technique can be used to explain a complex concept by comparing it to a simpler or more familiar one. This helps clarify the meaning and helps listeners or readers understand more easily.
- Comparison technique is a crucial tool in literature, poetry, and comedy. It helps create humorous effects, expressions, and innovative ideas. Writers and poets often use comparison technique to enrich and creatively enhance their language.
- Comparison technique can evoke memories and leave a profound impression. When a new object is compared to a familiar one, it can help listeners or readers connect with the message and remember it for a longer time.
Above, Mytour has shared with you about the comparison technique in literature, what is the comparison technique? the effects of the comparison technique and illustrative examples. Thus, the comparison technique is an important literary device that helps convey meaning vividly and effectively. Hopefully, with these insights, you will have a better understanding of the comparison technique to contribute to your literary studies. Thank you for your attention and following this article.
