The 5 Best Lesson Plans for Practicing Metaphor and Synecdoche (Literature 10)

I - METAPHOR

Question 1. Read the folk songs (question 1, SGK page 135) and answer:

a. Do you notice that in the above folk verse, words like boat, dock, banyan tree, ferry, etc., not only represent their literal meanings but also carry entirely different symbolic meanings? What are these symbolic meanings?

b. How do the boat-dock (question 1) and banyan tree, old dock, ferry (question 2) differ? How can we understand the hidden meanings of these verses?

Answer:

a. The symbolic meaning is:

- The images of the boat (ferry) and the dock (banyan tree) symbolize the departure of one person and the waiting of another. Thus:

+ Verse (1) represents a vow, a promise, or a commitment to loyalty.

+ Verse (2) represents a lament for breaking a promise due to separation.

b.

- The words boat, dock in verse (1) and banyan tree, old dock, ferry in verse (2) differ, but they are only different in their literal meanings (referring to tangible things).

- In terms of symbolic meaning, they share similar associations (both suggest the idea of one person leaving while another stays). To understand these hidden meanings, we explain that these objects—boat, dock, banyan tree, old dock, ferry—are often closely linked in real life. Therefore, they are used to symbolize "a strong emotional connection" between people. The dock, banyan tree, and old dock represent stability, linking to the image of a woman waiting, longing, and being loyal. In contrast, the boat and ferry, which are in motion, symbolize the man and his departure. By understanding this relationship, we can grasp the true meaning of the folk songs above.

To fully comprehend the hidden meaning in these verses, one needs to understand the implied comparison and identify the similarities between human beings and these objects.

Question 2. Identify and analyze the metaphors in the following excerpts (SGK, question 2, pages 135, 136)

Answer:

a.

Metaphor: pomegranate fire (the pomegranate flower is as red as fire, hence called pomegranate fire). This metaphor vividly describes the vibrant color of the pomegranate tree and symbolizes the intense vitality of nature in the summer.

b.

The metaphor used is: sweet, rich arts, the excess of indulgence, the bitterness of illness, and the weakness of personal emotions. This refers to dreamy, escapist art that doesn’t reflect reality (such as overly sweet art that presents a life of indulgence or the bitterness of disease), and the constrained emotions of those who do not dare innovate and remain in the same old routines.

c.

"Drop": the sound of the bird’s song, symbolizing the vitality of spring.

d.

"Waterfall": the obstacles on the way (representing the difficulties and challenges on the revolutionary path); "our boat": the revolutionary movement. The entire sentence means that despite the many challenges in the revolutionary journey, the national revolution will continue steadily.

e. "Ephemeral": a type of insect that lives briefly, symbolizing a transient and useless life.

"Fertile soil": an image representing what is valuable and makes life thrive. This metaphor reflects the poet's journey after the revolution.

Effect: It helps to make the poet’s journey after the revolution more vivid.

Question 3. Observe a familiar object, relate it to another object with similar features, and create a metaphorical sentence.

Answer:

- Oh, how the river seems to sparkle like crisp sunshine after the rain, like a broken dream reunited (Nguyen Tuan).

- Deviating from the Party's principles leads to falling into the mire of bourgeois individualism (Truong Chinh).

II - METONYMY

Question 1. Read and answer the following questions (section 1, SGK pages 136, 137)

a. What do the phrases "green head," "rosy cheeks" mean, and which character in the Tale of Kieu do they refer to? Similarly, what groups of people in society are referred to by "brown robe" and "blue robe" in Tố Hữu’s writing?

b. How do we understand an object when the poet changes its name?

Answer:

a. The phrases "green head" and "rosy cheeks" refer to young people, particularly young women in feudal society. These are substitutes for the character Thuy Kieu in the story.

- "Brown robe" refers to peasants in rural areas, while "blue robe" refers to workers in urban areas.

b. To understand the object when the poet changes its name, one must rely on the close relationship (proximity) between the two phenomena.

The proximity in the above cases is:

- The relationship between part and whole, such as "green head" and "rosy cheeks" with the body.

- The relationship between the outer and inner, like "brown robe" and "blue robe" with the person wearing the robe.

Question 2. Read the poem by Nguyen Binh and answer the questions (section 2, SGK page 137)

a. The poem above contains both metonymy and metaphor. How would you distinguish these two rhetorical devices?

b. Both express longing for a lover, but how do the verses from Thôn Đoài and Thuyền ơi differ in expressing that longing?

Answer:

a. Both verses contain both rhetorical devices: metaphor and metonymy.

- Metonymy is used in "Thôn Đoài" and "Thôn Đông" to refer to the people of those places (substituting the place for its inhabitants, a relationship between container and content).

- The metaphor is "betel nut" and "areca leaves" to symbolize the love between two people, as they are used in weddings, representing the romantic relationship between lovers.

b. While both verses express longing for a lover, Nguyen Binh’s verse is different from the folk song "Thuyền ơi có nhớ bến chăng" in that Nguyen Binh’s verse uses both metonymy and metaphor. Furthermore, the metaphor in his verse is more subtle, expressing a love that is not yet fully clear.

Question 3. Observe a familiar object or person, use a metaphor or metonymy to write a passage about it.

Answer:

For example: The first storm has passed, the waves are calm, and the sea is still. But the storms in life continue. This is the image of a mother losing her child, a wife losing her husband, and a broken family... The innocent eyes of children look around, confused...

- Waves and sea: Metonymy for life returning to calm after the storm.

- Storm: A metaphor for the destruction, loss, and pain that occur daily.

- The confused eyes of children: Metonymy for children who are too young to understand loss and pain.

I - METAPHOR

Question 1 (Page 135, Literature 10, Volume 1)

a. In the two verses of folk poetry, the words boat, dock, banyan tree, ferryboat, etc., not only refer to real objects in the world (boat, dock, etc.) but also carry entirely different symbolic meanings. The images of boat (ferryboat) and dock (banyan tree) symbolize the departure of one person and the waiting of another. Therefore, the first verse becomes a vow, a promise, a message of loyalty. The second verse expresses regret for breaking the promise.

b. The words boat, dock in the first verse and banyan tree, old dock, ferryboat in the second verse differ in the literal meaning (representing objects), but they are similar in symbolic connotations (both represent the one who departs and the one who stays). To understand this hidden meaning, we typically explain that the objects boat, dock, banyan tree, old dock, ferryboat are interconnected in reality. Therefore, they symbolize human relationships and attachment. The dock, banyan tree, old dock represent stability, suggesting a woman’s waiting, longing, and loyalty. In contrast, the boat, ferryboat, representing movement, symbolize the man’s departure.

Question 2 (Page 135, Literature 10, Volume 1)

a) In the line:

Under the moon, the cuckoo has called the summer,

At the street corner, the pomegranate fire blooms brightly.

The poet Nguyễn Du used two images, the cuckoo and the pomegranate flower, to signify that summer has arrived. Both are signs of the arrival of summer (the cuckoo’s call and the blooming pomegranate are associated with the season). The pomegranate fire also evokes the heat of summer.

b) Discarding the sweet and syrupy, showing off an empty, fleeting joy or the bitterness of illness, and being surrounded by a few petty, contracted emotions. We want novels and poems that can change the reader's life—transforming them, guiding them toward a life once viewed from a distance.

- The phrase 'transforming into a person' is a metaphor based on the process of development. 'To transform' often refers to achieving or becoming something better (from not having to having, from worse to better...). Similarly, the process of human awareness also evolves. Therefore, 'transforming into a person' can be understood as becoming a person who comprehends life accurately.

c) Hey, the chipping bird – Its song echoes the sky – Each dewdrop falls – I reach out my hand to catch it.

- This poem is similar to Nguyễn Du’s two lines. Here, the images of the chipping bird and the falling dewdrop (sparkling drop) symbolize the arrival of spring. This metaphor is built on the link between specific signs and the season.

d) The waterfall, no matter how much it flows, will pass;

The boat will always be afloat on this life.

This verse uses two metaphorical images:

- The waterfall represents difficulties, challenges, and hardships.

- The boat represents the revolutionary path, the nation’s journey.

=> This verse uses metaphors based on real-world associations (waterfall - challenges, boat - overcoming them) to illustrate the vitality and resilience of our nation.

e) The line also contains two metaphors: Floating dust (representing a brief, prominent life) and fertile soil (representing a comfortable, prosperous, and happy life). The metaphor stems from the fact that floating dust has a short life, while fertile soil nourishes crops. By using these two metaphors, poet Chế Lan Viên compares past and present lives, affirming the value and humanity of today’s life.

Question 3 (Page 136, Literature 10, Volume 1)

Examples of sentences using metaphors:

- She angrily shouted: 'You are the type of man who wears skirts!'

- He still sits there. He’s remembering the darkest night of his life.

II - METONYMY

Question 1 (Page 136, Literature 10, Volume 1)

a)

The green head has done no wrong,

The rosy cheeks have yet to fade.

- Poet Nguyễn Du uses 'green head' to refer to youth and 'rosy cheeks' to refer to a beautiful woman. Both terms symbolize Thúy Kiều. Similarly, Tố Hữu uses 'brown coat' and 'green coat' (brown coat linked with green coat – rural areas linked with urban areas rising up) to symbolize two social classes: peasants and workers. In both cases, the poets use body parts (head, cheeks) or familiar clothing (green coat, brown coat) to refer to people, enriching the language and infusing deeper meaning into the expressions.

b) In certain cases, when the author changes the way an object is named, we must pay attention to what has been used to replace the original term. What the author selects is often a part, characteristic, or feature that stands out... This substitution method is known as metonymy, which enhances the richness and liveliness of the language.

These examples are cases of metonymy.

Question 2 (Page 136, Literature 10, Volume 1)

Nguyễn Bính wrote:

Thôn Đoài sits reminiscing about Thôn Đông,

The betel nut of Thôn Đoài remembers no village's betel leaf.

- In this verse, the images of Thôn Đoài and Thôn Đông are metonyms representing the people from those villages. The images of betel nut and betel leaf are metaphors representing lovers. The two lines are a playful love confession. Though the literal target is the lover, the way of expressing it in a roundabout, poetic way creates a special charm and attraction for those reading the verse.

- Although both verses express longing for a lover, the verse 'Boat, do you miss the dock?' uses more conventional associations, while Nguyễn Bính’s verse (Thôn Đoài sits reminiscing about Thôn Đông) creates a fresh, delightful metaphor, adding a unique beauty to each line.

Question 3 (Page 136, Literature 10, Volume 1)

Examples of sentences using metonymy:

- His house only has four mouths to feed. Yet he and his wife are always busy, running around.

- By the time people are in their thirties or forties, they already have big houses. Meanwhile, he, over forty, still lives carelessly, sleeping in every morning, sometimes eating a bowl of pho until noon. Afterward, he roams the streets. People say he's a playboy. I don't know; I only know that he’s well-versed in gambling, drinking, and betting. The worst part is his old mother, whose health is failing, yet still carries the burden of supporting this young man.

I. Metaphor

Question 1 (page 135, Literature 10 textbook, Volume 1)

The imagery of the boat, banyan tree, and riverbank carries dual meanings: the literal and the symbolic, representing those who leave and those who stay.

Sentence (1) expresses vows, promises, and messages of loyalty.

Sentence (2) becomes a lament for the broken promise due to the distance.

b. The terms 'boat' and 'riverbank' in sentence (1) and 'banyan tree', 'old riverbank', 'boat' in sentence (2) are different but only in their literal meanings.

However, they evoke similar associations (implying both the person leaving and the one staying).

+ In reality, the boat, riverbank, banyan tree, and boat are interconnected images.

+ These images symbolize the deep, unbreakable bonds between people.

+ They represent stability, evoking thoughts of a woman’s longing and faithfulness.

+ The boat and the ferry: moving, unstable, symbolizing the male figure.

→ Sentence (1) conveys a promise of loyalty and faithfulness, while sentence (2) becomes a sorrowful lament for the broken promise.

Question 2 (page 135, Literature 10 textbook, Volume 1)

a. The metaphorical image: pomegranate flower (bright red like fire). This metaphor vividly describes the brilliance of the pomegranate tree, symbolizing the vibrant life of summer.

b. The metaphor: 'sweet' literature, a sense of complete satisfaction... personal shrinkage. Refers to dreamy, detached literature that doesn't reflect reality, expressing the poor and unimaginative emotions of authors who follow the same old paths.

c. The sound of birds is transformed into 'drops', a tangible presence that can be grasped.

d. The waterfall: a metaphor for the struggles and challenges we face in life.

e. Ephemeral: metaphor for a transient, insignificant life. Alluvial soil: metaphor for valuable things that make life fruitful and bright.

Question 3 (page 136, Literature 10 textbook, Volume 1)

Comparative imagery:

- Human life, like rivers, flows on, fading into oblivion.

- The sun's rays gently descend onto the fresh, tender leaves after last night’s rain.

II. Metonymy

Question 1 (page 136, Literature 10 textbook, Volume 1)

- The imagery of 'green head' and 'rosy cheeks': referring to the youth, women in the ancient feudal society. This phrase specifically refers to Thúy Kiều.

- Brown clothes: refers to rural laborers. Blue clothes: refers to urban workers.

b. To understand the correct referent when the poet changes the name of an object, one must rely on the close relationship between the two phenomena:

- The relationship between part and whole (green head, rosy cheeks - body).

- The relationship between external and internal (brown, blue clothes – the wearer).

Question 2 (page 137, Literature 10 textbook, Volume 1)

These two lines contain both metaphor and metonymy.

- Metonymy: The villages of Đoài and Đông refer to the people of those villages (using a part to stand for the whole).

Metaphor: betel - areca refers to romantic relationships (betel - areca used in weddings).

b. The feeling of longing for a lover in Nguyễn Bính’s poetry involves both metaphor and metonymy. The metaphors in Nguyễn Bính’s poems are more ambiguous, suitable for expressing the uncertain emotional state of love.

Question 3 (page 137, Literature 10 textbook, Volume 1)

The river: often symbolizes human life.

The water: metaphor and metonymy for the heart (waves within the heart).

I. METAPHOR

Question 1 (page 135, Literature 10, Volume 1):

a. The symbolic meaning is:

- The images of the boat (the ferry) and the pier (the banyan tree) together symbolize the departure of one person and the waiting of another. Therefore,

- Sentence (1) becomes a vow, a promise, and a reminder of loyalty.

- Sentence (2) expresses regret over the broken promise of departure.

b. The words boat, pier in sentence (1), and banyan tree, old pier, ferry in sentence (2) differ in content but are similar in symbolic meaning (both refer to the one who leaves and the one who stays). To understand the hidden meaning, we often explain it as follows: The boat, pier, banyan tree, and ferry are objects closely tied together in reality. Thus, they symbolize the close emotional bond between people. The pier, banyan tree, and old pier symbolize stability and are associated with the image of a woman waiting, longing, and loyal. Conversely, the boat and ferry are mobile, symbolizing a man leaving. By understanding this connection, we can fully grasp the hidden meaning behind the given verses.

Question 2 (page 135, Literature 10, Volume 1): Find and analyze the metaphors:

(1) The metaphor of pomegranate fire (the red color of pomegranate flowers resembles fire, so it is called pomegranate fire). This metaphor vividly describes the fiery beauty of the pomegranate tree while conveying the vitality of the summer landscape.

(2) The metaphorical devices used include: the overly sweet, lazy, and poisonous nature of illness, the frailty of emotions, and the reclusive individuals. This refers to a kind of art that escapes reality or fails to capture the essence of it (... overly sweet art that indulges in comfort or the bitterness of illness), and the weak and uninspired emotions of artists who lack creativity and innovation (the reclusive individuals).

(3) The "drop" sound of the cuckoo’s call is like morning dew softly falling, awakening the quiet surroundings.

(4) The "waterfall": obstacles on the path (metaphorically representing challenges in the revolutionary journey); "the boat": the revolutionary boat. The meaning of the sentence is that, despite the difficulties and hardships of the revolution, the national revolutionary cause continues to progress steadily.

(5) The metaphor of ephemeral refers to a type of insect that lives in water for a short time. It symbolizes a meaningless, temporary life, while fertile soil represents a life that is useful and meaningful.

Question 3 (page 135, Literature 10, Volume 1): Examples of sentences using metaphors:

a. It must be raining outside. The drops, each falling softly... the sound is delicate.

b. Annoyed, she shouted: You are the type of man who wears a skirt!

c. Even now, when life is comfortable, he never forgets those dark, difficult days of his youth.

II. METONYMY

Question 1 (page 136, Literature 10, Volume 1):

a. (1) Green head: green hair, referring to a young person.

Pink cheeks: The red glow on a girl's cheeks symbolizes her youthful beauty. In this context, Nguyễn Du uses these terms to refer to the character Thúy Kiều.

(2) Brown clothes: The farmer used to wear brown clothes, representing the rural folk.

Green clothes: The common attire of workers, here representing the working class.

b. When we encounter an object renamed by the author, to fully understand it, we must identify what aspect the author has chosen to replace it. The replacement is often a part, trait, or defining feature. This linguistic method is called metonymy. It enriches and makes the naming of objects or phenomena more dynamic and appealing.

All the above examples are instances of metonymy.

Question 2 (page 137, Literature 10, Volume 1):

a. Nguyễn Bính writes:

The village of Đoài remembers the village of Đông

The areca of Đoài misses the betel of which village?

- The metonymy: The use of "Đoài village" to refer to the people of Đoài, and "Đông village" to refer to the people of Đông (using place names to denote the people from those places).

- The metaphor: "The areca of Đoài misses the betel from no village". The use of areca and betel to represent two people in love, since the relationship between areca and betel is inseparable and symbolizes love, like the bond between two lovers.

b. Both express longing for a lover, but while the folk saying "Boat, do you miss the pier...?" uses somewhat clichéd associations, Nguyễn Bính's poem (The village of Đoài remembers the village of Đông) presents new, refreshing associations. These associations give the verses their unique charm and appeal.

Question 3 (page 137, Literature 10, Volume 1): Examples of sentences using metonymy:

I still vividly remember the first day of high school. The scene that day still stirs my emotions every time I think about it. Behind the school gate, the chairs were neatly arranged, and the stage looked appealing. Soon after, the whole school was covered with the familiar white school uniforms. The flowing Ao Dai dress swayed, captivating everyone to take a second look. The schoolyard buzzed with greetings after the long summer break, before falling silent when the principal started her speech. To this day, I still remember every beat of the drum... its vibrant and solemn rhythm marking the start of the new school year.

I. Metaphor

Question 1 (page 135, Literature 10, Volume 1):

a. The images of the boat, banyan tree, and water’s edge carry dual meanings: the literal one and the symbolic one representing those who depart and those who stay behind.

- Question 1 expresses a vow, a promise, a message of loyalty.

- Question 2 becomes an expression of regret for the “broken promise” after departure.

b. The words boat, dock in Question 1 and banyan tree, old dock, boat in Question 2 differ in their real-life meaning (referring to actual objects).

- To understand this hidden meaning, we explain that:

+ The items boat – dock – banyan tree, old dock – boat are inseparable in real life, so they represent the “close bond” between people.

+ The dock, banyan tree, old dock signify stability in reality, making them symbolic of the woman’s image, her waiting, yearning, and devotion.

+ The boat, the boat that moves freely and unpredictably, represents the man, and thus, his departure.

Question 2 (pages 135-136, Literature 10, Volume 1):

- (1) The metaphorical image: pomegranate blossom (a flower as red as fire)

⇒ This metaphor vividly describes the fiery beauty of the pomegranate tree, evoking the intense vitality of summer.

- (2) The metaphor: sweet-tasting art, the carefree and self-indulgent nature of certain arts...

⇒ It critiques art that is overly imaginative and disconnected from reality, lacking true emotion or creative depth.

- (3) The sound of birds is transformed into droplets

⇒ This illustrates the tangible, graspable nature of sound.

- (4) Waterfall: metaphor for the obstacles and challenges encountered on our life journey.

- (5) Ephemeral: metaphor for a fleeting, insignificant life.

- Fertile soil: metaphor for meaningful, enriching elements that make life fruitful.

Question 3 (page 136, Literature 10, Volume 1):

- Sunbeams slowly descend on the lush green grass.

- The rush of life will place you in the fast-paced world of fame, status, and wealth...

- The air turns chilly as winter approaches.

II. Synecdoche

Question 1 (pages 136-137, Literature 10, Volume 1):

a. In the first passage, both terms are used to refer to the character Thúy Kiều:

+ The phrase “green age” refers to youth.

+ The phrase “rosy cheeks” refers to a beautiful young woman.

- In the second passage, Tố Hữu uses the phrases “brown robe” and “blue robe” to represent two social classes: peasants and workers.

b. To properly understand this substitution, we must pay attention to what the author chooses to replace. Typically, the substitute refers to a part, characteristic, or prominent feature.

- This figurative method, called synecdoche, enriches the language and makes the descriptions more vivid and appealing.

Question 2 (page 137, Literature 10, Volume 1):

a. Synecdoche: the images of Thôn Đoài, Thôn Đông represent the people from those villages.

- Metaphor: the images of betel nut from Thôn Đoài and areca nut from Thôn Đông represent lovers.

⇒ These lines are a playful confession of love.

b. While both express longing for a lover, the phrase “Do boats remember the dock?” uses conventional metaphors, whereas Nguyễn Bính’s “Thôn Đoài remembers Thôn Đông” introduces fresh, delightful imagery, enhancing the appeal and charm of the verse.

- I have a close friend named My. We live near each other and have been friends since childhood. We study together, play together, and share a deep friendship. I call her “Duck” because of her slow, waddling walk. She has long, graceful hair. She’s kind-hearted and always stays by my side when I’m sad, sharing the struggles of life with me. She’s my dearest friend.