The two great divisions of composition are prose and poetry. The grand
distinction in form is metre or measure. The chief object of prose is to
instruct, to convince, or to persuade; while the chief object of poetry
is to give pleasure or inspiration. Both kinds of composition employ
figurative or representative language to please, to adorn, to
illustrate, or to explain.
1. An expressed comparison is called a =simile=; as, _He shall be like a
tree planted by the rivers of water. Blue were her eyes as the fairy
flax._
2. An implied comparison is called a =metaphor=; as, _She is an angel.
This news was a dagger to his heart._
3. When the name of one object is put for some other, so related that
one naturally suggests the other, the figure is called =metonymy=; as,
_The pen shall supersede the sword. No man reveres the crown more than I
do._
4. When life and mind are attributed to inanimate objects, the figure is
called =personification=; as, _The mountains looked on Marathon, and
Marathon looked on the sea. The smiling spring comes round once more._
5. When two unlike things are contrasted, that each may appear more
striking, the figure is called =antithesis=; as, _Go or stay, whichever
you will. Success wins attention; failure wins neglect._
6. When the mind is aroused by a contradiction between the form of the
language and the meaning really intended, the figure is called an
=epigram=; as, _The favorite has no friend. Genius is an immense
capacity for taking trouble._
7. When something absent is addressed as if present, the figure is
called =apostrophe=; as, _O, death, where is thy sting?_
8. When the language expresses the contrary of what is meant, the figure
is called =irony=; as, _No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom will
die with you._—_Job._