FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE ANALYSIS IN HARDY’S POEMS “AH ARE YOU DIGGING ON MY GRAVE” AND “THE MAN HE KILLED”

I Made Alit Rismawan Wijaya 0818351076

Abstrak

Jurnal ini berjudul “Figurative Language Analysis in Hardy’s Poems “Ah, Are You digging On My Grave” and “The Man He Killed” yang bertujuan mencari tipe-tipe bahasa figuratif berikut dengan arti. Data diambil dari puisi berjudul “Ah, Are You dIgging On My Grave” and “The Man He Killed” yang diambil dari karya puisi Thomas Hardy.

Metode dan teknik pengambilan data terdiri dari dua tahap. Pertama, data di ambil dari teks puisi dengan membaca seluruh teks dengan baik. Setelah itu, mencari bahasa figuratif apa saja yang ada, tahap ini diikuti dengan mencatat dari data yang di ambil untuk menentukan tipe-tipe bahasa figuratif dan data dipilih berdasarkan dari masalah-masalah yang siap dicantumkan dalam jurnal ini. Teori utama jurnal ini dipakai untuk menganalisa data yang diambil dari buku karya Thomas Hardy (1912), Knickerbocker dan Reninger(1963) untuk menganalisa tema, dan Geoffrey Leech(1974) untuk menganalisa arti konotasi.

Hasil dari jurnal ini menunjukkan enam figure of speech yg didapat dari tiap-tiap puisi, yaitu Irony, Synecdoche, Hyperbole, Metonymy and Personification. Dan juga arti konotasi yang terdiri dalam tiap puisi. Kesimpulan dari jurnal ini adala Puisi karya Thomas Hardy sangat penting untuk dibaca. Penulis menulis karyanya ke pembaca untuk menjelaskan objek dalam tiap-tiap puisi dengan memakai imajinasi lewat bahasa-bahasa figuratif.

BACKGROUND

Language is a means of communication and it cannot be separated from the society. Language is one of human cultures that cannot be separated from life, as it is a part of human behavior. It is used to communicate, to interact to one another and to express one’s feelings. In literature, the language or words, which are used by the writer or poets in their works sound artistically but sometimes ambiguous, and rarely strengthen the meaning.

Literature includes all thoughtful writing about human concerns. It deals with human experience, it treats important ideas, and its wording is often beautiful and exact. Figurative is used in particular way to explore the fake through the known. It is so accustomed to figure of speech in our everyday reading and conversation. It is the best therefore to have kinds of figurative language in mind, add their names to our critical vocabulary. This study was focused on analyzing figurative language that is used in poems, because it is one of the interesting things that by knowing the figure of speech in the poems and explores the deepest meaning in it.

PROBLEM OF THE STUDY

Based on the background as stated above, the problems of research can be formulated as follows:

  • 1.    What kinds of figurative languages are used in Hardy’s poem?

  • 2.    What are the meanings of the figurative language used in the poems?

AIMS OF THE STUDY

The general aim of this writing is to apply the theory that related to the kinds and meaning of figurative language in poetry. The specific aims of this study presented as follows, related to the problems already mentioned.

  • 1.    To describe the kinds of figurative language are used in the Thomas Hardy’s

  • 2.    To explain the meanings of figurative language used in the Thomas Hardy’s poems.

METHOD

Research Method

In doing a scientific research, research method is very important. The method is a procedure to be applied in a research in accordance with the approach used. The success or failure of the analysis depends on how relevant the method being used in the writing. The methodology that is used in doing this research includes the determination of data source, data collection and data analysis as further described below.

Data Source

The data were taken from the poems “Ah, Are You Digging On My Grave” and “The Man He Killed” written by Thomas Hardy. These poems were chosen as the data source because the construction of these poems contains many figurative languages.

Method and Technique of Collecting Data

The method and technique of collecting the data consist of two phases. This method was conducted by reading the selected literary works, especially those about poem in order to get enough information about the relevant data for the topic. The data were collected through selecting the poem, which contains many figurative language. The data also needed to be read thoroughly after being collected, and this was continued by reading the poem itself and taking necessary notes while classifying the data based on the types of figurative language in order to get appropriate information related to the topic. In addition, the collection of some other information about the poet from his biography could help better understanding of the poem, especially that having to do the figurative language.

Method and Technique of analyzing Data

The data was presented descriptively and analyzed based on the theories of figurative language proposed by Knickerbocker and Reninger (1963) and theory of meaning by Leech (1974). In analyzing the data of the poems, the semantic theory written by Geoffrey Leech was used. Based on the theory mentioned in the theoretical framework, the main concern of this paper is to find out the whole meaning of the poems through line by line analysis in order to discover the meanings of the figurative language that used in the poems.

ANALYSIS AND RESULT

The poems “Ah,Are You Digging on My Grave” and “The Man He KIlled” are written by Thomas Hardy. The poem “Ah,Are You Digging on My Grave” consists of six stanzas and each stanza consists of six lines. The poem “The Man He KIlled” consists of five stanzas and each stanza consists of four lines. Before presenting the analysis of the poems it is necessary to present about the life of the poet.

The Poem “Ah Are You Digging On My Grave”

Stanza 1

"Ah, are you digging on my grave, (1)

My loved one? — planting rue?" (2)

— "No: yesterday he went to wed (3)

One of the brightest wealth has bred. (4)

'It cannot hurt her now,' he said, (5)

'That I should not be true.'" (6)

  • a.    Irony

In line 2, “My loved one? — planting rue?"”, this sentence is using figure of speech of irony to describe an expression of sorrow felt by one who lost the dead person. Rue is actually a kind of shrub which is widely known as symbol of sorrow. Planting rue over someone’s grave means we mourned the loss of someone we know quite well or perhaps the one we loved. Initially, the woman seems to feel that her death has caused sorrow for the loved one and that she remains strong in his memory.

  • b.    Synecdoche

In line 4,” One of the brightest wealth has bred”, the poet is using an expression of synecdoche. In real context, there is no way wealth able to breed. The use of word ‘bred’ here is actually describing the man which is woman’s presumably former husband’s wealth has increased. This was indicated by the use of the third-person “he” to refer to the man. The voice explains that the woman’s loved one—perhaps a husband or lover—has married another woman.

Stanza 2

"Then who is digging on my grave, (1)

My nearest dearest kin?" (2)

— "Ah, no: they sit and think, 'What use! (3)

What good will planting flowers produce? (4)

No tendance of her mound can loose (5)

Her spirit from Death's gin.'" (6)

  • a.    Hyperbole

In line 2, “My nearest dearest kin?", the poet using the expression of hyperbole in order to strengthen the meaning of the sentence. The word ‘kin’ itself means family or someone who we know or friend. the word ‘nearest’ is superlative of `near' or `close' which means within the shortest distance.

In line 4, “What good will planting flowers produce”, this sentence is using figure of speech of hyperbole which is describing that what benefit for grieving upon her is. The poet giving some kind exaggeration that flower will something else that its bloom.

In line 5 and 6, “No tendance of her mound can loose — Her spirit from Death's gin”, the poet using the of figure of speech of hyperbole, this sentence is explaining of no matter what kind of actions will not prevent her from. This sentence is also strengthen by previous line, “What good will planting flowers produce?”.

Stanza 3

"But someone digs upon my grave?(1)

My enemy? — prodding sly?" (2)

— "Nay: when she heard you had passed the Gate (3)

That shuts on all flesh soon or late, (4)

She thought you no more worth her hate, (5)

And cares not where you lie. (6)

  • a. Irony

In line 2, “My enemy? — prodding sly?, the poet uses an expression of irony, to describe the woman’s rival who came to the her grave (or that what she thought). The ‘prodding’ itself means to squat down or lean lower. From here, we can imagine that the ‘rival’ comes to her as sign of a ‘mockery’ of her death.

  • b. Personification

In line 3 and 4, "Nay: when she heard you had passed the Gate — That shuts on all flesh soon or late,” the poet using figure of speech of personification. The poet uses the word “the Gate” because he wants to give human sensibilities and human characteristics to the word “Gate”, so this word as if acts like life-like being. the gate described as if its moving on its own and could swallow and devour all flesh ( note; human).

Stanza 4

"Then, who is digging on my grave?(1)

Say — since I have not guessed!"(2)

— "O it is I, my mistress dear,(3)

Your little dog , who still lives near,(4)

And much I hope my movements here (5)

Have not disturbed your rest?"(6) a. Personification

In line 5, “And much I hope my movements here”, this sentence is using figure of speech of personification where the dog says that he hopes that his digging hasn’t bothered her. The poet giving a rather humanic feature to dog where as if the dog’s activity is assumed it was like the human.

  • b.    Synecdoche

In line 6, “Have not disturbed your rest”, this sentence is using figure of speech of synecdoche which describes the state of woman. The poet was using word ‘rest’ as replacement for dead.

Stanza 5

"Ah yes! You dig upon my grave… (1)

Why flashed it not to me (2)

That one true heart was left behind! (3)

What feeling do we ever find (4)

To equal among human kind (5)

A dog's fidelity!" (6)

a. Metonymy

In line 2, “Why flashed it not to me", this sentence is using figure of speech of personification which describes what the woman realize about the one who is digging her grave. The poet uses the word ‘flashed’ to make the reader think like an idea that came to our mind as if it was a flash of light b. Synecdoche

In line 3, “That one true heart was left behind!”, the sentence is using figure of speech of synecdoche. This sentence means that there is still someone who actually cares about the woman even though, she is already dead.

  • c.    Personification

In line 6, ‘A dog's fidelity!", this sentence is using an expression of personification where the dog is is given a rather humane aspect, act of loyal or what we call fidelity. Form here, we can imagine that the woman praising dog’s loyality which she think that its loyality as equal as human being.

Stanza 6

"Mistress, I dug upon your grave (1)

To bury a bone, in case (2)

I should be hungry near this spot (3)

5

When passing on my daily trot.(4)

I am sorry, but I quite forgot (5)

It was your resting place (6)

  • a. Synecdoche

In line 4, “When passing on my daily trot”, this sentence is using figure of speech of synecdoche. The term of ‘daily trot’ is describing the dog’s routine walking activities and the dog constantly stopped at woman’s grave

In line 6, “It was your resting place”, this sentence is using an expression of synecdoche. The words ‘resting place’ is used as replacement of grave, it somehow has ironical meaning, which states that it will be the one’s place to take a rest forever. This sentence is coupling with lines before it where the dog has finally revealed its objective in digging the woman’s grave.

Kinds and Meanings of Figurative Language Found in Poem “The Man He Killed”

Stanza 1

'Had he and I but met (1)

By some old ancient inn,(2)

We should have sat us down to wet (3)

Right many a nipperkin! (4)

  • a. Allusion

In line 3, “We should have sat us down to wet”, this sentence is using an expression of allusion which describes that the man and his enemy would have sat down for a drink and drunk many a glass

In line 4, “Right many a nipperkin!”, this sentence is using figure of speech of allusion which describes a large number of glasses of liquors. The nipperkin is actually an old volumetric measurement which is equal a glass of beer for modern days volumetric measurement.

Stanza 2

'But ranged as infantry,(1)

And staring face to face,(2)

I shot at him as he at me,(3)

And killed him in his place.(4)

  • a.    Metaphor

In line 1, “'But ranged as infantry”, this sentence is using metaphor expression which describes the man’s uneasiness feeling as he meets face to face to his enemy in the battlefield. This sentence is also describing the man’s rank in the military which is the lowest grade. The poet tries to tell that everything changes as they met again in the battlefield where, unfortunately, the man he has met has become his enemy.

  • b.    Simile

In line 3, “I shot at him as he at me”, this sentence is using figure of speech of simile which describes the man’s action as well as his enemy. The poet tries to tell that these two soldiers were on equal footing. It was like a good old-fashioned duel. It also tells us that outcome duel was a total useless. The fact that the man was the one who's still standing was sheer, dumb luck.

Stanza 3

'I shot him dead because –(1)

Because he was my foe,(2)

Just so: my foe of course he was;(3)

That's clear enough; although (4)

  • a.    Irony

In line 3, “Just so: my foe of course he was”, this sentence is using figure of speech of irony Which describes about his reasoning after killing his enemy. The poet tries to tell that the man is still trying to convince himself of why he shot his enemy in war. But all he's really doing here is saying the same thing over and over again these men were not knowing for whom they were fighting, what the war was about, or whose side they each were on

Stanza 4

'He thought he'd 'list, perhaps,(1)

Off-hand like just as I – (2)

Was out of work had sold his traps – (3)

No other reason why.(4)

  • a.    Metaphor

In line 2, “Off-hand like just as I, this sentence is using an expression of metaphor which describes the enemy’s motive to enlist in the military. The poet tries to describe that the man’s enemy was enlisting the military due to lack of money. Here, the man imagines a life for the man he killed, and it wasn't much different from his own.

  • b.    Irony

In line 4, “Was out of work had sold his traps”, this sentence is using an expression of irony which describes that the man that he killed didn’t have much to choice to live but selling all of his belongings, much alike killer. The poet tries to tell that the man’s enemy was unemployed and making him had no choice, but to sell all of his belongings, which is explaining his motives to enlist in the military before.

Stanza 5

'Yes; quaint and curious war is!(1)

You shoot a fellow down(2)

You'd treat if met where any bar is,(3)

Or help to half-a-crown.'(4)

  • a.    Hyperbole

In line 1, “Yes; quaint and curious war is !”, this sentence is using figure of speech of hyperbole which is describes about how the man’s view about the war he gotten into. The man doesn't quite have the vocabulary to talk about what really went down.

  • b.    Synecdoche

In line 4, “help to half-a-crown”, this sentence is using figure of speech of synecdoche where it is what will the man do if the other man was not his enemy. Here, the poet tries to tell that if the man and his enemy had been in different life positions.

CONCLUSION

This study had analyzed and discussed about the kinds and meanings of figurative languages found in Hardy’s poems; “Ah Are You Digging On My Grave” and “The Man He Killed”. Based on the analysis that had been done, there are several conclusions that can be drawn.

There are 6 kinds of figurative language found in the poem; “Ah Are You Digging On My

Grave”. they are Irony, Synecdoche, Hyperbole, Metonymy and Personification. And also, There are 6 kinds of figurative language found in the poem “The Man He Killed”, they are Irony, Allusion, Synecdoche, Simile, Hyperbole, Metaphor.

The use of figurative language has also made the poems sound more beautiful, and the use of such figures also made poems attract the readers . In the construction of this poem, the poet is aware of using figurative languages and it is used intentionally to strengthen the poem’s meaning. The use of figurative language in the poem is to make the sentences more interesting. By figurative language, the readers would get the total idea, the message or what actually the poet wants to convey through sentences figuratively. The poems are literary works which are commonly used to convey a message to the readers. The poems are always using the figurative language, and the words usually contain meanings.

The poems which are used in this study are “Ah Are You Digging On My Grave” and “the Man He Killed”. In the poem of “Ah Are You Digging On My Grave”, There are irony in line 2 and synecdoche in line 4 in the first stanza. In second stanza, there are hyperboles in lines 2,4,5 and 6. In the third stanza, there are irony in line 2 and hyperbole in line 3 and 4. In the fourth stanza, there are personification in line 5 and synecdoche in line 6. In the fifth stanza, there are metonymy in line 2, synecdoche in line 3 and personification in line 6. In the sixth stanza, there are synecdoche in line 4 and 6. In the poem of “the Man He Killed”, there are allusions in line 3 and 4 in the first stanza. In the second stanza, there are metaphor in line 1 and simile in line 3. In the third stanza, there are irony in line 3. In the fourth stanza, there are metaphor in line 2 and irony in line 3. In the fifth stanza, there are hyperbole in line 1 and synecdoche in line 4.

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