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Allegory & extended metaphor

Grade 10 · English Language Arts · Free lesson

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An extended metaphor is a comparison between two unlike things that continues across several sentences or paragraphs. An allegory takes this further, using an entire story, characters, and events to represent a deeper moral or political meaning.

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Writers also use devices like irony, sarcasm, and oxymorons to add depth. An oxymoron combines two opposite words, like 'deafening silence,' while a motif is a repeating image or idea that points to a central theme.

MOTIF A repeating symbol that builds a theme!

Irony occurs when the outcome of a situation is the exact opposite of what you expect. Sarcasm is a type of verbal irony used to mock or convey contempt, often by saying the opposite of what is meant.

Expectation: Sunny Day Reality: Rainstorm! (Irony)
✏️ Worked example

Analyze how a writer uses situational irony and an oxymoron to show a character's internal conflict during a peaceful moment.

  1. Identify the oxymoron in the text. Look for two contradictory words placed side-by-side, such as 'painful joy' or 'heavy light.'
  2. Explain how the oxymoron works. For example, 'painful joy' shows that a happy moment also brings sad memories, highlighting inner conflict.
  3. Locate the situational irony. This happens when the actual outcome is the opposite of what we expect, like finding stress in a quiet, peaceful garden.
  4. Analyze the combined effect. The contrast between the calm setting (irony) and the character's mixed emotions (oxymoron) emphasizes that peace cannot be forced.
  5. Summarize your analysis. Explain how these devices work together to reveal that external peace does not guarantee internal happiness.
glowing red heart on railway
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