Literary Tropes
A Short Guide
About This Article
Are you looking to write engaging and powerful stories with maximum effect? Literary tropes can help you do just that.
But what are literary tropes, exactly? In this article, I’ll go into some of the different tropes and how to use them in your writing. I’ll provide examples of their usage in literature, so you can gain an understanding of how to use them yourself.
By the time you’ve finished reading this article, you’ll be ready to use literary tropes in your writing in ways that will help your stories stand out, engage your audience, and make a lasting impact on your readers. So let's dive in!
What are Literary Tropes?
Literary tropes are a set of literary devices and techniques that writers can use to create a set of words or ideas with specific connotations and implications. They come in many forms, such as figures of speech, characters, and stories. They are used to evoke emotions and create an atmosphere.
For instance, in literature, a trope is an identifiable turn of phrase, an image, or a narrative device that conveys meaning beyond its literal definition. Tropes are used to refer to a set of words or ideas that have specific connotations. One of the most commonly known literary tropes is the “hero’s journey.” This trope refers to a story in which a protagonist sets out on a long and difficult journey that ends in a successful outcome.
Tropes are also used to refer to a character or group of characters who have certain common traits. We refer to these characters as archetypes, and examples include the wise old man, the villain, and the hero. By understanding how to recognize these character types, readers are better able to understand the deeper meaning behind a story.
Literary tropes can also refer to a genre of literature. Genres such as fantasy, science fiction, and romance are all characterized by a set of tropes and conventions. By understanding these tropes and conventions, readers are better able to interpret and appreciate a work of literature. This will be a short article where I talk about some of the types of literary tropes and provide a few examples at the end of the article.
Understanding literary tropes is essential to understanding literature. These tropes and figures of speech, characters, and genres can all reveal important details about a literary work. By understanding how to recognize these tropes and conventions, readers will be better able to appreciate the deeper meanings and implications of a work of literature.
01 | Types of Literary Tropes
Literary tropes are figures of speech or literary devices that convey meaning beyond the literal. We commonly use tropes throughout our literature to make a story or text more interesting or meaningful. There are many types of literary tropes, and each one serves a specific purpose.
Metaphor
One of the most common types of literary tropes is metaphor. A metaphor is a comparison of two things not typically associated with one another. Metaphors are used to add depth and richness to the text, as well as to show an alternate way of interpreting a situation. For example, a writer might compare a couple in love to two birds soaring through the clouds. Metaphor is a literary trope that defines comparing two distinct objects without using words like ‘like’ or ‘as’. This comparison draws the reader’s attention to the similarities between the two objects and the relationship between them. Metaphors are typically used to emphasize a point, evoke emotions, or add creativity to a piece of writing.
An example of a metaphor is “The woman’s words were music to his ears”. Here, the author is comparing the woman’s words to music. This metaphor emphasizes the pleasing nature of the woman’s words and helps the reader to better understand the emotions of the characters.
Avoid using clichéd comparisons when using metaphors. Instead, try to create a fresh comparison that helps the reader to better understand your point. By employing this literary trope, you can give your writing more depth, meaning, and emotional resonance.
Symbolism
Symbolism is another type of literary trope. Symbols are used to represent abstract concepts and give the story more complexity. For example, in the classic novel To Kill a Mockingbird, a white mockingbird is used to symbolize innocence. Symbolism is a literary device used to represent an idea or concept through an object, person, or image. It can create deeper meaning and add richness to a story. We can find symbolism in literature of all genres. Common symbols in literature include rain, death, animals, and colors.
Symbols are powerful because they allow readers to interpret the meaning of the story in their own way. They can help to evoke emotion and interpret an author's message. For instance, a book about loss might use rain to symbolize sadness; an animal might represent freedom. The same symbol could have different meanings to different readers, depending on their own experiences and interpretations.
By using symbols, authors can convey information concisely that a wide range of readers can interpret. Symbols can add depth and complexity to literature, allowing readers to engage more deeply with the story. Understanding these symbols is key to understanding a story's message.
Allegory
An allegory is a story or text in which characters, settings, objects, and events symbolize something more. The novel Animal Farm by George Orwell is an allegory of the Russian Revolution. Allegory is an extended metaphor or an extended use of symbolism in order to represent an abstract idea. This literary trope often uses a story to represent a moral lesson or political or religious message. Allegories usually have characters, situations, and settings on which the meaning of the allegory is based. In literature, allegory is used to convey hidden meanings through symbolic characters, objects, and actions. Famous examples of allegory include Animal Farm by George Orwell and The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan. We can also use allegory in visual media, such as in Ridley Scott's film, Blade Runner. By understanding the basics of allegory, readers can gain a greater appreciation of the text they are reading, as well as the meanings behind them.
Alliteration
Alliteration is a type of literary trope in which we repeat the same consonant several times. This often creates a certain rhythm or effect in the text. In the famous line, “Twinkle, twinkle, little star”, the repetition of the “t” sound gives the line a lyrical quality.
Pun
A pun is a wordplay in which a phrase has two meanings. Puns are often humorous, but they can also make a point or create a specific tone in the text. The phrase “It’s raining cats and dogs” is a common pun used to describe a heavy rain.
Irony
We create irony by making a situation or event contradict what readers expect. For example, in the novel Pride and Prejudice, it is ironic that when Mr. Darcy proposes to Elizabeth; she denies him despite her feelings for him.
Simile
The simile is a common literary trope that is used to compare two different objects or concepts. It typically involves the use of words such as “like” or “as” to draw a connection between two unlike things. For instance, a person might describe their cat as “sleek as a panther” or a house as “a palace of splendor”. Similes can convey powerful emotions or provide a vivid description of a scene or setting. They can also evoke powerful images and allow the reader to more closely connect with the story. Similes are a powerful and versatile literary trope, and understanding how to use them effectively can help writers craft a more interesting story.
Personification
Personification is a literary trope that involves attributing human qualities to inanimate objects or ideas. In both poetry and prose, this technique can add life and emotion to a story or poem. Personification is a type of metaphor, as it is the comparison of one thing to another.
One of the most famous examples of personification comes from William Wordsworth's poem, 'The Daffodils': “I wander'd lonely as a cloud/That floats on high o'er vales and hills”. In this poem, Wordsworth has personified the daffodils, comparing them to clouds, thus giving them human qualities such as movement.
We often use personification in literature to create a sense of empathy or emotion in the reader. Personification can also add humor and wit to a narrative. An example of this comes from a Lewis Carroll poem, “The Walrus and The Carpenter.” The time talks of many things: of shoes, and ships and sealing-wax, of cabbages, and kings, and why the sea is boiling hot. Here, Carroll has personified the sea, attributing the emotion of boiling to it.
Personification is a literary trope that, when used effectively, can add life and emotion to a narrative. Whether we use it for fun or to create a deeper understanding of the narrative, personification can be a powerful tool in a writer's arsenal.
02 | Examples of Some Literary Tropes
A literary trope is a common and recognizable literary device used to convey an idea or create a certain atmosphere. The term “trope” originates from the Latin verb tropeare, which means “to turn”. In literature, a trope refers to any figurative language device that is used to help create a certain effect.
One of the most universally recognized literary tropes is the use of metaphor or simile. A metaphor is a comparison that states that one object is another, while a simile is a comparison that states that one object is like another. We often use these devices to explain a complex idea or to emphasize a point. William Shakespeare famously wrote, “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” Here, the metaphor suggests that life is a performance in which everyone has a role to play.
Another common trope is the use of symbols. A symbol is a physical object or action that is used to represent a larger concept or idea. Symbols can create meaning and evoke emotions in a reader. In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel The Scarlet Letter, the letter ‘A’ is used to symbolize the protagonist’s shame and is a powerful symbol of guilt and consequence.
Personification is another type of literary trope where an abstract concept or idea is given human characteristics. This trope is often used to create a vivid image and to help readers better understand an idea. For example, in Walt Whitman’s poem “O Captain! My Captain!”, the speaker personifies death as a captain. Here, the personification of death creates a powerful image of a captain sailing away, suggesting the finality of death.
Finally, irony is a literary trope where a story’s outcome is the opposite of what was expected. Irony is often used to create tension and to surprise readers. For example, in O. Henry’s short story “The Gift of the Magi”, the couple both sell their most prized possessions to buy each other Christmas gifts. Here, the irony is that the gifts are useless without their most prized possessions, creating an unexpected and humorous outcome.
Conclusion
Literary tropes are a powerful tool for writers to express their thoughts and ideas in a unique and meaningful way. They can bring life to your writing and help you convey your message more effectively. They are also a way to show readers a deeper meaning that lies beneath the surface of the text. By learning the different literary tropes and examples of them, writers can use them to their advantage and create beautiful pieces of work. With the right understanding and proper use, these tropes can help make writing more enjoyable while also enhancing its quality.
