AN ANALYSIS OF FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
USED IN
THE GREAT GATSBY
MOVIE
A THESIS
Submitted as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Bachelor Degreeof English Department Faculty of Arts and Humanities State Islamic
University of SunanAmpel Surabaya
By:
Umar Faruk
Reg. Number : A03212069
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
FACULTY OF ARTSAND HUMANITIES
ABSTRACT
Faruk. Umar. 2017. An Analysis of Fiurative Language Used in The Great Gatsby’s Movie. Thesis, English Department.Faculty of Arts and Humanities.The State Islamic University of SunanAmpel Surabaya.
The Advisor :Dr. Mohammad Kurjum, M.Ag.
Key words : The Figurative Language,TheGreat Gatsby’s Movie.
The Great Gatsby is one of amovie by Buchnan tells about tragic story.This study focuses on types of figurative language found in Buchnan’s The Great Gatsby, and the functions of figurative language found in the Great Gatsby’s Movie by using Kennedy’s theory. The aim of this study is to describe the types and the function of figurative language in Buchnan’s The Great Gatsby. This study uses descriptive qualitative method to describe and analyze types of figurative language in this movie. Next this study also describes about the functions of figurative language used in The Great Gatsby movie. The result of this study istypes of figurative language, there are five data that contain personification, three data of metaphor, ten data contain simile. There are three data that contain Hyperbole, two data of Litotes and one data of paradox. Then, there are two data contains ellipsis, one data of symbol, one data in metonymy and also seven data contain climax and anti-climax.Then, the function of the figurative language, those are to make a beautiful sentence in writing style and as a poetic, then to make ommit the same word and meaning to make a good beautiful sentence in writing a text of literary work and to know the issue of the story in climax and anti-climax used.
INTISARI
Faruk. Umar. 2017. An Analysis of Fiurative Language Used in The Great Gatsby’s Movie. Thesis, English Department.Faculty of Arts and Humanities.The State Islamic University of SunanAmpel Surabaya.
The Advisor :Dr. Mohammad Kurjum, M.Ag.
Key words : The Figurative Language,TheGreat Gatsby’s Movie.
2.1.1. Comparative Figurative Language ... 12
2.1.2. Contradictive Figurative Languagee ...14
2.1.3. Correlative Figurative Language ... 16
2.1.4. Repetitive or Enforcement Figurative Language ... 18
2.2.Previous Study ... 22
CHAPTER III: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 3.1. Research Approach ... 25
3.2. Data Sources ... 26
3.3. Data ... 26
3.4. Data Collections... 26
3.4.1.1. Research Instrument ... 27
3.4.1.2. Data collection techniques ... 27
3.5. Techniques of Data Analysis ... 27
CHAPTER IV: FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION 4.1. Findings ... 29
4.1.1. Figurative language and its meaning ... 29
4.1.1.1 Comparative Figurative Language ... 30
4.1.1.1.1 Personification ... 30
4.1.1.1.2 Metaphor ... 34
4.1.1.1.3 Simile ... 37
4.1.1.2 Contradictive Figurative Language ... 43
4.1.1.2.1Hyperbole ... 44
4.1.1.2.2Litotes ... 46
4.1.1.2.3Paradox ... 47
4.1.1.3 Correlative Figurative Language ... 48
4.1.1.3.1Metonymy ... 48
4.1.1.3.3Ellipsis ... 50
4.1.1.4 Repetitive or Enforcement Figurative Language 52 4.1.1.4.1Climax andanti climax... 52
4.1.2 The functions of figurative language ... 58
4.2. Discussion ...61
CHAPTER V: CONCLUSION 5.1. Conclusion ... 63
5.2. Suggestions ... 64
REFERENCES ... 66
APPENDIX ... xvi
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CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION
This chapter discusses and presents about background of the study,
statement of problem, objective of study, the significance of the study, Scope &
Limitation and Definition of the key terms. All of them will be described and
explained as the following below:
1.1. Background of The Study
Every human who lives in this world is created as a social creature. He
always needs other people in his society to fulfill his social needs. In order to meet
his social needs as a social creature, people have to be able to communicate or
interact with the society. To communicate people needs tools of communication in
which language is one of them. The use of language can have an important role in
our lives, but sometimes we do not pay attention on it. We consider that language is
ordinary thing, so we consider that language is not important. We do not realize its
existence. According to Bloomfield;
Language plays a great part in our life. Perhaps because its familiarity, we rarely observe it, taking it rather for granted, as we do breathing or working.The effects of language are remarkable, and include much of what distinguishes man from animals, but language has no place in our educational program or in the speculations of our philosophers (Bloomfield, 1973: 3).
Language can be defined as a means of communication of human life.
People need language to communicate, to interact and to get information from the
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also to express their ideas, their thoughts and their imaginations, it can be spoken or
written. Written language can be found in the novel, newspaper, poem, and
magazine. Spoken language can be found in the song, movie, speech, and
conversation. As human beings, we cannot separate ourselves from involvement of
social communication and interaction, which certainly makes ourselves impossible
to live without language.
Literature is one way or human beings to express their feeling, thoughts,
experiences, emotions, expectations, and faith. Literature does not have limitation
on how you should do it, although many people think that literature must be
expressed through standard literary work e.g. movie, prose or poetry.Literature is a
kind of art, usually written, that offers pleasure and illumination. It is usually
written, for there is oral literature. (Kennedy. 1983:65).
Literature is the literary product of art, and the language used in literature is
the language which is attractive for reader though sometimes it needs relatively
long time to understand but it usually attracts people for its beauty. But, sometimes
the readersfind difficulties in understanding the meaning of the utterances.
There are many things that the reader do after reading some of literature
works especially movie that has beautifulwords. The writer chooses to deeper in
movie. The writerwill analyze the dialog and word that is usedinthe great gatsby
movie that consist of figurative and the meaning that found in the language based
on its figurative language.
The figurative language can appear in multiple forms with the use of
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forces the readers to attend the connotation rather than the denotation, and good
figurative language is words used non in literal sense but the context of the writer’s
taste and purpose (Rahardianingtyas, 2010: 2). Therefore, in its application,
figurative language is used in many literary works, such as poetry, short story,
drama, novel, song, and movie. Figurative language is using figures of speech to be
more effective, persuasive and impactful. Figures of speech such as metaphors,
similes, allusions go beyond the literal meanings of the words to give the readers
new insights. Finally, according to Abrams(1999: 96), figurative language is a
conspicuous departure from what users of a language apprehend as the standard
meaning of words, or else the standard order of words, in order to achieve some
special meanings or effects.
Here, the writer wants to know the unique value of literary works, especially
in English movie, that well known movie has a message that wants to be presented
for the moviegoers. Movie invites the audiences to come to the new world, new life
as if the viewers’ life there. On the other hand, every single utterance has the own
meaning and contains different messages.
Movie is a form of entertainment that enacts a story by sound and sequence
of images giving the illusion of continuous movement. Movie is one of important
parts of human life.Movie also becomes one of sources of entertainment, education,
and knowledge. As the popular entertainment, it makes man dissolving themselves
in a world of imagination for a certain time and the one important parts of movie is
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Movie has a message that wants to be presented for the moviegoers. Movie
invites the audiences to come to the new world, new life as if the viewers’ life
there. On the other hand, every single word has their own meaning and contains
different messages. The audience should be able to understand what is contained
within that movie.
The writer chooses this analysis becauseit is the interesting part of this film
when a struggle Jay Gatsby to be reunited with Daisy Buchanan, his love lost in
five years earlier. His quest for the American dream leads him from poverty to
wealth, into the arms of his beloved and, eventually, to death.
The Great Gatsby movie is a 2013 Australian epic romantic drama film
based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1925 novel. The film was written and directed by
Baz Luhrmann, and Leonardo Dicaprio as the eponymous Jay Gatsby, with Tobey
Maguire, Carey Mulligan, Joel Edgerton, and Elizabeth Debicki in supporting roles.
This film follows the life and times of millionaire Jay Gatsby and his
neighbor Nick (Maguire), who recounts his encounter with Gatsby at the height of
the Roaring Twenties. The film was originally going to be released to theaters on
December 25, 2012 but was moved to May 10, 2013, to accommodate the film
being shown in 3D.
In his artistic narrative, Fitzgerald employs a figurative language to create
metaphoric representations of his motifs and to enhance and develop his themes.
Beginning with an almost magical Gatsby until the "great" Gatsby. who can
recreate the past much like a magician, Fitzgerald introduces his character
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light on the end of Daisy's pier. Poetically, Nick notes “When I looked once more
for Gatsby he had vanished, and I was alone again in the darkness”. In addition,
with his magical power of dreaming, expressed in such figurative language as this
example “a promise that the rock of the world was founded securely on a fairy's
wing”.
Further, the researcher wants to research this movieGreat Gastby in
figurative language. The descriptions of the types of figurative language are
comparative, contradictive, correlative, and repetititon figurative
language.Comparative figurative language consists of Personification, Metaphor,
and Simile. Contradictive figurative language consists of Hyperbole, Litotes,
Paradox, and Irony. Correlative figurative languages consist of Metonymy,
Synecdoche, Symbol, Allusion, and Ellipsis. Meanwhile repetition figurative
language consists of Pleonasm, Climax, Anti Climax, Rhetoric and Repetition.
This movie is a from Australian epic romantic drama film. It was written
and directed by Baz Luhrmann. So, the writer is interested by analyzingthe
figurative language. In other hand, the movie is easy to understand and there are
many figurative languagesfound in this movie.
The following previous studies are really important to get more qualified in
the research. There are some writers who wrote in the same field.The first review
related to this research, the title is “An Analysis On Figurative Language In
Michael Jackson’s Song Lyric Heal The World” which has been research by
Imro’atul Husna Afriani in 2014, the student of 17 Agustus 1945 University
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Based on her analysis, there are 15 figurative language found in Michael Jackson’s
Songs. In song “Heal The World” (Metaphor, Antithesis, Synecdoche and
Personification). (Afriani, 2014: 30).
The second review related to this research is “The Study on Figurative
Language Used in English Songs in Dewa’s Album“Republik Cinta”” by Endah
Wahyuningsih K in 2007, the student of State Islamic Studies Institute (STAIN)
Salatiga. Based on her opinion, there are 27% figurative languages used in all of
songs. In her research she found: Lover’s Rhapsody (Anaphora, Polisandaton),
Flower in The Desert (Hyperbole, Simile, and Metaphor), and Live On (Hyperbole,
Apophasis, and Synecdoche). (Wahyuningsih, 2007:32).
The third review related to this researchis “The Using of Figurative
Languages in Twilight Movie” by Okta Friantina Rahardianing Tyas in 2010, the
student of State Islamic Studies Institute (STAIN) Salatiga.According to her
opinion, there are 10 figurative languages in this movie; (a). Comparative
Figurative Language (1. Metaphor, 2. Similes, 3. Personification, 4.metonymy), (b).
Imagery Figurative Language (1.symbol, 2.Synecdoche), (c).Contradictory
Figurative Language (1. Paradox, 2.Hyperbole, 3.litotes, 4.irony. (Rahardianing
Tyas, 2010: 81-82).
This research has same themes with the first and the second review related
literature research that is analyzing the figurative language, but the objectives of
this research is not concern to song’s lyrics but then concern with dialogue in the
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In brief, those previous researches indicate difference and similarity. The
difference of those previous research with this thesis is available in the object taken
to be analyzed. In addition, the similarity of those previous researches is available
on the linguistic issue in the research, that is figurative language. Therefore, it can
be summarized that although several previous researches have done the analysis of
figurative language on their object, but this research would like to bring an analysis
of figurative language on one of movie entitled A Great Gatsby byF. Scott
Fitzgerald.
Further, the researcher wants to research this movie The Great Gatsby in
Figurative Language. The descriptions of the types of figurative language are
comparative, contradictive, correlative, and repetitive figurative language. This
movie is from Australian epic drama by Buchnan, the writer is interested to analyze
figurative language. In other hand, the movie is easy to understand and there are
many figurative languagesfound in this movie.
In this research, the researcher analysis scrip in Great Gatsby that consist in
figurative language and explaindetail one by one the types of figurative language
and the functions with Kennedy’s theory. The researcher also used descriptive
qualitative to analyze and the importance of studying figurative language is to
understand what information was delivered on it.
1.2. Problems of The Study
Based on the background of the research, this study is conducted to answer
8
a. What are the types of Figurative Language used in The Great Gatsby
movie?
b. What are the functions of figurative language used in The Great Gatsby
movie?
1.3. Objectives of the Study
As the problems arisen in this thesis, therefore, the purposes of the research
would be:
a. To give description about the types of Figurative language used in The
Great Gatsbymovie.
b. To give description aboutthe functions of figurative language used in The
Great Gatsby movie.
1.4 Significance of the Research
The significance of this research is to enrich the understanding about
language especially in figurative language through movie as The Great Gatsby by
watching this movie and investigate figurative language used in the movie. From
this research we can understand and know how figurative language used and
applied in the text. To study figurative language is very important not only to create
a good text but also to understand movie.
Moreover, the writer hopes this study will contribute for:
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The students can understand and know what is the types of figurative
language, this study also can improve their skill in English especially in
discourse analysis.
2. Other Researchers
This research can be used as reference for other researcher who trying
to conduct the similar research dealing with discourse analysis.
1.5 Scope and Limitationof The Study
Scope and limitation is purposed to make a border of this research. So, the
researcher focuses on the important aspect and also deep conclusion for this
research. The scope and limitation include:
a. Movie
There are many movies that can be found by the different titles in
some movies. But, the researcher focuses on one titles of movie, The
Great Gastby,this movie is one of movie that discusses about love,
and the researcher is very interested and loves this movie because it
is from Australian epic drama and the author is Bucknan.
b. Figurative Language
Any variety of a language characterized by systematic differences in
pronunciation and vocabulary from other varieties of the same
language, especially in figurative language, figurative language is
limited to investigate in The Great Gatsby. Because, the researcher
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movie. It is very important to analyze the movie to understand what
information was delivered on it.
1.6 Definition of Key Terms
In order to give clear definition and as guidance for the readers to
understand the whole study, the definition of key term are given here.
Figurative Language : Figurative language is a deviation from what speakers of language apprehend as the ordinary or standard significance or
sequence of word, in order to achieve some special meaning or effects.There are
four types of figurative language.
Comparative that included into personification, Metaphor, and simile.
Contradictive, those are Hyperbole, Litotes, and Paradox.
Correlative, those are Metonymy, Symbol and Ellipsis.
Repetition, it is climax and anti-climax.
.
The Great Gatsby Movie : The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is the tragic story of Jay Gatsby, who is obsessed with Daisy Buchanan, with whom
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CHAPTER II LITERATURE REVIEW
This chapter reviews several theories related to this research. Those are
definition of figurative language, definition oftype of figurative language, which
types of figurative language are four kinds (comparative, contradictive,
correlative, and repetition figurative language), and definition context related
studies to support the analysis and studies.
2.1Figurative Language
A figurative language or called a figure of speech is a change from the
ordinary manner of expression, using words in other than their literal sense to
enhance the way a thought is expressed. According to Perrine (1963: 58),
figurative language often provides a more effective means of saying what we
mean that does direct statement. Robert Diyanni reveals:
“Language can be classified as either literal or figurative. When we speak literally, we mean exactly what each word conveys; when we use figurative language we mean something other than the actual meaning of the words” (2003: 563).
According to McArthur (2005),The precise definition of a figure of speech
that it has proved to be as difficult as determining the limits of figurative usage.
For centuries, rhetoricians have debated what each presumed figure refers to and
how various figures relate to each other. As a result, metaphor in some
approaches contains metonymy, in others does not, and synecdoche may or may
not be a kind of metaphor or metonymy. As a result, in recent years attempts to
12
the main devices are presented each more or less in isolation, as stylistic equals,
but perhaps with notes on celebrated doubts and ambiguities about their precise
natures and relationships.
Figure of speech may be saidwhenever a writer or speaker, for the sake of
emphasis or freshness, departsfrom the ordinary denotations of wordsfigurative
Language consists of comparative, contradictive, relation and repetition figurative
language. Comparative figurative language consists of Personification, Metaphor,
and Simile. Contradictive figurative language consists of Hyperbole, Litotes,
Paradox, and Irony. Correlative figurative languages consist of Metonymy,
Synecdoche, Symbol, Allusion, and Ellipsis. Meanwhile repetition figurative
language consists of Pleonasm, Climax, Anti Climax, Rhetoric and
Repetition. (Kennedy, 1983: 460) For clearer information, look at these following
explanation.
2.1.1 Comparative Figurative Language
Comparative figurative language consists of personification, metaphor,
and smile.
2.1.1.1Personification
Personification is a figure of speech in imaginative something, which
doesn’t have soul, as though theys have human characteristic.Personification is a
figure of speech in which a thing, an animal, or an abstract term (truth, nature) is
made human. A personification extends throughout this whole short term. A
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disposition, by giving a human quality or trait. (Kennedy: 1983:487). It is meant
that inanimate things in this world are guessed as animate by giving some
attributes in inanimate things. So that people who read it, guess it, can do
everything like human being.
Example: School alarm calls students to enter their classroom.
Calls are verb form in dictionary. Letters is addition in present tense form
because the subject is singular (alarm), alarm is inanimate thing; meanwhile it is
given attribute like activity that is done by animate. Alarm can’t call, because call
is attribute of mouth that can does it.
2.1.1.2 Metaphor
Metaphor is a variety of analogy which compare two things directly, but in
short pattern. Kennedy (1983:482) affirms Metaphor is a statement that one thing
is something else, which, in literal sense, it is not. It not uses connective words
such as like or as. A metaphor is used as a figure of speech to like an object or
person to another object or person, based on certain similar qualities that both
possess. Though a direct comparison, this is a type that is not applicable literally.
The use of metaphors however, intensifies the significance of what is being said.
It is meant that between subject and object have same attributes, and writer uses it
to compares it to another.
Example: Library is science field.
Library is place where people can find many kinds of books, it is
compared with sciencefield, because both library and sciencefield have same
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2.1.1.3 Simile
Simile is comparison which has explicit characteristic,James affirms
(1989:12), Simile is figure of speech in which a likeness between two objects are
directly expressed with the word, as, like, than. A figure of speech is used to draw
a comparison between two objects, persons, or situations, by using the terms like,
as, than. Though similar to a metaphor, the latter is a direct comparison between
the two objects of comparison. It means that they state something similar with
each other directly that use words likes as and like.
Example: Her face is like moon light.
The writer compares face and moonlight, because both of them have same
attribute, so clear, clean, and everybody can sees it clearly.
2.1.2 Contradictive Figurative Language
Contradictive figurative languages consist of: Hyperbole, Litotes, Paradox
andIrony.
2.1.2.1 Hyperbole
Hyperbole or overstatement is figurative language that contain
exaggeration element about something. Hyperbole is such a style that contains an
overstatement to exaggerate things. Deliberate overstatement not intended to be
taken literally; it is used as a means of emphasizing the truth of a statement. This
is relatively rare in Frost. The statement a penchant for fact and truth, not literal
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Tirajoh Frederick (1988: 48) reveals that understatement or hyperbole is an
exaggeration of fact, used for serious or comic effect. It is meant that something is
made greater than the fact.
Example: I was surprised till half-died hear his saying.
The writer explains his surprised till make him die, meanwhile in the fact it
is contrast. He still alive and does not die.
2.1.2.2 Litotes
Litotes is figurative language that contains statement which made smaller
from original. Litotes as a figure of speech consisting of an understatement in
which an affirmative is expressed by negating its opposite. It is meant that people
usually use it to make it simple. So that they are not arrogant because they guess
something invaluable although exactly is so valuable.
Example: I hope you can receive this invaluable giving.
Invaluable thing that writer said in the fact is valuablegiving, but hesays it
as invaluable.
2.1.2.3 Paradox
Paradox is variety of figurative language which has a real contrasted with
a fact. It can be meant all of things that interest because of their truth.Paradox is
apparent self-contradiction or deliberate inconsistency. A statement or situation
containing apparently contradictory or incompatible elements, but on closer
inspection may be true (Kennedy, 1983:488). A paradox is statement that seems at
first glance self-contradictory or opposed to common sense.
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The writer compares sad and happiness in the sentence to explain that
he isn’t happy in the wedding party. Meanwhile most of people feel happy
when they are in wedding party.
2.1.2.4 Irony
The last contradictory figurative language is irony. Perrine (1956: 93).
Irony is a manner of speaking that implies is a discrepancy. If the mask says one
thing and we sense that the writer is in fact saying something else. A disparity
between what is said and what is actually meant can sum up the meaning of irony.
Often used to express humor and sarcasm, irony is another form of figurative
language that enables the truth to be expressed in a subtle, and sometimes, a
blatant manner. A figure of speech when an expression used is the opposite of the
thought in the speaker's mind, thus conveying a meaning that contradicts the
literal definition. Irony has meanings which extend beyond its use merely as a
figure of speech (Kennedy, 1983:13).
It is defined that irony as saving the opposite of what one means, is often
confused with sarcasm and with satire.
Example: He’s clever, that’s why he got 5 in English.
Intrinsically, Clever man normally gets more than 7, if he gets under 6, so
it is opposite from the clever category.
2.1.3 Correlative Figurative Language
Correlative Figurative Languages consist of Metonymy, Synecdoche,
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2.1.3.1 Metonymy
Metonymy is figurative language that uses character or name of thing that
relate to name of person, something as pronoun, uses words to describe another
things closely associated with it.Kennedy affirms metonymy is the name of things
substituted foranother closely associated with it. Metonymy refers to the use of a
phraseassociated to an actual concept of metaphorical in nature are attributed toan
animal. A type of metaphor in which distinct human qualities,
Example: honesty, emotion, volition, object or idea.
Example: Students in our school like to read St. Alisyahbana.
Alisyahbana in the sentence refers to book that he has made.
2.1.3.2 Synecdoche
Synecdoche is figurative language that say name of partial to represent
whole or oppose.
a. Pars pro Toto, partial represent whole.
Example: till evening, I haven’t seen his nose.
His nose in the sentence is meant whole of body that consists of head,
neck, stomach, hands, feet, etc. It is not just nose as because it represents person
as whole.
b. Totem pro parte, whole represent partial.
Example: Indonesia got gold medals in the championship.
Indonesia in the sentence is meant some persons who become winner in a
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2.1.3.3 Symbol
Frederick (1988: 49) reveals that: A symbol is a sign that points to a
meaning beyond itself. In this sense all words and all signs of every kind are
symbols.
Example: When she I loved looked every day, fresh as a rose in June.
2.1.3.4 Allusion
Allusion is a figurative language that show indirectly forwards a person or
event that people have known together.
Example: Many victims caused by Nazi.
Nazi was a military organization that was leaded by Adolf Hitler. This
organization was known as cruel organization. It members might be kill all its
enemies and did not pay attention toward its enemies, women, children, old
people, all were killed by them.
2.1.3.5 Ellipsis
Ellipsis is a figurative language that eliminates word or part of sentence.
Example: She and her mom to Bandung (eliminate verb go).
The sentence eliminate verb in it, because the correct sentence is she and
her mom go to Bandung.
2.1.4Repetitive or Enforcement Figurative Language
Repetitive or Enforcement Figurative Languages consist of Pleonasm,
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2.1.4.1 Pleonasm
Pleonasm is a figurative language that uses words improperly to
emphasize meaning of word.
Example: He falls down to the ground.
The verb falls in the sentence means something or person who rare to the
bottom (ground) and down also has same meaning with falls that rare to the
bottom. So, both words fall and down are force one to another.
2.1.4.2 Climax
Climax is a figurative language that states something from small to
great.
Example: Children’s, teenagers, old people have same right in laws.
Subject in the sentence are consecutively based of age. It begins from
young to old.
2.1.4.3 Anti-Climax
Anti-Climax is opponent of climax figurative language.
Example: Head master, teachers and students have attended in the ceremony
field.
Subject in the sentence are consecutively based of job level. It begins from
senior to the junior level in job.
2.1.4.4 Rhetoric
Rhetoric is a figurative language in question that the answer has known by
questioner.
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The question in the sentence is not needed answer from everybody.
Because everybody knows that the answer is yes and all people want to be happy.
2.1.4.5 Repetition
Repetition is a figurative language that uses repetition word to emphasize
meaning.
Example: Good bye my girls, good bye my sweet heart, good by my angel.
The sentence uses repetition words good bye and just changes the word
after good bye.
2.1.5 The Use of Figurative Language
Based on Perrine (1956: 58), a figurative language often provides a more
effective means of saying what we mean than does direct statement and it has
some reason. First, figurative language affords us imaginative pleasure.
Imagination, in one sense, might be described as that faculty or ability of the mind
that proceeds by sudden leaps from one point to another. Figures of speech are
therefore satisfying in themselves, providing us a source of pleasure in the
exercise of the imagination.
Second, it is a way of bringing additional imagery into verse, of making
the abstract concrete, of making poetry more sensuous. Figurative language is a
way of multiplying the sense appeal of poetry. Third, figures of speech are a way
of adding emotional intensity to otherwise merely informative statements and of
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means of concentration, a way of saying much in brief compass. Like words, they
may be multidimensional.
Figurative language is used by writer to describe something fully and
effectively, it makes the reader more clearly. The difference between literal and
figurative language is that when you speak, read or write literal language. It
includes any word or phrase not to be taken literally. It enhances your wordin
fiction and can be a way of getting an image or straight of that a point.However,
used incorrectly. It is mean Imagery; a word or phrase that relates toreal
experience, helps create a physical experience and adds words for thereader to
literary language. It makes imaginations, finding the likeness incompatible
unrelated things.
Obviously one of the necessary abilities for understanding literature is the
ability to interpret figurative language. Every use figurativelanguage involves a
risk of misinterpretation, though the risk is well worth taking. For the person who
can translate the figure, the dividends are immense. Fortunately, all people have
imagination to some degree, and imagination can be cultivated. By practice one’s
ability to interpret figures of speech can be increased.
Generally, Figurative language is essential in certain types of writingto
convey meaning and expression. It is necessary to explain the exactmeaning in a
vivid, artistic manner and to the point manner to your reader.The writer has a
story to tell and uses figurative language to show everyemotion and feeling on the
paper. The writer's goal, if the writer does notcreate an image in the readers mind,
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language that uses words orexpressions with a meaning that is different from the
literal interpretation. When a writer uses literal language, he or she is. Figurative
language, in comparison, uses exaggerations or alterations to make a particular
linguistic point. It is not only common in poetry but also in prose and nonfiction
writing as well.
2.2 Previous Studies
The writer of this thesis attempts to present several related studies or
researches to this thesis. It is supposed to be a comparison and comprehension to
the knowledge of figurative langauge. Therefore, the previous researches would
be classified in the following below:
The first review related to this research is “An Analysis On Figurative
Language In Michael Jackson’s Song Lyric Heal The World” which has been
research by Imro’atul Husna Afriani in 2014, the student of 17 Agustus 1945
University Banyuwangi.According to her analysis, there are 15 figurative
language found in Michael Jackson’s Songs. In song “Heal The World”
(Metaphor, Antithesis, Synecdoche and Personification). (Afriani, 2014: 30).
The second review related to this research is “The Study on Figurative
Language Used in English Songs in Dewa’s Album“Republik Cinta”” by Endah
Wahyuningsih K in 2007, the student of State Islamic Studies Institute (STAIN)
Salatiga. In her graduating paper, there are 27% figurative languages used in all of
songs. In her research she found: Lover’s Rhapsody (Anaphora, Polisandaton),
Flower in The Desert (Hyperbole, Simile, and Metaphor), and Live On
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The third review related to this research is “The Using of Figurative
Languages in Twilight Movie” by Okta Friantina Rahardianing Tyas in 2010, the
student of State Islamic Studies Institute (STAIN) Salatiga.According to her
analysis, there are 10 figurative languages in this movie; (a). Comparative
Figurative Language (1. Metaphor, 2. Similes, 3. Personification, 4.metonymy),
(b). Imagery Figurative Language (1.symbol, 2.Synecdoche), (c).Contradictory
Figurative Language (1. Paradox, 2.Hyperbole, 3.litotes, 4.irony). The messages
in this twilight is the movie teach us about loyalty and optimistic. (Rahardianing
Tyas, 2010: 81-82).
This research has same theme with the first and the second review related
literature research that is analyzing the figurative language, but the objectives of
this research is not concern to song’s lyrics but then concern with dialogue in the
movie.
In brief, those previous researches indicate difference and similarity. The
difference of those previous research with this thesis is available in the object
taken to be analyzed. In addition, the similarity of those previous researches is
available on the linguistic issue in the research, that is figurative language.
Therefore, it can be summarized that although several previous researches have
done the analysis of figurative language on their object, but this research would
like to bring an analysis of figurative language on one of movie entitled A Great
24
So, in this study, the writer focuses on sentences in script of GreatGatsby
that is included in a figurative language and it will be described detail one by one
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CHAPTER III RESEARCH METHOD
This chapter discussed the method that the researcher used in this research
including research approach, data source,data research instruments, techniques of
data collection and techniques of data analysis. They were discussed below:
3.1 Research Approach
Research is any activities to collect the data, to analyze it, and to presents
the result. It is done in systematic and scientific steps to answer a certain problem.
The kind of research is descriptive qualitative research (Ary, 2006:32). This study
was called descriptive because the data of this study were explained descriptively,
the qualitative research is a research which is analyzed qualitatively, because the
truth can be expressed with some ways without number. Qualitative have some
types based on collecting data, one of them is descriptive qualitative approach in
document or content analysis, this analysis focused on analyzing figurative
language and giving explanation in each point of figurative language that applied in
Movie of The Great Gatsby. In addition, Creswell (1994:1) stated that the
qualitative research is an inquiring the process of understanding a social or a human
problem based on the building a complex, holistic picture, formed of the words,
reporting the detail view of informants and conducted in a natural setting. Bogdan
and Biklen (1998:77) stated that in qualitative research, the human investigator was
26
Therefore, the researcher used descriptive qualitative, because this method
was suitable to analyze figurative language that applied in Movie of The Great
Gatsby. In this study, the researcher conducted a research with descriptive
qualitative research in analyzing content of figurative language that applied in The
Great Gatsby’s Movie. According to the researcher this method was also simple
and easy to use in some of reasons like in method of data collecting, data analysis.
So the researcher used descriptive qualitative and content analysis to analyze
figurative language that applied in The Great Gatsby’s Movie.
The researcher tried to describe every types of figurative language in the
movie that is included in; Comparative, contradictive, correlative and repetition
figurative language. And the analysis explained clearly in the paragraph form.
3.2 Data Source
The data sources of this research was the movie of Great Gatsby by Bucknan.
3.3 Data
The data of this research was focused on words, phrases, clauses, sentences
used in the script of movie that shows Comparative, contradictive, correlative and
repetition that was included in figurative language in the Great Gatsby’s movie.
3.4 Data Collections
To collect the data of data sources, there wereseveral ways, the researcher
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3.4.1 Research Instruments
Based on the early of this chapter, this study used qualitative approach,
the instrument of this study was human. So, the main instrument, Iwas as the
reseacher who gathered and analyzed the data. The supporting instruments
were like personal computer to download some sources of the research, it was
to make an easier in analyzing the data of the research.
3.4.2 Data Collection Techniques
To collect the data from the data sources, the researcher has the steps as
follows:
a. First, the researcher downloaded a movie, The Great Gatsby on
computer and watched it.
b. Second, the researcher downloaded the scripts of the movie and it was
printed
c. Third, the researcher identified, underlined a word, phrase, clause, and
coded some types of figurative language and function. The type of
figurative languageconsists of comparative, contradictive, correlative,
and repetition.
3.5 Techniques of Data Analysis
Related to the statement of the problem, this study used descriptive
qualitative method. The researcher analyzed the data based on types of figurative
28
b. The reseracher classified the data into types of figurative language and
function.
c. The reseracher Described data based on the types of figurative language and
function.
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CHAPTER IV
FINDING AND DISCUSSION
In this chapter, the researcher analyzes the figurative language based on Kennedy’s
theory in The Great Gasby’s Movie. The structure of writing research is presented in two
steps. First, in findings the researcher analyzes the data found based on the research
problems. Second, in discussion section the researcher explains the result of finding.
4.1 Findings
This section present the analysis of the kind of figurative language used in The Great
Gatsby’s Movieand the meaning that appear in his movie. The writer will describe the use of
figurative language in this movie. As explain in chapter II, Figurative language often
provides a more effective means of saying what we mean that does direct statement (Perrine,
1963: 58).
Figurative language itself divided into three big categories: comparative, imagery, and
contradictory figurative language. Analyzing the data from this movie used the theories
which have been explained before. The data were taken from the transcip of movie. The
writer concludes the using of figurative language in the great gatsbymovie.
4.1.1 Figurative language and its meaning
Here is the detail information about the types of figurative language and the meaning
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4.1.1.1Comparative Figurative Language
This figurative language uses comparison to illustrate their literal idea. Usually it
compares two things that are different. This type divided into metaphor, simile,
personification.
4.1.1.1.1Personification
Personification is giving the attributes of a human being to an animal, an object, or an
idea. (Perrine,1992, 612). Personification is a figurative that endows object, animal idea or
abstraction with human character of sensibility. One of the most familiar kinds of comparison
is personification that is speaking something which is not human as human abilities.
Personification is representing a thing, quality, or idea as a person.
Thus, in his research on The Great Gatsby movie, the writer found and explained
sevendata of personification as follows:
Datum 1
NICK: At Yale I dreamed of being a
writer but I gave all that up. With the sun
shining.And the bursts of leaves on the
tress, I planned to spend the summer
studying.
This is the one of dialog of Nick. In his dialog, there is a sentence that shows
personification, we can see from the sentence above that the writer underline. In the underline
31
speaker wants to say that this season is good condition to make plan. He uses the word
“bursts” as poetic to create a beautiful word in his spoken for readers. The function of the
underline sentence is to make corelation meaning between the first sentence and after
sentence. The same thing finds in the next data, we can see below:
Datum 2
NICK : when I arrived home, I notice
that a figure had emerged on my
neighbor’s dock. And something told me
it was Mr. Gatsby. He seemed to be
reaching to ward something out there in
the dark. The green light. I don’t wanna
talk about this, doctor.
The speaker on this dialogue uses the personification. From the word “something”,
something has many meanings. We cannot know exactly. Then we relate to the “Mr. Gtasby”.
We really know that only thing can show noun (Mr.Gatsby). Something is personified as if it
is noun or the thing or the whisper that can show person/noun. This dialogue means that the
speaker feelsthat the whisper (something) is “Mr.Gatsby”. and the function of the sentence
that the writer underlined is to make correlation in meaning between before sentence and
after sentence. Then the next data, the writer finds in other dialogue. We can see more
explanation below:
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TRIMALCHIO: Ladies and gentlemen.
TEDDY: A jazz history of the world and
accompanying fireworks!
JORDAN: Come on Nick.
In this data also still same kind of figurative language. The word “Jazz” is personified
as if a music that can be feels by feeling. Then, we also see the word “fireworks”. The both of
them has correlative meaning, as in party. In this dialogue the speaker wants to invite his
friend to come to his party. It can be known by the sentence that we underline above. The
following datum is same kind of figurative language. The function of this underlined sentence
is to make correlation meaning in order to be understood by readers. See the explanation more
below:
Datum 4
JORDAN: Nick!
Nick!
Nick!
I have just heard the most
shocking thing. Where have
you been?TheCar’s
waiting.
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speaker gives the information that someone is waiting Nick to go. The function of the
underlined sentence is to create the correlation meaning of sentence, to make good
understanding in the reading the text. The next personification finds in the Data 5, see below:
Datum 5
NICK: By the time, we reached the
bridge. I was impossibly confused. I
didn’t know what to think. But the city
seen from the queensboro bridge, is
always the city seen for the first time. In
its first wild promise of all the mystery
and the beauty in the world. Anything
can happen now that we’ve slid over this
bridge, I thought. Anything at all. Even
Gatsby could happen.
In the dialogue above, there is the sentence that is categorized as personification. We
can see the sentence that we make underline. The word “wild” is personified. The “wild
promise” is a way to describe something that is boundless. There is a hope and sense of
optimism in being able to construct reality as one sees it. The hope of what one can be is “a
wild promise” that is not limited by reality that surrounds an individual. In his retelling of his
past to Nick, Gatsby embodies this idea. Nick is able to see this same vision in his sight of
New York. It is moment where “wild” reflect unbounded optimism in the promise of what
34
is offensive to the olfactory sense, lie. And the function of the sentence is to make correlation
meaning.Then the next data is about Metaphor.
4.1.1.1.2Metaphor
Metapor is comparing thing that are essentially unlike (Perrine,1992, 610). Metaphor
is an implied comparison between two unlike things that actually have something important
in common. A metaphor is a comparison in which one thing is said to be another. It involves
an implied comparison between two basically unlike things.
The researcher discovers metaphor of figurative language. The researcher finds three
sentences in The Great Gatsby’s movie. These sentences include in metaphor because it
represent whole of metaphor. The data of metaphor is analyzed below:
Datum 1
NICK: By the time, we reached the
bridge. I was impossibly confused. I
didn’t know what to think. But the city
seen from the queensboro bridge, is
always the city seen for the first time. In
its first wild promise of all the mystery
and the beauty in the world. Anything
can happen now that we’ve slid over this
bridge, I thought. Anything at all. Even
35
In this dialogue, there is a sentence that is underlined. It shows that is metaphor. The speaker
in the dialogue wants to tell about New York City. It is a metaphor for the decay of
contemporary culture. The same lack of individual integrity that caused so many people to
take the easy way out was rapidly turning the town of his dream in, and how hard it is to exist
in a society desensitized by drugs,loud music, television, crime, garbage. And he also shows
that New York is romantic city as he feels. It is behind his black-rimmed glasses were coiled
sexual power of a jungle cat. New York is his town, and it always will be. From the first data,
the researcher also finds the second data in The Great Gatsby’s movie that contains metaphor
figure of language. The function of the underlined sentence is to create the good meaning.
The data is explained below.
Datum 2
GATSBY: You see, Mr. Buchanan. I
wanted to be close. Daisy and I have
both, it’s so hot! Everything’s so
confused. What’ll we do this afternoon
or the day after that, or for the next 30
years? Oh, don’t be morbid. Let’s go to
town. Who wants to go to town? Town?
Women get these. Notion..
(WHISPER) Daisy.You always look so
cool like the advertisement of the man in
36
In this dialogue, we show the metaphor with underline sentence. For that sentence the
speaker wants to give information about the word “cool” and “the advertisement”. Based on
the underline sentence, Daisy compares Gatsby to advertisement of a man because he has
made his life and himself so perfect its unrealistic, much like the life or looks of a man in an
advertisement. Daisy says “you always look so cool” meaning that he always looks calm and
put together. He has almost no worries, but if he did he didn’t show one once of them. Gatsby
wants to look perfect in the eyes of others even if that means he has to be fake and hidden.
The researcher also finds metaphor in the next the data.and the function of the sentence that
the writer underlined is to create the correlation meaning. It is explained data three.
Datum 3
TOM : No, no, no. She is not leaving
me. Certainly not for a common swindler
like you. Mr. Gatsby, exactly who are
you, anyhow? I made an investigation
into your affairs. You are one of Meyer
Wolfshiem’sbunch. Please, let’s go
home. See, he and this Wolfshiem they
bought up drugstores. And sold
bootlegged alcohol over the counter.
What about it, old sport? Don’t you call
me “old sport”. And this drugstore
37
Wolfshiem have got going. Your friend
Walter Chase, isn’t too proud to come
in? I gave you that some thought. How
does a reputable banker like Walter
Chase find himself up to his eyeballs in
debt.
The underline sentence is metaphor of figurative language, we can see from the “She
is not leaving me. Certainly not for a common swindler like you.” From that sentence, the
speaker wants to give information that the girl is not leaving him as not swindler like Gatsby.
The researcher finds datum that almost same with metaphor, it is smile. The function of the
sentence is to create a good correlated meaning for readers. Below the researcher explain
more clearly about simile.
4.1.1.1.3Simile
Simile is a comparison expressed by the use of some words or phrases, such as,
”like”, “as”, “than”, “similiar to”, “resemblers”, or “seems”(Perrine, 1992, p.610). A simile
“is usually” introduced by some words, such as “like”, “as”, “so”, which draw attention to the
likeness, but it is not necessary all that is neccesary to the simille is that both sides of
comparison is stated, for example, asblack as, as cool as, etc. Simile is figure of speech in
which a more or less fanciful. The data analyzes below:
Datum 1
38
ever met. And am ever likely to meet
again. There was something about him, a
sensitivity. He was like one of those
machines that register earthquakes
10.000 miles away. Where’d you meet
him?
The point of this simile can be see in the word “like”. That is figurative language. So,
the speaker on this dialogue wants to tell that Nick Carraway compares his friend (gatsby)
with the machines that register earthquakes 10.000 miles away.and the function of the
sentence is to create a good correlationmeaning for readers. Then, the researcher continues to
the next data which the same figurative language.
Datum 2
NICK: the way he spoke, no wonder
people thought he was lying. After my
family died, I ran into a great deal of
money. After that, I lived like a prince in
all the capitals of Europe.
The point of simile on the great gatsby movie can be seen the word “like”. that is
figrative language which compare himself (gatsby) who was resemble toa prince in all the
capitals of europe. The context of expression when Gatsby tells about him to Nick, he Said “I
lived like a prince in all the capitals of europe”.and the function of the underlined sentence is
39
Datum 3
DAISY: Is that too much to ask?
TOM: Daisy, don’t create a scene. I love
seeing you at my table. You remind me
of a rose. An absolute rose, doesn’t he?
TOM: So after dinner, I’m not like a
rose.
TOM: Nick wanted to go into town. To
the Yale club.Nicky, stay. I’ve to work
early. Nonsense.
DAISY: There’s so much to talk about.
The third data uses phrase “like” same with the previous data as sign of simile figure
of language. Here, simile compares “I” and “rose”. “I” as pronoun means someone while
“rose” is noun that usually used to explain the character of person which has a meaning
beautiful, soft, and calm. The speaker has a meaning to express someone who acts like
somebody else not being herself. Instead, she doesn’t looks like beautiful person infront of
person. And the sentence has a function that the function of the sentnece is to create the good
meaning. Now, we see to the fourth data.
Datum 4
40
door. It’s like an amusement park. Shall
we?
NICK: Did you get an invitation? People
aren’t invited to Gatsby’s. well, I was.
Seems I’m the only one. Who is this
Gatsby? He was a German spy during
the war.
This data correlates with the previous data. This sentence is simile. We can see from
the pronoun “it (next door)” and phrase “an amusement” that compares by using conjunction
“like”. The speaker means she like something that is next door becomes an entertainment. The
function of the sentence is to create the correlation meaning for readers in their reading. Then
the data five is explained below.
Datum 5
TAXI DRIVER: Have a good night.
Your place looks like the World’s Fair or
Coney Island. Doesn’t it?
NICK: Yes.
This data is figurative language of simile. It’s known by the phrase “your place” with
the “World Fair or Coney Island”. They compare by using “like” as sign of simile. This
sentence compare the thing of man is greatness. And the function is to compare the things
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Datum 6
NICK: …….You’re acting like a little
boy. You’re being rude, Daisy. In there
all alone and you’re …? Shh…
The sixth data is simile, from the word “acting” and “boy” is two things that appears
not same totality. It means the speaker gives attention to someone but he never turn back to
the speaker. She is so childish. The function of the underlined sentence is to create a good
meaning and create a good style in writing the text, and the readers know that the text has
correlation meaning between sentence and sentence. The next data is simile, it is explained
more below.
Datum 7
NICK: You’re shimmering.
Gatsby: She looks like she could be the
cover of vogue.
DAISY: Turn on camera!
NICK: where did you go?
From the data above, simile is connecting two things by using the sign of simile
“like”. The speaker wants to give information that she can cover up her problems well. The
function of the sentence is to create a good understanding for the readers, and they know the
42
Datum 8
NICK: How to dress, act and speak like
a gentleman, Gatsby… She looks well,
doesn’t she?
The comparison in this sentence is connected the word “dress, act, and speak” with the
phrase “a gentleman”. Someone means person refers to Gatsby. The meaning is she looks
perfect person. The function is to create the good meaning. The researcher also find simile in
the data, see below.
Datum 9
NICK: There had been music from my
neighbor’s all summer. In his gardens,
men and girls came and went like moths
among the whisperings and the laughter
and the stars.
From the data above, we can see the sign of simile “like”. Itcompares two things between
“his gardens, men and girls came and went” and “moths”. It is clear that the speaker wants
to tell that a lot of people are in his neighbor’s house. and the function of the text is to create
the good meaning in their understanding of the text.The last datum of simile will be
43
Datum 10
NICK: He knew his mind would never
again be free to romp like the mind of
God. That falling in love would change
his destiny forever. And then I just let
myself go.
NICK: She blossomed for him like a
flower and the incarnation was complete.
In this dialogue, there is the underline sentence that shows simile. The speaker wants to
show a vision for his like because of the world incarnation. It means the transition, change,
and rebirth. Daisy blossomed, or opened up to Gatsby, and she becomes part of Gatsby. She
welcomed him in. Daisy went from a little shy with Gatsby to giving herself to him. It was a
sign of showing her that she has changed from what she was to what she wants to be. She
wants her life to translate from what it used to be to what it used to be to what it can be with
Gatsby. She opened up and come into Gatsby like a flower blossoms and incarnates.The
researcher also finds other kind of figurative language in The Great Gatsby’s movie like
Hyperbole. It is explained below.
4.1.1.2 Contradictive Figurative Language
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4.1.1.2.1 Hyperbole
Perhaps, hyperbole is one of the most widely recognized forms of figurative language
which permeates everyday life. Hyperbole is simply exaggeration but exaggeration in the
service of truth (Perrine, 1992, 650). It is used to express something or state of condition in a
bigger way than real condition, or Hyperbole is an exaggerated statement.
There are some hyperboles found in The Great Gatsby’s movie are:
Datum 1
MAN 1: True
MAN 2:kills for fun, free of charge.
He’s certainly richer than God.
You don’t really believe he killed a man,
do you? Let’s go find him and you can
ask him yourself.
TRIMALCHIO: ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome to the stage, the
incredible, Miss Gilda Gray!
Context of situation is after Nick and Jordan met in Gatsby's party. and the men
explain about gatsby that he is kaiser's assassin and he's certainly richer than God.The point is
all of people describe Mr Gatsby has very much wealth so all of people said "He’s certainly
richer than God". It has the same function with the previous data, it is to create good meaning
45
Datum 2
NICK: His smile was one of those rare
smiles that you may come across four or
five times in life (00:30:04)
It seemed to understand you and believe
in you just as you would like to be
understood and believe in. Sorrry, old
sport. I thought you knew.
The point of this figurative can be seen from Mr. Nick describe about Gatsby's smile.
He explain that his smile was one of those rare smiles that you may come across four or five
times in life.He was surprised when turned and met Mr Gatsby. As if he had never met the
people which have a rare smile like a smile Mr Gatsby. Then, the next data, the writer finds
in others dialogue.The function of the data is to create a good correlation meaning to
understand well by the readers. We can see more explanation below.
Datum 3
NICK: He knew his mind would never
again be free to romp like the mind of
God.
That falling in love would change his
destiny forever. And then I just let my
self go.
46
computer, letters and kinds of them. And we know that our mind is limited. This sentence
means that the speaker feels nervous.and the function of the data is to create the good
corrrelation meaning for readers in their understanding. Then the next datum is other kind of
figurative language is litotes.
4.1.1.2.2 Litotes
Litotes is figurative language that contains statement which made smaller from
original. Litotes as a figure of speech consisting of an understatement in which an affirmative
is expressed by negating its opposite. It is meant that people usually use it to make it simple.
So that they are not arrogant because they guess something invaluable although exactly is so
valuable. The following are data of litotes.
Datum 1
MAN: I am afraid I have not been a very
good host old sport. You see? I’m
Gatsby. You’re…?
This data is categorized as litotes. It can be shown by the phrase “ a very good host old
sport”. The speaker on this sentence wants to delivers his feeling. Based on this sentence, it
shows that speaker is incredible man. The function of the data is to create the correlation
meaning to be understood by the readers. Then, the same datum will discuss below.
Datum 2
TOM : Mr. Gatsby, would you be good
