MINI RESEARCH

POETRY

THE COMPARISON OF FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE IN MALAY

POETRY “PADAMU JUA” (T.AMIR HAMZAH) AND IN ENGLISH
POETRY “TIME FLIES BY” (POETRY PROJECT)

CREATED BY:

TENGKU TRISHA APRILLA (2153220036)

STATE UNIVERSITY OF MEDAN

FACULTY OF LANGUAGE AND ARTS

ENGLISH LITERATURE
 1. INTRODUCTION

Literature is any single body of written works. More restrictively, literature is

writingconsidered to be an art form, or any single writing deemed to have artistic or intellectual
value, often due to deploying language in ways that differ from ordinary usage. The concept has
changed meaning over time: nowadays it can broaden to have non-written verbal art forms, and
thus it is difficult to agree on its origin, which can be paired with that of language or writing
itself. Developments in print technology have allowed an evergrowing distribution and
proliferation of written works, culminating in electronic literature. Literature can be classified
according to whether it is fiction or non-fiction, and whether it is poetry or prose. It can be
further distinguished according to major forms such as the novel, short story or drama; and
works are often categorized according to historical periods or their adherence to certain aesthetic
features or expectations (genre).

Poetry is a form of literary art which uses aesthetic and rhythmic qualities of language to
evoke meanings in addition to, or in place of, prosaic ostensible meaning. Poetry has
traditionally been distinguished from prose by its being set in verse prose is cast in sentences,
poetry in lines; the syntax of prose is dictated by meaning, whereas that of poetry is held across
meter or the visual aspects of the poem. Prior to the 19th century, poetry was commonly
understood to be something set in metrical lines; accordingly, in 1658 a definition of poetry is
"any kind of subject consisting of Rhythm or Verses". Possibly as a result of Aristotle's influence
(his Poetics), "poetry" before the 19th century was usually less a technical designation for verse
than a normative category of fictive or rhetorical art. As a form it may pre-date literacy, with the
earliest works being composed within and sustained by an oral tradition; hence it constitutes the
earliest example of literature.

"Padamu Jua"; Indonesian for "To You Alone") is a 28-line poem by Amir Hamzah which
was included in his 1937 collection Nyanyi Sunyi. Hamzah's best-praised work, readings have
generally focused on religious themes – mainly from an Islamic perspective, although Christian
influences have been suggested. Indonesian literary critic Zuber Usman writes that the poem
describes a meeting between Amir Hamzah and God, depicted either as a meeting between
lovers or between a servant and his Lord. He writes that the first two lines depict Hamzah's
feelings after he was told that he was to be married, how all his hopes for the future were
destroyed by the announcement. “Time Flies by” is the poetry that written from by myself when
I must write a project that becomes one of my assignment. This paper have an identify about
figurative language in both of the poetry.
 2. REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Figurative language is language that uses words or expressions with a meaning that is
different from the literal interpretation. When a writer uses literal language, he or she is simply
stating the facts as they are. Figurative language, in comparison, uses exaggerations or alterations
to make a particular linguistic point. Figurative language is very common in poetry, but is also
used in prose and nonfiction writing as well.

Figurative language uses figures of speech to be more effective, persuasive, and impactful.
Figures of speech such as metaphors, similes, and allusions go beyond the literal meanings of the
words to give readers new insights. On the other hand, alliterations, imageries, or onomatopoeias
are figurative devices that appeal to the senses of the readers. Figurative language can appear in
multiple forms with the use of different literary and rhetorical devices.

Types of Figurative Language, The term figurative language covers a wide range of
literary devices and techniques, a few of which include: Simile, Metaphor, Personification,
Hyperbole, Imagery, Metonymy, Synecdoche, Litotes. For example, it often includes the use of a
specific type of word or word meaning. Metaphor: A metaphor is a comparison made between
things which are essentially not alike. One example of a metaphor would be to say, “Nobody
invites Edward to parties because he is a wet blanket.” Simile: A simile is like a metaphor and
often uses the words like or as. One example of a simile would be to say, “Jamie runs as fast as
the wind.” Personification: When something that is not human is given human-like qualities, this
is known as personification. An example of personification would be to say, “The leaves danced
in the wind on the cold October afternoon.” Hyperbole: Exaggerating, often in a humorous way,
to make a particular point is known as hyperbole. One of example of hyperbole would be to say,
“My eyes widened at the sight of the mile-high ice cream cones we were having for dessert.” In
addition to various types of words relating to the word's meaning, figurative language also
includes unusual constructions or combinations of words that provide a new perspective on the
word. For example: Synecdoche: A synecdoche is a figure of speech using a word or words that
are a part to represent a whole. For example, referring to credit cards as "plastic" is a
synecdoche. Metonymy: A metonymy is a figure of speech where one thing is replaced with a
word that is closely associated with it such as using "Washington" to refer to the United States
government.
 3. RESEARCH METHOD

This research use descriptive method to do the research. Descriptive research is used to
describe characteristics of a population or phenomenon being studied. It does not answer
questions about how/when/why the characteristics occurred. Rather it addresses the "what"
question (what are the characteristics of Minnesota state population or situation being studied?).
The characteristics used to describe the situation or population are usually some kind of
categorical scheme also known as descriptive categories. For example, the periodic table
categorizes the elements. Scientists use knowledge about the nature of electrons, protons and
neutrons to devise this categorical scheme. We now take for granted the periodic table, yet it
took descriptive research to devise it. Descriptive research generally precedes explanatory
research.

Hence, descriptive research cannot describe what caused a situation. Thus, descriptive
research cannot be used as the basis of a causal relationship, where one variable affects another.
In other words, descriptive research can be said to have a low requirement for internal validity.
The description is used for frequencies, averages and other statistical calculations. Often the best
approach, prior to writing descriptive research, is to conduct a survey investigation. Qualitative
research often has the aim of description and researchers may follow-up with examinations of
why the observations exist and what the implications of the findings are.
 4. TECHNIQUE OF COLLECTING DATA

Documents and Records, Consists of examining existing data in the form of databases,
meeting minutes, reports, attendance logs, financial records, newsletters, etc. Some datas
has been input from the writer’s own data.

5. FINDING AND DISCUSSION

- PADAMU JUA
By : Amir Hamzah

Habis kikis
Segala cintaku hilang terbang (personification)
Pulang kembali aku padamu
Seperti dahulu

Kaulah kendi kemerlap

Pelita jendela dimalam gelap (metaphore)
Melambai pulang perlahan
Sabar, setia, selalu

Satu kasihku
Aku manusia
Rindu rasa
Rindu rupa

Dimana engkau
Rupa tiada
Suara sayup
Hanya kata merangkai hati (personification)
Engkau cemburu
Engkau ganas
Mangsa aku dalam cakarmu
Bertukar tangkap dengan lepas

Nanar aku, gila sasar

Sayang berulang padamu jua
Engkau pelik menarik ingin
Serupa darah dibalik tirai (simile)

Kasihku sunyi (personification)

Menunggu seorang diri
Lalu waktu—bukan giliranku
Mati hari—bukan kawanku (personification)

- TIME FLIES BY
By : Tengku Trisha Aprilla

How time flies by (Personification)

My childhood has flown right by (personification)

I have been through the journey of life

Sometimes sweet and sometimes bitter

Life is a full of lying (analogy)

The people around has been changing

They show us the fake smile

But we accept it with a honesty smile

You never know who is the right one

Until you can learn and find it by yourself

If you have found it

make it be your number one

From this data and analysis, there are some figurative languages that have been found and
discussed. The sentence that is underlined and given bold is the analysis. It means that the
sentence is appropriate with one of the kind in figurative language. But, in “Padamu Jua” poetry,
has been more dominant in using personification and also the writer put the other figurative
languages which mans the writer put in a beautiful written.
 6. CONCLUSION

Figurative language is language that uses words or expressions with a meaning that is
different from the literal interpretation. Figures of speech such as metaphors, similes, and
allusions go beyond the literal meanings of the words to give readers new insights. Figurative
language can appear in multiple forms with the use of different literary and rhetorical devices.
Types of Figurative Language, The term figurative language covers a wide range of literary
devices and techniques, a few of which include: Simile, Metaphor, Personification, Hyperbole,
Imagery, Metonymy, Synecdoche, Litotes.

From this mini research, we can conclude that both of the writer uses figurative language. By
knowing and understanding figurative language, we can analyze each sentences. In Amir
Hamzah that is known as the famous of malay poetry have a good style in using figurative
language and his written is dominant to ‘personification’.