NAMA : RIONI TRI WULANDARI

NIM : A320180216

KELAS: E

FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE OF SELECTED POEMS

IN THE PROPHET BY KHALIL GIBRAN: CHILDREN, MARRIAGE, AND DEATH

Abstract

Poem is one of literature product which use to express feelings, entertain the reader, and
as the place to give advice to the readers. Poem is written using selection language that
has beautiful meaning in order to make poem give effects to the reader. Selected
language that can give effect to the poem known as figurative language. The Prophet is a
book by Khalil Gibran which contains 28 proses and has been translated into some
languages. This study will discuss about what is figurative language that used in the
selection poem in The Prophet by Khalil Gibran? What is the meaning of that figurative
language?

Keywords:

Introduction:

Gibran Khalil Gibran is Lebanese-American who also known as Kahlil Gibran. Kahlil Gibran is one of
the popular writer and artist. One of his popular books is “The Prophet” which translated into more than
100 languages. His book published in 1923 by Alfred A. Knopf in United States. The Prophet is a book
which consists of 26 prose poetry written in English. The Prophet tells about Almustafa who became the
chosen and beloved prophet. One day in his way to the docks to come back home, he met Almira in
temple. He answers Almira Question about thing that separates birth and death. Not only Almira question,
he also answer question from Orphalese citizen who accompany his departure. There are twenty six
questions about life from many aspects that Mustafa should answer. When answering those twenty six
questions, he answers by using allusion to natures and daily activities in order to give general views.

Many studies have been done using The Prophet as object of the study. Researchers in the previous study
have different analysis subject for this object. Most of them try translate The Prophet into their language
in order to make this book could be understand by many people with their language. Not only translate it
into their language, but they also analyze the structure of the sentences in the poems. They use semantics
pragmatics, discourse analysis, psycholinguistics and so on. In literary fields they analyze figurative
language in the poems of this book. This study tries to analyze figurative language that use in the selected
poems: Children, Marriage and Death. This study also to know what the meaning of figurative language
that uses in the selected poems
Description & evaluation and relation to other literature

Giora (2002) in Literal vs. Figurative language: Different or Equal?, explain Initial process of
different or equal a figurative language is, and integration process of different or equal a figurative
language is. This is a qualitative study to know does the figurative language and literal are different or
equal. This study gives me understanding that literal language and non-literal language are different. This
study strength is the explanation of this research is clear enough. This study weakness is this study has no
theoretical framework. This study is belonging to linguistics study and confirmed and added the previous
study.

Yeibo (2012) in his study explain about what figurative language is and what is stylistic function
and analysis poetry based on figurative language and its style. Key theories of this research are figurative
language and stylistics. The researcher use qualitative research and tell more theories about figurative
language and stylistics. It gives me understanding that figurative language not only uses to give art of
language but also to give style of the poet so that the poetry have something “unique”. This study strength
is the research have theoretical framework so that this study could be understand. This study weakness is
the results of this study didn’t deliver directly. This study belonging to language teaching study and this
study confirmed and added the previous study.

Steen (2008) in his study he discuss about metaphor in psycholinguistics field, breaking metaphor
in the cognitive-linguistics mirror, resolving the paradox discuss why deliberate is important in
communicating metaphor, discuss metaphor in language, thought, and communication. This is a
qualitative study, the researcher explain theory from psycholinguistics aspects. This study gives me
understanding about what the function of metaphor and its role. This study strength is the explanation
complex enough. This study belongs to literature study and confirmed and added the previous study.

Khatibi (2015) in his study compare some parts of the translation from some language. This is a
qualitative research with the data collected from some part or The Prophet translation. This study use
structualistic approach to make sure that the translation of The Prophet has the same aesthetic value of the
source. This study gives me understanding that sometimes language that an author use in a poet could
make the translator difficult to translate into other language. Weaknesses of this study are limitation in the
study cannot be applied to all Gibran’s translation, Metaphors in The Prophet cannot all deal with the
study. This study strength is the explanation complex enough. This study belongs to translation study and
this study is confirmed and added the previous study.

Gentner and Bowdle (2001) in their study they explain about structural alignment in metaphor,
polysemy and metaphor, metaphor conventionality, and distinction of metaphor. This is a qualitative
research which views metaphor as analogies. This study gives me understanding that metaphor has a
system. This study strength is the explanation complex enough. This is belongs to literary study and
confirmed and added the previous study.

Roberts and Kreuz (1994) in their study explain about what is: Hyperbole, Idiom, Indirect
request, Irony, Metaphor, and simile. There are one hundred fifty eight Memphis state university
participated on this study. The participants were given statement, so they must determine what statement
type in the figurative language. This study gives me understanding that figurative language has some type
and different function. This study strength is, this study is clear enough. The weakness of this study is,
this study have no theoretical framework. This study is confirmed and added the previous study. This
study belongs to literary study.

Andrioipoulos and Gotsi (2017) in their study explain about what is paradox and where we can
find paradox. This is a qualitative research to know about paradox. This study gives me understanding
about paradox deeply. This study strength is, this study strengthen a core body of knowledge. This study
weakness is this study isn’t sharp enough to advance understanding of paradox. This study belongs to
linguistics study and this study confirmed and added the previous study.

Al khazraji, Abdullah, and wong (2013) in their study explain about Gibran’s world in The
Prophet. This is a qualitative study with the purpose to know the Gibran’s world in The Prophet. This
study gives me moral values from an author name Khalil Gibran deeply. The strength of this study is
complex enough. The weakness is this study has no framework of thinking. This study belongs to literary
study and completed the previous study.

Freeman (2000) in her study Mapping analogy in the poem and blending concept in the poem.
This is a qualitative study which has purpose to know what the scope of metaphor is. Give me understand
that Cognitive poetics provides the grounding for the demands of a literary theory. The study strength is
the explanation of this study is complex enough. This study belongs to literary study and competed the
previous study.

Gallagher and McKie (2009) in their study explain the role of expression and criticality in an art,
the role of poetry and literature, the meaning and significance of metaphor. This is qualitative research
which uses several poems in order to get the question’s answer of the study. This study gives me
understanding that Literature and poetry have the potential to develop ethical perception and
imaginations. The weakness of this study is having no theoretical framework. This study belongs to
literary study and completed the previous study.

Altaba and Hamawiya (2019) in their study explain about Gibran’s works. This is qualitative
research by discussing and gives critical review about Gibran’s works. This study gives me understanding
that Gibran’s Literature and poetry have the potential to develop ethical perception and imaginations. This
study weakness there is no theoretical framework of this study. This study belongs to literary study which
completed the previous study.

Kecskes (2010) in The Paradox of Communication: Socio-Cognitive Approach to Pragmatics

Explain the socio cognitive view as the approach in the paradox. This is a qualitative research method.
This study Give me understanding that Systematic analysis in paradox can help us to understanding the
nature of human communication. This study strength is, this study is complex enough. This study belongs
to linguistics study and confirmed and added the previous study.

Altabaa (2016) in his study explain about Gibran and Gibran’s soul. This is a qualitative research
to know more about Gibran’s and his soul. This study gives me understanding that Gibran finds the
meaning of life, the justification behind the pains and joy, in the relationship with God. The weakness of
this study is there is no framework of thinking. This study belongs to literary study and added the
previous study.

Sopory and Dillard (2002) in their study explain about what figurative language is and what
persuasion is. This is a qualitative research. This study gives me understanding that Literature and poetry
have the potential to develop ethical perception and imaginations. This study strength is the researchers
explain the study clear enough and complex. This is belongs to literary study and confirmed and added
the previous study.

Almahasees (2017) in his study Explain about MT in translating literature. This study object is
The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran by comparing translation results from some Translation Machine. This
study makes me believe that MT result is not better than human translator. This study weakness is, this
study didn’t explain the correlation between automatic and manual evaluation methods. This study
strength is, this is study clearly enough. This study belongs to translation study and completed the
previous study.

Kristiani, Sutopo, and Warsono (2018) Interpreting meaning of poetry use transitivity. This is a
qualitative study which object of this study is Khalil Gibran’s work “The Prophet” which has 28 poems.
This study gives understanding about the meaning of poems in The Prophet. This study strength is this
study is complex enough. This study belongs to literary study and completed the previous study.

Al khazraji, Abdullah, and wong (2013) in their study Interpreting meaning of poetry use
transitivity. This is a qualitative study which object of this study is Khalil Gibran’s work “The Prophet”
which has 28 poems. This study gives understanding about the meaning of poems in The Prophet. This
study strength: this study is complex enough. This study belongs to literary study and completed the
previous study.

Hassan (2012) in his study explains the content of The Prophet. This is a qualitative research with
the object of this study is The Prophet by Khalil Gibran. This study gives me understanding that Gibran’s
work can be as guide for better life. This study strength: This work is complex enough. This study
weakness: this study has no framework of thinking. This study belongs to literary study and completed
the previous study.

Hajj (2019) in her study explains the translation of The Prophet from some languages. This study
employs discourse analysis of The Prophet that translated into some languages. Give me understanding
that until now Gibran’s work still could be life guide. This study strength: this study is complex enough.
This study belongs to translation study and completed the previous study.

Hossain and Kabir (2015) in their study explain about Death In The Prophet. This is a qualitative
research which the object of this study is Death in The Prophet. This study gives me understanding about
Death message in The Prophet. Weakness: This study has no theoretical framework. This study belongs to
literary study and completed the previous study.

Closing
This study didn’t focus on paradox and metaphor of the selected poem in The Prophet. For the future
study I hope the topic of study could be discuss about other figurative language.

References

Altabaa, H., & Hamawiya, A. (2019). The Life and Works of Kahlil Gibran: A Critical Review. Asiatic: IIUM
Journal of English Language and Literature, 13(1), 103-118.

Giora, R. (2002). Literal vs. figurative language: Different or equal?. Journal of pragmatics, 34(4), 487-
506.

Kecskes, I. (2010). The paradox of communication: Socio-cognitive approach to pragmatics. Pragmatics

and Society, 1(1), 50-73.

Andriopoulos, C., & Gotsi, M. (2017). Methods of paradox. Oxford University Press.

EL Khatibi, M. (2015). Challenges Of Literary Translation: Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet As A Case Study.
Arab World English Journal (AWEJ), 6(1).

Altabaa, H. (2017). SPIRITUALITY IN MODERN LITERATURE: KAHLIL GIBRAN AND THE SPIRITUAL QUEST.
Al-Shajarah: Journal of the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization (ISTAC), 22(2), 215-
236.

Roberts, R. M., & Kreuz, R. J. (1994). Why do people use figurative language?. Psychological science,
5(3), 159-163.

Gentner, D., & Bowdle, B. F. (2001). Convention, form, and figurative language processing. Metaphor
and symbol, 16(3-4), 223-247.

Sopory, P., & Dillard, J. P. (2002). Figurative language and persuasion. The persuasion handbook:
Developments in theory and practice, 407-426.

Steen, G. (2008). The paradox of metaphor: Why we need a three-dimensional model of metaphor.
Metaphor and symbol, 23(4), 213-241.

Yeibo, E. (2012). Figurative Language and Stylistic Function in JP Clark-Bekederemo's Poetry. Journal of
Language teaching and research, 3(1), 180.

Al-Khazraji, N. H. F., Abdullah, M. H., & Wong, B. E. (2013). Critical Reading of Gibran's World in The
Prophet. English Language and Literature Studies, 3(4), 13.

Gallagher, A., & McKie, A. (2009). The potential of literature and poetry. Palgrave Macmillan (part of
Springer Nature).

Freeman, M. H. (2012). Poetry and the scope of metaphor: Toward a cognitive theory of literature. In
Metaphor and Metonymy at the Crossroads (pp. 253-282). De Gruyter Mouton.
Almahasees, Z., & Mustafa, Z. (2017). Machine Translation Quality of Khalil Gibran's the Prophet. AWEJ
for translation & Literary Studies Volume, 1.

Hajj, M. E. (2019). Aporias in Literary Translation: A Case Study of The Prophet and Its Translations.
Theory & Practice in Language Studies, 9(4).

Hassan, A. M. M. H. (2012). Gibran’s Opus The Prophet: Valuable Lessons for Better Life. Mediterranean
Journal of Social Sciences, 3(3), 537-537.

Al-Khazraji, N. H. F., Abdullah, M. H., & Eng, W. B. (2013). Universal Themes and Messages in Gibran's
The Prophet. Arab World English Journal.

Kristiani, I., Sutopo, D., & Warsono, W. (2018). The Ideational Meaning in Khalil Gibran’s work “The
Prophet”. English Education Journal, 8(4), 479-488.

Hossain, S. A., & Kabir, M. Z. Kahlil Gibran’s Approach to Death in The Prophet.