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PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
AN ANALYSIS OF FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE AND THEME

CONSTRUCTED IN TAYLOR SWIFT’S "SPEAK NOW"
LYRICS
AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements

for the Degree of Sarjana Sastra
in English Letters
By
THERESIA ROSPITA DWI UTAMI
Student Number: 174214074
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS

FACULTY OF LETTERS
UNIVERSITAS SANATA DHARMA
YOGYAKARTA
2021

CONSTRUCTED IN TAYLOR SWIFT’S "SPEAK NOW"
LYRICS
AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements

for the Degree of Sarjana Sastra
in English Letters
By
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS

FACULTY OF LETTERS
UNIVERSITAS SANATA DHARMA
YOGYAKARTA
2021
ii
A Sarjana Sastra Undergraduate Thesis
AN ANALYSIS OF FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE AND THEME CONSTRUCTED IN

TAYLOR SWIFT’S "SPEAK NOW" LYRICS
By
Approved by
Fransisca Kristianti, S.Pd., M.Hum. August 19, 2021

Advisor
Simon Arsa Manggala, S.S., M.Hum. August 19, 2021

Co-Advisor
iii
A Sarjana Sastra Undergraduate Thesis

CONSTRUCTED IN TAYLOR SWIFT’S "SPEAK NOW" LYRICS
By
Defended before the Board of Examiners

on August 30, 2021
and Declared Acceptable
BOARD OF EXAMINERS
NAME SIGNATURE
Chairperson : Fransisca Kristianti, S.Pd., M.Hum.
Secretary : Simon Arsa Manggala, S.S., M.Hum.
Member 1 : Adventina Putranti, S.S., M.Hum.
Member 2 : Fransisca Kristianti, S.Pd., M.Hum.
Member 3 : Simon Arsa Manggala, S.S., M.Hum.
Yogyakarta, August 31, 2021

Faculty of Letters
Universitas Sanata Dharma
Dean
Dr. Tatang Iskarna
iv
STATEMENT OF ORIGINALITY
I certify that this undergraduate thesis contains no material which has been
previously submitted for the award of any other degree at any university, and that,
to the best of my knowledge, this undergraduate thesis contains no material
previously written by any other person except where due reference is made in the
text of the undergraduate thesis.
August 18, 2021
Theresia Rospita Dwi Utami
v
LEMBAR PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN PUBLIKASI KARYA ILMIAH

UNTUK KEPENTINGAN AKADEMIS
Yang bertanda tangan di bawah ini, saya mahasiswa Universitas Sanata Dharma
Nama : Theresia Ropita Dwi Utami

Nomor Mahasiswa : 174214074
Demi pengembangan ilmu pengetahuan, saya memberikan kepada Perpustakaan

Universitas Sanata Dharma karya ilmiah saya yang berjudul

CONSTRUCTED IN TAYLOR SWIFT’S "SPEAK NOW" LYRICS
beserta perangkat yang diperlukan (bila ada). Dengan demikian saya memberikan
kepada Perpustakaan Universitas Sanata Dharma hak untuk menyimpan, me-
ngalihkan dalam bentuk media lain, mengelolanya dalam bentuk pangkalan data,
mendistribusikan secara terbatas, dan mempublikasikannya di Internet atau media
lain untuk kepentingan akademis tanpa perlu meminta ijin dari saya maupun
memberikan royalti kepada saya selama tetap mencantumkan nama saya sebagai
penulis.
Atas kemajuan teknologi informasi, saya tidak berkeberatan jika na ma, tanda
tangan, gambar atau image yang ada di dalam karya ilmiah saya terindeks oleh
mesin pencari (search engine), misalnya google.
Demikian pernyataan ini yang saya buat dengan sebenarnya.
Dibuat di Yogyakarta
Pada tanggal : 9 September, 2021
Yang menyatakan,
vi
"If you never try,

you'll never know.
- Jo Miller
vii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
My deepest gratitude that I would like to express is to thank Jesus Christ.
Just only his endless blessing and love could always give me strength and
motivation to finish this thesis. I would like to deliver my deepest gratitude to my
thesis advisor, Fransisca Kristianti, S.Pd., M.Hum., who always gives her time to
help, guidance, and support patiently during every writing process thesis. I would
like to thank my co-advisor, Simon Arsa Manggala, S.S., M.Hum. for assisting me
while writing this thesis and also my examiner. I am so blessed and thankful to all
the lectures in my faculty, Department of English Letters, who have taught me
during my study at Universitas Sanata Dharma.
I dedicate this gratitude to my family, especially my beloved father,
Antonius Tugimin, and extraordinary mother, Caecilia Triagung Marwanti, who
always support me throughout their prayers and never-ending encourages me to
finish this thesis. My older brother, Robertus Teguh, always listens to my struggles
and helps me throughout my daily life.
My thankfulness also goes to my most incredible partner, Andro Krisna
Yustisio. Thank him for always be there for me through the darkest time, always
gives me support, and listens to my unintelligent struggles and complaints during
the process of writing this thesis.
Also, to all my beloved friends, Oca, Gia, Sekar, Nadia, Cindy, Melinda,
Priska, I sincerely thank you for all your day, help, and happiness that make my day
brighter and be there for me. I will be lost if I am without you guys.
viii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE .................................................................................................. ii

APPROVAL PAGE........................................................................................ iii
ACCEPTANCE PAGE................................................................................... iv
STATEMENT OF ORIGINALITY ................................................................ v
LEMBAR PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN PUBLIKASI KARYA ILMIAH
UNTUK KEPENTINGAN AKADEMIS........................................................... vi
MOTTO PAGE ............................................................................................. vii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .......................................................................... viii
TABLE OF CONTENTS................................................................................ ix
ABSTRACT.................................................................................................... xi
ABSTRAK ..................................................................................................... xii
CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION .................................................................... 1

A. Background of the Study ...................................................................... 1
B. Problem Formulation ........................................................................... 6
C. Objectives of the Study ........................................................................ 6
D. Definition of Terms ............................................................................. 6
CHAPTER II: REVIEW OF LITERATURE ................................................. 8

A. Review of Related Studies ................................................................... 8
B. Review of Related Theories ............................................................... 12
1. Semantics.......................................................................................... 12
2. Semantic Features.............................................................................. 12
3. Componential Analysis ...................................................................... 13
4. Figurative language ........................................................................... 14
5. Theory of Theme ............................................................................... 16
C. Theoretical Framework ...................................................................... 18
CHAPTER III: METHODOLOGY .............................................................. 20

A. Object of the Study ............................................................................ 20
ix
B. Approach of the Study ....................................................................... 21

C. Method of the Study .......................................................................... 21
1. Data Collection ................................................................................. 22
2. Data Analysis.................................................................................... 23
CHAPTER IV: ANALYSIS RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS ..................... 26

A. Figurative Language in SPEAK NOW ................................................. 26
1. Simile ............................................................................................... 27
2. Hyperbole ......................................................................................... 30
3. Synecdoche ....................................................................................... 33
4. Symbol ............................................................................................. 35
B. Theme Constructed from The Derive Meaning of The Figurative
Language..................................................................................................... 36
1. Theme Constructed from Simile......................................................... 39
2. Theme Constructed from Hyperbole................................................... 42
3. Theme Constructed from Synecdoche ................................................ 45
4. Theme Constructed from Symbol....................................................... 47
CHAPTER V: CONCLUSION...................................................................... 53
REFERENCES .............................................................................................. 56
APPENDICES ............................................................................................... 59
APPENDIX 1 : Taylor Swift – Speak Now (Taylor Swift – Speak Now, n.d.)..... 59
APPENDIX 2: Figurative languages are found in Taylor Swift's "Speak Now"
lyrics............................................................................................................... 61
APPENDIX 3: Theme constructed from the derived meaning of the figurative
language.......................................................................................................... 64
x
ABSTRACT
UTAMI, THERESIA ROSPITA (2021). An Analysis Of Figurative Language

And Theme Constructed In Taylor Swift’s "Speak Now" Lyrics. Yogyakarta:
English Letters Department, Faculty of Letters, Universitas Sanata Dharma.
Figurative language often helps the author in order to make a beautiful song
by conveying unusual words in the song lyrics. Figurative language in a love song
gives an appropriate position to the listeners. However, the use of figurative
language will make the listener more excited. The use of figurative language could
also make the listener have a bottomless imagination and understand the intended
meaning through the figurative expression conveyed in song lyrics. Not only the
songwriter could easily transfer an idea through the figurative language in a song
explicitly. But also, the listeners could easily express a feeling and draw their
thoughts.
Speak Now shows the interpretation within both literal meaning and
figurative language through the song lyrics expressions in phrases and sentences. A
song is a literary work similar to poetry that has a poetic device such as figurative
language that performs to express a story, memory, and experience that needs to be
expressed. This study analyzes the linguistic aspect of a song entitled Speak Now,
written and sung beautifully by Taylor Swift, an American singer. In her musical,
literary work, Taylor Swift raises the story of how a friend fights for her true love
even though they are separated but with struggles and high trust to get her true love
back with her.
There are two research objectives in this study. The first objective is to find
the figurative language in the song Speak Now. The second objective is to find the
theme constructed on this song based on the semantic meaning of the figurative
language in the Speak Now song. The author applies a literature study to this
research. The primary data source of this research is finding the script for the Speak
Now song written by Taylor Swift. In addition, the researcher uses various sources
such are theoretical books, journals, and supporting articles as references in this
research. The researcher uses a semantic approach to analyze component ana lysis
on semantic features. In the analysis process, the researcher uses figurative
language theory to examine the relationship between words, sentences, and phrases.
The theme is constructed or revealed by observing how the roles and actions are
described through each semantic feature's literal meaning and figurative meaning.
This research concludes there are eight figurative languages found in four
types of expressions: simile, hyperbole, synecdoche, and symbol. Of all the eight
expressions shown through the four types of figurative language, the five themes of
this Speak Now song are formed, namely: majesty, strangeness, self -confidence,
purity, and firmness. The five themes are a reflection of the struggle to find true
love in unusual circumstances.
Keywords: semantic, figurative expressions, song lyrics.
xi
ABSTRAK
UTAMI, THERESIA ROSPITA (2021). An Analysis Of Figurative Language

And Theme Constructed In Taylor Swift’s "Speak Now" Lyrics.Yogyakarta:
Program Studi Sastra Inggris, Fakultas Sastra, Universitas Sanata Dharma
Bahasa kiasan seringkali membantu penulis lagu untuk membuat lagu yang
indah dengan cara penyampaian kata-kata yang tidak biasa dalam sebuah lirik lagu.
Bahasa kiasan dalam lagu cinta memberikan peran yang tepat bagi pendengarnya.
Maka dari itu, penggunaan bahasa kiasan akan membuat pendengar lebih
bersemangat. Penggunaan bahasa kiasan juga dapat membuat pendengar memiliki
imajinasi yang luas dan memahami makna yang dimaksudkan melalui ekspresi
kiasan yang disampaikan dalam lirik lagu. Tidak hanya pencipta lagu yang dapat
dengan mudah mengaplikasikan ide melalui bahasa kiasan dalam sebuah lagu
secara eksplisit. Tetapi juga, pendengar dapat dengan mudah mengungkapkan
perasaan dan menggambar pikiran mereka.
Speak Now menunjukkan interpretasi secara arti harfiah dan bahasa kiasan
melalui ungkapan lirik lagu dalam bentuk frasa dan kalimat. Lagu ialah sebuah
karya sastra yang mirip dengan puisi yang memiliki perangkat puitis bahasa kiasan
yang berfungsi untuk mengungkapkan sebuah cerita, ingatan, dan pengalaman yang
perlu diungkapkan. Penelitian ini menganalisis aspek linguistik dari sebuah lagu
berjudul Speak Now, yang ditulis dan dinyanyikan dengan indah oleh Taylor Swift,
seorang penyanyi Amerika. Dalam karya musik dan sastranya, Taylor Swift
mengangkat kisah tentang bagaimana seorang sahabat memperjuangkan cinta
sejatinya meski harus berpisah namun dengan perjuangan dan kepercayaan yang
tinggi untuk mendapatkan cinta sejatinya kembali bersamanya.
Ada dua tujuan penelitian dalam penelitian ini. Tujuan pertama ialah
menemukan bahasa kiasan dalam lagu Speak Now. Tujuan kedua ialah menemukan
tema yang dibangun pada lagu ini berdasarkan makna semantik bahasa kiasan
dalam lagu Speak Now. Penulis menerapkan studi kepustakaan pada penelitian ini.
Sumber data utama penelitian ini adalah menemukan naskah lagu Speak Now yang
ditulis oleh Taylor Swift. Selain itu, peneliti menggunakan berbagai sumber seperti
buku teori, jurnal, dan artikel pendukung sebagai referensi dalam penelitian ini.
Peneliti menggunakan pendekatan semantik untuk menganalisis analisis komponen
pada fitur semantik. Dalam proses analisis, peneliti menggunakan teori bahasa
kiasan untuk menguji hubungan antara kata, kalimat, dan frasa. Tema dibangun atau
diungkapkan dengan mengamati bagaimana peran dan tindakan digambarkan
melalui makna literal dan makna figuratif dalam setiap fitur semantik.
Penelitian ini menyimpulkan ada delapan bahasa kiasan yang ditemukan
dalam empat jenis ekspresi: simile, hiperbola, sinekdoke, dan simbol. Dari delapan
ekspresi yang ditunjukkan melalui empat jenis bahasa kiasan, terbentuk lima tema
lagu Speak Now ini, yaitu: keagungan, keanehan, kepercayaan diri, kemurnian, dan
ketegasan. Kelima tema tersebut merupakan cerminan dari perjuangan menemukan
cinta sejati dalam keadaan yang tidak biasa.
Keywords: semantic, figurative expressions, song lyrics.
xii
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
1. Background of the Study
Language significantly has a role as an essential part to express human’s
thoughts, feelings, memories, and stories easily since people could not be separated
from a language in their life. Language gives a function to society the ability to
share, convey, and communicate their thoughts, feelings, and ideas with each other.
There are many ways and methods in order to escape their reality or experiences.
People often use language in various literary works ways by the forms of spoken
and written language. Both spoken and written language forms aim to make people
shall understand and capture the meaning of images in poems, songs, short stories,
and many other works.
In linguistics, literary works are an inseparable part of life. One of the
literary works is music. Music or songs are usually a tool that humans use in order
to celebrate life. Music always brings life back to their sense of humanity. The
beauty of music occurs through the lyrics that are in it. In the human’s routine,
music has impacts on their life while they pay attention to each lyric. By listening
to music, humans or people reflects their daily life through memories or thoughts
that are inseparable from their life. According to Hornby, "Lyric such of a poetry
which expressing a person's personal feelings and thoughts. It connected with their
soul that has written for singing" (Hornby et al., 2005, p. 921). Similar to poetry,
song lyrics are written as a form of embodiment of the poet's voice through
messages that convey attitudes, feelings, and states of personal aspiration that
1
reflect in life. Thomas states that "music, like poetry, should be closely linked to
the human voice and thus to the movement of the soul” (Thomas, 1995, p. 14).
Young people and teenagers always listen to music nowadays rather than
read other literary works such as a poem. Especially music discovers their soul and
describes their life experience through the author that conveys their message
through their works. The words inside a song are called lyrics. The lyrics of a song
usually contain the outpouring of the writer's heart. People would like it more if the
author writes the song lyrics based on the author's experience relate d to their life.
Since a song has meaning or message to the listeners, it can be a platform or a media
of communication. Survey of Public Participation in the Arts (SPPA) 2017 shows
a data result shared by the NEA. It explains that there were 28 million people poetry
readers in the United States (Trombetta, 2018). The achievement of the poetry
readers has become the highest on record over 15 years, and five percentage points
up to from the 2012 survey. Meanwhile, the music industry gains and grows a broad
of digital platforms access and also the digital music play, such as by streaming,
download, and other digital players. Furthermore, this argument is also supported
by Digital Music – Statistics & Facts. In the music industry, especially digital music
listeners in 2017, there are 162.9 million streaming users in the U.S. (Watson &
Text, 2018). The data results show that people tend to choose to listen to music than
reading poetry in their life. It also declares the number of people who listen to music
more than people who read poetry to express their ideas and feelings.
Taylor Swift is one of the hottest female singers in pop music, especially
in 2019. It happens since her first album debuted in 2006 and successfully sold more
than 40 million albums worldwide. She has known as a famous and talented artist.
She is not only a singer but also a songwriter of her works. It could be seen as an
aspiring musician from an early age in 2004 at her first recording contract and then
released her self–titled debut two years later. She has earned dozens of awards for
singing achievements and songwriting talent. Therefore, it becomes her songs
worthy of attention towards the messages conveyed through all her pieces, usually
reflected from her own experiences.
"Speak Now" is the title track in Taylor Swift's third album, Speak Now,
released on October 25, 2010. "Speak Now" song lyrics carry a massage as a being
a true love to her lover. The messages are delivered in a way how the author proved
to her ex-lover who was in the wedding ceremony that married a wrong person by
crashed the wedding and implored in her lyric "Don't say yes, run away now/I'll
meet you when you're out, of the church at the back door" (Speak Now by Taylor
Swift - Songfacts, n.d.). Speak Now album debuted at number one on the Billboard
200 chart (Parmer, 2014). The Speak Now album sold more than one million copies
in its first week, and she wrote this album just by herself when she was 19 th years
old without co-writers.
The "Speak Now" lyrics show how honest and deep understanding is by
concerning heartbreak, love, and romance. Kennedy and Gioia state the theme story
is a general idea or insight of the entire story reveals (J. C. Kennedy & Gioia, 1999,
p. 175). This album represents her as a teenage girl who does not feel afraid to speak
her mind. Swift writes her personal experiences and talks about everyday thoughts
in the theme of her songs, which are almost as her diary. That makes listeners or
audiences love her piece of song lyrics related to their story of life. However, the
theme in this study explains the main idea about the text is. In this study, the theme
is also essential to know the dominant meaning in each type of figurative language.
This album directly delivers a love story, thoughts, ideas, feelings, and she
described the colour. The use of colour that aims to express the writer's feelings is
one type of language variation, called figurative language.
Figurative language is a part of literary devices which many song writers
use. In literary devices, the language is used in such a way that it is different from
the actual literal meaning of the words. Perrine describes figurative expression as
an expression that cannot be taken literally(Perrine, 1969, p. 65). It could help the
reader get a clearer picture of what is happening, and it can also convince the reader
of something that relates to their life, or it just can be used to entertain the reader.
Danet and Herring state that the female language is more hyperbolic than the male
language because, by the male language, the expressions are less direct easily
understand to convey the meaning of the song (Danet & Herring, 2007, p. 250).
Taylor Swift can be one of the representatives of female songwriters using
figurative language in a song. The use of figurative language not only aims to
explain and reveal the meaning behind the use of the word used. But also to make
the song lyrics more interesting. Therefore, the author often expresses her feelings
throughout figurative language to know the message or deeper meaning from the
song lyrics itself.

The study's object uses song lyrics instead of other sources because song
lyrics have a literal meaning and non – literal meaning. The result of this study is
not only to find the use of figurative language through the intended meaning in the
"Speak Now" song lyrics of the Speak Now Album. This study also finds the result
of a theme constructed from the reflected meaning of the figurative language.
Figurative language in song lyrics is being the one characteristic of the linguistic
aspects that make a song being special or unique.
Moreover, Taylor Swift uses figurative language in her songs aims to talk
about symbolic language or a special meaning to express feelings. Swift often uses
symbolic expression to represent a romance, heartbreak, and anxiety condition of
life (Unterberger, 2014). Therefore, the researcher chooses to Speak Now song
lyrics as the data object of the research because the song could have been listened
to easily, and the lyrics are a little bit hard to be understood without knowing and
understanding the intended meaning through the figurative language. Hopefully,
this research will give benefits to teenagers, other researchers, and the readers of
this study could have a better understanding of the message of the Speak Now
Album songs through figurative language. The researcher wishes that by
understanding the meaning implied in the Speak Now Album' song lyrics, readers
can get a different perspective about love and life by understanding the figurative
language.
Semantics leads the researcher's study, which discusses the study of
meaning. Quoting from Saeed, "semantic study is more about meaning in
communication through language" (Saeed, 2009, p. 3). This study is a linguistic
study. It analyses 'meaning' as a part of Semantics. Therefore, this research enriches
the study of meaning in the linguistic field because it is about the importance of the
figurative languages found in Taylor Swift's Album.
2. Problem Formulation
In order to construct the discussion of the research, there are two problems
that are formulated as follows below:
1. What figurative languages are found in Taylor Swift's "Speak Now" lyrics?
2. What theme is constructed from the derive meaning of the figurative
language?
3. Objectives of the Study
There are two objectives of this study. The first is to identify the figurative
language in "Speak Now" lyrics. By identifying the symbolic terms, the writer can
relate to the second objective. The second objective is to construct the theme that
reveals through the use of figurative language in that song.
4. Definition of Terms
The following explanations are the definitions of several particular terms
used here to avoid misunderstanding of several terms in this study. The first word
is figurative language. Figurative language is a language that brings us to the
imagination pleasure (Perrine, 1969, p. 71). Figurative language figures out

something to be more than usual meaning. It has a connotative or implied meaning
that it will not be found in the dictionary as a denotative meaning.
The second important term in this study is the song. Song is the text of a
word in the way that a poem, short story, or any other piece of music is to be sung
(Griffee, 1992, p. 3). Every song has its meaning or message through the lyrics.
However, Griffee describes a song as a satisfying art form, the lyrics which fit the
music, and the music includes the lyrics, and together they a complete unit (Griffee,
1992, p. 4).
Song lyrics are the third important term since this study discusses the
meaning of the song. Song lyrics are a group of words and phrases, also sentences
in literary works of song that are associated with an instrumental complement
(Jackson & Prins, 2014, p. 1). However, song lyrics still have a contribution to the
music significantly. Lyrics lead a way to present the essence of poetry in a song.
Theme is also the fourth important term that will be explained in this study
to answer the second problem formulation. The theme is the beginning point
element for the message (Halliday & Matthiessen, 2014, p. 83). It identifies as the
clause starting point element, which is actualized by the first clause position.
CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
This chapter consists of three parts: a review of related studies, related
theories, and a theoretical framework. These parts mostly contain studies and
theories. The researcher reviews four sources for the associated studies done on a
similar topic. The four bases are two journals or articles and two theses.
There are four studies that are relevant since the studies discuss the use of
figurative language in song lyrics. In the related theories, the researcher reviews
some ideas from the expert used in order to provide the foundation for this study
analysis. The last is a theoretical framework that presents the role of those theories
and reviews to solve the problems.
A. Review of Related Studies
The first related study is an undergraduate thesis entitled "Language Style
Seen from Figurative Language Perspective in Taylor Swift's Red Album" by
Wahyuningtyas (Wahyuningtyas, 2019). This research not only discussed
figurative language but also focused on Taylor Swift's style. Therefore, the direct
approach applied in this study is stylistics. In Wahyuningtyas’s thesis, the research
only uses five selected songs as the object, which are "Red," "Treacherous," "I
Knew You Were Trouble," "22", and "Starlight." The object of the study is Taylor
Swift Red Album's songs, while in this present research, the thing of the study is
Taylor Swift's Speak Now Album's songs. The primary approach of the study is
stylistics, while in this research, the primary approach is semantics. What differs
from Wahyuningtyas's thesis and this research is the approach used.
8
Wahyuningtyas's thesis focuses on the stylistic approach. While in this research
focuses on the semantic analysis approach. The similarity between the related
research with this present research is figurative language in Taylor Swift's songs.
What is found different from the object is Taylor Swift's album songs. The
contribution of Wahyuningtyas's thesis to this present research leads to help in
identifying the types of figurative language and find out the meanings of figurative
language that adapts the songs.
The second study is conducted by Lusiana et al. entitled "Figurative
Language Used in Taylor Swift's Songs in the Album 1989" ( 2017). Similar to the
previous study, this present research discusses figurative language. The writers
observed the types of figurative language employed in the 1989 Album of Taylor
Swift's song Lyrics. This first journal discusses the meaning of figurative language
and also finds out the lexical meaning. The research of Lusiana found eight types
of figurative speech employed in all the five songs in the 1989 Album. The eight
types of figurative language are simile, metaphor, personification, synecdoche,
hyperbole, irony, dead metaphor, and paradox. They used the documentation
methodology. They concluded that the figurative language meaning is different
from the lexical meaning. Through the Lusiana’s research can be conclude that the
meaning is contrasted with each other. It also concluded that the meanings of
figurative language are much deeper and more impressive than the lexical
meanings.
10
The third related study is "The Analysis of Figurative Language Used in
the Lyric of Firework by Katy Perry (A Study of Semantic)" by Hariyanto (2017).
This journal article uses figurative language in order to analyze the contextual
meaning of the figurative language used in the lyrics of Firework by Katy Perry.
The researcher found some figurative languages in this journal article. The
figurative languages found in this study are three similes, one personification, five
hyperboles, one paradox, seven symbolics, four affiliations, and one metaphor.
They are applied in that song as the messages of the text in song firework in order
to create a beautiful meaning and creative literature so the reader will be interested
in listening to the song. This research is designed to identify some figurative
languages used by Katy Perry in her song entitled "firework" by understanding the
general meaning when they are used in the lyric song. This study uses a semantic
theory to analyze the contextual meaning of figurative language. The study is a
linguistic journal study that gives a contribution to this study is how to find the
types and analyze figurative language through the semantic theory.
The fourth related study is an undergraduate thesis, "The Meaning of
Figurative Language in Zeppelin's Stairway To Heaven," by Aprilianingrum
(2019). This study also focuses on the meaning of figurative language. The study
discusses the meaning of figurative language applied in Led Zeppelin's Stairway to
Heaven. The researcher explains the type of figurative language used in Led
Zeppelin's Stairway to Heaven. The researcher also solves the meanings of the song
by using a semantic feature. The researcher is focused on an object, which is the
song of Led Zeppelin, Stairway to Heaven. The data of the study was collected
11
through the music website www.azlyrics.com. The result of the study, after finding
its figurative language, the researcher divided the object based on the literal and
figurative meaning. The researcher also explains the meaning of semantic features
to answer the research problems. The research is different from the study by
Aprilianingrum is because the object is not the same as this study. This researcher
also focuses on the analysis of the figurative expressions and the meaning of those
figurative expressions as well. In Aprilianingrum's study, this research contributes
to this research by deciding and finding out the meaning of the figurative language,
which are revealed by using semantic features and concludes the songs contain
about life value and concerns with human's lives.
The studies as mentioned above applied figurative language discussions
either in different data or approaches Taylor Swift's Red Album and stylistics
approach (Wahyuningtyas, 2019), Taylor Swift's 1989 Album and semantic
approach (Lusiana et al., 2017), Firework album of Katy Perry, and semantic
approach (Hariyanto, 2017), and Zeppelin's Stairway To Heaven and semantic
approach (Aprilianingrum, 2019). This present thesis aims to develop a semantic
approach in song, especially in Taylor Swift's Speak Now album. This present thesis
also improves Perrine's theory about figurative language in order to analyze song
lyrics as the data. Semantic features analysis applied in the present thesis is
expected to shed light on how semantics is closely related to deriving figurative
expression's intended messages, which is a powerfully communicative spoken
utterance in song lyrics.

12
B. Review of Related Theories
1. Semantics
In linguistics, the theory of semantics describes as a study that deals with
meaning by the use of phrases or words rather than what someone or an individual
speaker might think or mean. Yule declares that "semantics is the study of the
meaning of words, phrases, and sentences" (Yule, 2020, p. 129). Semantics theory
focuses on the term that is created. The function of semantics is to interpret the
word or sentences wider through the understanding of what the author exactly wants
to deliver. In semantics, we have to think of more than one interpretation. It may
have more than one meaning (Cann, 1993, p. 1). Therefore, the two conditions
above can be the foundation for analyzing semantics study because semantics is the
knowledge that all aspects of the meaning study.
2. Semantic Features
Semantics has some branches, and one of them is semantic features. In
this research, the researcher applies semantic features to determine the meaning of
the words. Semantic features are also called semantic properties, which are part of
word meanings, reflecting our knowledge of the words (Fromkin et al., 2014). The
use of semantic features such as a tool to the researcher knows the meaning of the
words. An example is in the word 'mom.' It carries the use of semantic features that
clarifies how certain words relate to other words.
A method to clarify how words are related to other words or determine
semantic features is called semantic opposition. Semantic oppositions are the
dimensions of meaning (Leech, 1981, p. 90).

13
The use of semantic oppositions helps to analyze the meaning by using a
formula called componential definitions. The formula that it describes by adding
labels of (+positive) or (-negative) to the features of the words (Leech, 1981). The
example is in the word ‘Mom’ it brings [+animate], [+female], [+kid]. Therefore,
the use of semantic features is such a helpful method to show the meanings.
3. Componential Analysis
In a language, the role of semantic features uses to analyze how words are
or are not connected to each other. Componential analysis is the essential elements
or components of word meaning in an approach of features as illustrated by one
collection of related words (Yule, 2020, p. 131).
Further interpretation of componential analysis is in the table below.
Mom Dad
Animate + +
Female + -
Kid + +
From the table above, the componential analysis of the mom and dad gives
the formula that it describes by adding labels sign of (+positive) or (-negative) to
the features of the related words. The componential analyses of mom are
[+Animate], [+Female], and [+Kid]. Meanwhile, the dad’s componential analyses
are [+Animate], [-Female], and [+Kid].

14
Therefore, componential analysis is the representation of how the semantic
features can be presented, or the use of componential analysis is to show or express
the semantic features. Componential analysis helps to adjust the components or
features based on the context of the sentence characteristic in a language word as
the container that carries the meaning of components.
4. Figurative language
Perrine gives a definition of figurative language as a language that takes a
non-literal meaning (Perrine, 1969, p. 65). The reason why figurative language is
primarily used in a song lyric is to beautify and make the song more exciting,
attractive, and entertaining. Through the figurative language, the song becomes
more beautiful and interesting because the song has a meaning that could not be
interpreted literally. Significantly, figurative language leads the implicit meaning
in the phrase of song lyrics. Figurative language also always gives emotional effects
and persuasion to engage the readers.
The implementation of figurative language is usually to express what
people want to deliver something different. Perrine states that "figurative language
affords us imaginative pleasure" (Perrine, 1969, p. 71). The use of figurative
language aims to express what the speaker wants to deliver differently. Figurative
language usually uses in literary work to show what the author thought. A figurative
expression can be defined as the media for the readers to understand life's meaning
from the theories above.

15
There are four types of figurative language in this present research such
are:
a. Simile
A simile is a speech figure that speech compares one thing to others
(Perrine, 1969, p. 65). In a simile, there is a characteristic which indicates by using
some connective words. It usually uses like, and as in order to compare things.
b. Hyperbole
Hyperbole is a figure of speech that consists of an exaggerated expression
(Perrine, 1969, p. 110). The use of hyperbole makes common human feelings
remarkable and intense to such an extent that they do not remain ordinary by the
speaker.
c. Synecdoche
Synecdoche is the use of the part for the whole(Perrine, 1969).
Synecdoche identifies a rule which applies the term to the whole thing, but it just
means the reference of the part. It is just words being used as a reference to a
concept. This thesis found two synecdoche expressions that were used in Speak
Now Taylor Swift's song.
d. Symbol
A symbol is something that has more meaning than what it is the symbol
(Perrine, 1969, p. 83). The characteristic of a symbol that Perrine also states a
symbol might best understand as an implied metaphor (Perrine, 1969, p. 82).

16
In this present research, the theory of figurative language leads the
researcher to observes the reveal of figurative language that contains figures of
speech in the song lyric. This theory of figurative language also helps the researcher
in order to interpret the interpretation of intended meanings or messages throughout
the figures of speech that are conveyed. The first step is to read the lyrics several
times to understand the songwriter's aims. Second, find the use of f igurative
language in the song lyric by classifying the lines based on figurative language
types and figure out their meaning. The last is to find the theme in figurative
language using a semantic approach, which concerns the literary work itself.
5. Theory of Theme
A discussion on a theme is a crucial term to get the central idea. A theme
is defined as the general idea or insight expressed through the whole song (Kennedy
& Gioia, 2012, p.175). In a language, using a theme helps organize the words or
clauses and construe an intended meaning.
The theme also has a crucial role in order to understand a song from the
author’s perspective. Therefore, a theme helps to understand how to discover the
first or starting point from the intended meaning or message and such a major
element in order to find out a text is coherent. In the literary work of song, the theme
is such a really important element and the main foundation since it delivers through
the thought of the author.

17
Based on the statement of Holman and Harmon, the theme illustrates an
abstract concept of the storyline through the representation of literary work , which
is a song, theme as a prime element to represent the whole part of literary work such
are the person or subject, image, and also an action that is made concretely (Holman
et al., 1992).
Theme is known as a central idea, and there are some steps in order to
discover or determine the theme in a literary work. Before starting to determine the
theme, the researcher should be sure and understand well what is exactly happen in
the story or plot, the setting of the story or setting, characterization of the story, and
also the main problem or the conflict of the story(Determining Theme, n.d.). Then
look forward to how the story presents the message or lesson. The four steps are
mentioned below:
a. The first thing that the research should do is summarize the plot. Draw the plot
by a short summary. Focus on the exposition, conflict, rising action, climax,
falling action until the resolution of the whole story article of literary work. Pay
attention to story elements, structures and text features.
b. The second is identifying the subject or subjects in the whole story in literary
work. By understanding what is the story about.
c. The third step is to look at the way or how the subject or topic is treated. It can
be known by analyzing how the characters, the issue arises in the conflict and
also what lesson that can be learned.
d. The last step is to state how the story shows a lesson or message about the
subject.
18
C. Theoretical Framework
In doing this thesis, there are two main problems analyzed. This research
focuses on the figurative language types used in the album and the theme
constructed from the meanings of figurative language. This research depends on the
use of several theories such as semantic theory, semantic features, componential
analysis, figurative language, and theory of theme.
In this present research, the researcher also puts in the ambience, vibe, and
history of the lyrics containing the figurative language or the following lyrics
without the figurative language that supports the theme constructed. By putting
those aspects, the researcher elaborated them to clarify and support the theme or
central ideas.
The five theories above help the researcher to answer the problems. The
use of figurative language meaning is the focus of this study. The theory of
figurative language by Perrine helps the researcher to analyze non -literal words,
which are unusual words. The figurative language theory is the core that is applied
to solve the figurative language is found in the "Speak Now" song.

19
The second question concerns the theme constructed from the reflected
meanings of the figurative language. Significantly, the dominance of figurative
language meanings will determine Swift's theme in the use of song lyrics. The
researcher answers the theme constructed of the song lyrics in the Speak Now lyrics
by semantic theory, semantic features, componential analysis, the theory of theme,
and other proven explanations through the ambience, vibe, history of the lyrics that
contain the figurative language or the following lyrics without the figurative
language that support into the theme constructed.
The semantics theory helps the writer find the meaning of the intended
message and elaborate with the theory of meaning. The use of semantic features
also supports the research to describe the meaning of figurative language.

CHAPTER III
METHODOLOGY
The discussion of this chapter has three main parts. The three main parts
are the object or data of the study, the approach of the study, and the method of the
analysis. In the first part, the identity of the song is discussed in the study. Next, in
the second part, the approaches that are applied in this study as clear reasons why
the approach is selected. And the last part is the method of the study, which is
separated into two elaboration sections that include data collection and data
analysis.
A. Object of the Study
The researcher presented the clause of figurative language analysis, which
occurs in a song entitled "Speak Now" by Taylor Swift as the object of this study.
The words in the song "Speak Now" are observed to find out the types and meanings
of the figurative language, and the song lyrics were taken from the most famous
music website in order to find the song lyrics, namely genius.com
The selected song of "Speak Now" by Taylor Swift that is chosen in this
study is "Speak Now." The song is such as Taylor Swift's country-pop song, which
was released in October 2010 and had 217.000 big sales digital download
achievement at the number eight of Billboard Hot 100. The "Speak Now" song also
earned number eight of the track debuted at the Canadian Hot 100. This song
contains some untold meanings that need many interpretations of the song. Those
song lyrics are selected under the same theme, such as love, romance, heartbreak,
and forgiveness.
20
21
To make the analysis more accessible, the researcher took the main idea
of the songs, which describe a relationship and friendship that took the pain and
turmoil of a failed relationship and turned them into powerful spirit songs. The story
value of a human's life journey to reach the purpose of love is told indirectly in this
song lyrics. "Speak now" song also has a deep meaning to human beings who
always find love without giving up.
B. Approach of the Study
Since the data are words, mainly terms, a semantic approach is chosen to
discuss the meanings of the song lyrics. Palmer gives the definitions of semantics
as the study of meanings, words, and sentences(Palmer, 1981). Since semantics
deal with meaning, it concerns the way meaning works in a language. Therefore,
the terms are observed focusing on the song lyrics in order to figure out the non -
literal words or the use of figurative language.
This study applies the semantic approach since the study focuses on
finding more meanings of the song lyrics. Moreover, according to Yule (2020). in
a language, semantics distributes the use of words, phrases, and sentences with
conventional meaning. Therefore, how the theme of the song lyrics is constructed
is seen through the dominant meanings reflected of figurative language applying
the semantic features.
C. Method of the Study
In order to make the study more detailed, this part is divided into two sub-
parts. How the researcher collects the data is discussed in the first part, namely,
data collection. In the second part, in order to answer the study problem
22
formulation, the researcher represents how the data are analyzed.
e. Data Collection
This study is a qualitative study that is no numerical data, statistical
analysis, and also empirical calculation(Brink, 1993). The purpose of qualitative
research is to describe thoughts, feelings, or phenomena from the researcher's point
of view that creates or develops meaningful understandings from their experiences.
The researcher collected the data of the research based on a sample. The
researcher also applied a population study because th e researcher decided to
analyze the Speak Now song as the sample of the study. The study produced data
in the form of words, for example, transcribed song lyrics for its object.
Before starting the data collection, the researcher listened to Taylor
Swift's song Speak Now on the online music platform called Spotify. By listening
to the Speak Now song lyrics sympathetically and attentively, the researcher aims
to understand the song lyrics carefully. Then, in order to collect the data of this
present research, the researcher collected all the Speak Now song lyrics through the
musical website, namely genius.com, as society knows it as the most used, famous,
and legal musical entertainment website.
In the second step, after collecting the song lyrics as the data of the
research, the researcher arranged the words, clauses, and sentences that take the
qualities of figurative expression. The researcher observed the song lyrics to find
the lyrics that contain figurative language.

23
The researcher divided the song lyrics that containing figurative language
as the data analysis into two parts. The researcher divided by examining the song
lyrics that consist or have a literal meaning and a non-literal meaning. In this study,
the researcher focused on the non-literal meaning found in Speak Now song. The
researcher took a note and highlighted some clauses that containing non -literal
meaning in each song lyrics.
The third step, as the last step, is the researcher transcribed the data or the
clause of figurative language in song lyrics that have non-literal meaning that is
based on the theories such as semantic theory and figurative language theory that
are proved and used in this study. Next is the data of the study that could be used
for further analysis in order to answer the problem formulations in this present
research.
f. Data Analysis
There are several processes in order to analyze the data of the study. This
study tries to analyze and answer two problems that are, to categorize the figurative
language that used in Speak Now and to discover a theme that constructs through the
figurative expression in Speak Now.
In order to answer the first problem in this present research, the first is the
researcher identifies the types of figurative language in this study. The researcher
classifies the types of figurative expressions found in Speak Now by using the theory
of figurative language from Perrine's theory. The researcher identified the phrases
or sentences of song lyrics that have a figurative expression by matched them to
each type of Perrine's figurative language theory characteristic. The researcher found
24
eight figurative languages and four types of figurative expressions that have their
own characteristics. Next is the researcher analyzed the figurative languages that
found in Speak Now song lyrics based on the characteristic of each figurative
language types. If simile expressions, the song lyrics can be analyzed by comparing
one thing to others and use some connective words such are like and as. Hyperbole
is based on its characteristic, which is an exaggerated figure of speech. Synecdoche
expression is identified as a term or word that is used as a reference to a concept.
And the last type characteristic of figurative expressions in this research is the
symbol. The symbol in figurative expression identifies something that has more
meaning than what is present in the symbol.
After that, the researcher uses English Dictionary and some proven
websites in order to find the literal meaning of the data in this research. The
researcher interprets the figurative language meaning of Taylor Swift's Speak Now
song lyrics and identifies the relation of the clauses and words based on the context
in order to find the meaning of figurative language in the song lyrics. The result is
the research found the types of figurative expression and also its literal and non-
literal meaning in Speak Now song lyrics.
After compare the meaning between literal meaning and figurative
meaning, the researcher applied the semantic feature from each lyric that has been
discussed one by one by knowing the figurative and literal meaning. The researcher
also inserted a table to answer the second research question, which was to analyze
what theme is constructed from the dominant meaning of figurative expressions.

25
In order to find the constructed theme of the second research question in
this research, the researcher read all the meanings and types of the figurative
expressions that have been identified. Then the researcher makes a statement that
covers topics or issues portrayed from figurative expressions. Next, the researcher
concluded the constructed theme by elaborating the shared semantic features in this
research. The constructed theme will be followed on how the explanation of the
figurative expression be apart or constitute the theme.

CHAPTER IV
ANALYSIS RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
The researcher presents the analysis results and figurative language
discussions in Speak Now song lyrics in this chapter. There are two parts to this
chapter. The first subchapter is the analysis data results of figurative language in
Taylor Swift's song lyrics Speak Now. The last subchapter is the second subchapter
that discusses the theme of figurative language in Speak Now.
A. Figurative Language in SPEAK NOW
This part contains the analysis explanations of figurative language in
Taylor Swift's song lyrics Speak Now. The first step analysis in this part is the
classification of the figurative language type from the most data found in the song
lyrics. In order to know the literal meaning of figurative 1anguage in Speak Now
song lyrics, the researcher continues the analysis by finding the meaning of the
figurative language based on the context. The summary and analysis of the results
are presented below.
Table 1. Summary of Figurative Language in Song Lyrics
NO. Types of Figurative Frequency(s) Percentage(s)

Language
1. Simile 3 37.5%
2. Hyperbole 2 25%
3. Synecdoche 2 25%
4. Symbol 1 12.5%
Total 8 100%
26
27
1. Simile
Table 2. Song Lyrics Containing Simile
No. Song Lyrics

1. Wearing a gown shaped like a pastry
2. A song that sounds like a death march
3. She floats down the aisle like a pageant queen
The table above presents the result of the analysis in Speak Now song
lyrics. There are three similes that the researcher found in Speak Now song lyrics.
The explanations of the song lyrics, which contain the similes above, are presented
below.
Table 3. Simile in Speak Now
Figurative Literal Semantic Figurative Semantic Shared

Expression Meaning Feature Meaning Feature Semantic
Features
Wearing a A [+edible] The gown [-flaky] [+puffy]
gown woman’s [+flaky] that the [-edible] [+celebrat
shaped like special [+puffy] bride [+puffy] ory]
a pastry occasions [+celebrat wears at [+celebrat
dress that ory] the ory]
is crumbly, wedding
crisp cuts full of
similar to layers and
the baked designed
product, many
which is a shreds.
mixture of
flour and a
little
water.
28
The sentence of wearing a gown shaped like a pastry contains simile
expression because this lyric expresses the connector comparison word "like." In
the literal meaning, the term shaped like a pastry has a meaning of something that
crumbly, crisp, small tart, and sweet baked product. Which mixture of flour and a
little water (Hornby & Turnbull, 2010).
As in the figurative meaning, Swifts declares a comparison between the
bride's gown with the shape of a pastry, which means the gown that the bride wears
at the wedding cuts full of layers and designed many shreds. However, the bride's
gown that she wears has a similar look to the pastry's shape. This sentence considers
the bride's gown to look like a puffy pastry because the gown that the bride wears
consist of many layers. And the wedding gown draws a meaning of dress that the
bride wears in her big and special occasion since the wedding as a big ceremony.
Therefore, the researcher states the semantic features are [+celebratory] and
[+puffy]. Taylor uses a comparison between a gown and a shape of pastry to express
her reason for the bride's dress shape and the similarity between those two things.

Features
A song that A [+funerary] The [-funerary] [+somber]

sounds Chopin's [+monotonous] wedding [+monoton [+monotono
like a Funeral [+somber] song ous] us]
death March sounds [+somber]
march song of expressive
the U.S. ness or
Military monotone,
official unlike the
usual
29
death wedding
march. song.
The figurative expression above considers a simile because Swift
compares the situation of the wedding in the church. Especially the sound of a
church's song by using 'like' as the connective word. In literal meaning, a death
march has a meaning of A Chopin's Funeral March song of the U.S. Military official
death march. (The History of the “Dead March” Played before Military Executions,
2019).
It is different from figurative expression meaning. The term death march
is associated with expressiveness or monotone of the wedding song that sounds,
unlike the usual wedding song. The author declares how the case in that wedding
event, especially the song when an organ begins to be played, then the atmosphere
becomes like the death march of a prisoner in a war parade which sounds cruel.
Therefore, in the semantic feature, the researcher gives [+somber] and
[+monotonous] as it represents the sad vibes and situations of the wedding
occasion.
Figurative Literal Semantic Figurativ Semantic Shared

Expression Meaning Feature e Feature Semantic
Meaning Features
30
She floats A [+confident] The bride [+confident] [+confident]

down the beautiful [+competiti looks like [- [+poise]
aisle like a young ve] the competitive]
pageant woman [+poise] wonderful [+poise]
queen who has a queen that
brilliant is similar
mind and in a
skill. pageant
festival.
The sentence of the song lyric above contains a simile expression because
it compares the act and the appearance of the bride with how a woman in a beauty
contest. In literal meaning, based on Oxford dictionary pageant has a meaning a
beautiful young woman and has brilliant skill competition. Meanwhile, the word
pageant in figurative meaning refers to a bride who walks in as a beauty queen
(Hornby & Turnbull, 2010). Therefore, the literal meaning is a beautiful young
woman who has a brilliant mind and skill. Figurative language meaning gives a
different perception. The term pageant queen is associated with the pageant queen's
characteristics. The figurative expression delivers a meaning of the bride walks as
the wonderful queen that is similar in a pageant festival. Therefore, the researchers
give [+confident]. Pageant in the Speak Now song lyric describes the bride like a
beautiful, brave, and intelligent queen-like in the beauty contest or show in a
pageant.
2. Hyperbole
Table 5. Hyperbole in Speak Now
No. Song Lyrics
1. She floats down the aisle like a pageant queen

31
2. I hear the preacher say, speak now or forever hold your peace
The table above presents the result of Hyperbole in Speak Now song
lyrics. Those are two hyperbole expressions that the researcher found in Speak Now
song lyrics. The explanations of the song lyrics, which contain the simile above, are
presented below.
Figurative Literal Semantic Figurativ Semantic Shared

Expressio Meaning Feature e Feature Semantic
n Meaning Features
She floats Something [-gravita- The [+gravita- [+move-

down the or someone tional] beautiful tional] able]
aisle like a stays on the [+move- bride [+move-
pageant surface of a able] walks able]
queen liquid or smoothly
water enter the
without church
sinking or among all
falling to the guests.
the bottom.
The lyric above contains hyperbole by looking at the word floats. In fact,
someone cannot stay on the surface of the aisle beautifully like a queen. In the literal
meaning, floats mean someone who stays and makes something move on near a
liquid's surface and does not sink in the bottom of something (Hornby & Turnbull,
2010).
However, the term of floats in this lyric has a meaning of something or
someone who stays on the surface of a liquid or water without sinking or falling in
the bottom.
32
This is such an expression of exaggerating and also an over-statement of
the bride's motion in the lyrics. It draws the bride who walks smoothly enter the
church among the wedding's guests beautifully, and it looks like a woman in a
beauty contest or a pageant. Therefore, the researcher decides that the semantic
feature is [+moveable] and [+poise].

Features
I hear the Something [+timely] A last [+timely] [- [+timely]

preacher say or [+everlas chance of everlasting]
speak now situation ting] objection [-eternal]
or forever that [+eternal]
hold your always
peace exist
Table 7 above shows the song lyric, which contains the hyperbole
meaning of the figurative expression. Speak now or forever hold your peace such
an exaggerated expression; therefore, the lyrics categorize as hyperbole. In literal
meaning, according to Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary, forever means
something or a situation that always exists (Hornby & Turnbull, 2010).
This utterance is supposed to show that Swift writes the lyric to declare
that the preacher gives one last chance to the groom. The preacher emphasizes to
the groom by this lyric "speak now or forever hold your peace" in order to fix his
wedding at that time. Therefore, the researcher gives the shared semantic feature in
this research is [+timely]. It refers to the last choice that the man takes after he
33
thought about his wedding in the church. By saying, "speak now or forever," the
author wants to deliver the last chance of objection to the groom. It means that the
time which the two of people in that special occasion should not get married.
3. Synecdoche
Table 8. Song lyrics containing synecdoche
No. Song Lyrics

1. Who should be rudely barging in on a white veil occasion?
2. I stand up with shaky hands, all eyes on me
According to table 8 above, those are two synecdoche expressions in
Speak Now song lyrics. The explanation of the synecdoche expression in the song
lyrics is analyzed further in the next discussion.
Table 9. Synecdoche in Speak Now

Features
Who should A fashion [+protecti A wedding [-protective] [+matrimo

be rudely accessory ve] or marriage [+matrimoni nial]
barging in that light- [+sacred] ceremony al] [+sacred] [+sacred]
on a white colour and [+matrim
veil very thin onial]
occasion? material. It
is the
bride
wears to
protect her
face.
The table above has the synecdoche, a white veil. In the literal meaning,
the term " white" is the colour of fresh milk, bone, or snow.
34
At the same time, the term veil is a very thin material that is especially
worn by the bride to protect her face and as a part of a hat in a wedding. Therefore,
"a white veil" refers to a fashion accessory that is light-colour and very thin
material. It is the bride wears to protect her face(Hornby & Turnbull, 2010).
On the other hand, Swift indicates a purified situation where the bride is
in a marriage ceremony. So, the researcher decides that the shared semantic features
are [+matrimonial] and [+sacred].
Table 10. Synecdoche in Speak Now

Features
I stand up Parts of [+physical] The stare [+visual] [+visual]

with shaky two [+visual] or gaze of [-physical]
hands, all organs wedding
eyes on me of sight invitation
on a guests.
human's
face.
In table 10 above, Swift uses that synecdoche expression to designate or
emphasize the importance of a certain specific part of a whole thing. In the literal
meaning, the word all eyes mean the whole number of the parts of two organs of
sight on a human's face (Hornby & Turnbull, 2010).
Specifically, in this figurative meaning, Swift uses the term all eyes to
refer to the stare of people or wedding invitation guests who attend the wedding
ceremony. In this way, Swift uses figurative language in order to imply to the reader
35
that the people or wedding invitation guests on occasion focus on the existence of
the groom's ex. Therefore, the researcher gives [+visual] as the shared semantic
features.
4. Symbol
Table 11. Symbol in Speak Now
No. Song Lyrics

1. Your time is running out
The last figurative language found in Speak Now lyrics is a symbol. The
researcher found one line of song lyrics that used symbols. The table above
considers the symbol in Speak Now song lyrics. A furthermore explanation will be
in the table below.
Table 12. Symbol in Speak Now

Features
Your time is There is no [+finishe A wake-up [+urgent] [+urgent]

running much time d] call for the [+speedy] [+speedy]
out left in order [+urgent] groom. In [-finished]
to achieve [+speedy order to
something. ] take any
action or
change a
situation.
In table 12 above, the symbol expression is found from the phrase your
time is running out. It significantly considers the relation between two words,' time'
and 'running out.'

36
Based on Cambridge, the term 'running out' means the part of existence
(Cambridge Dictionary, 2021). Furthermore, the literal meaning of 'running out' is
that there is not much time left to achieve something (Hornby & Turnbull, 2010).
The literal meaning of 'running out' has meaning there is not much time
left to achieve something. On the other hand, the figurative expression has a
meaning of a wake-up call for the groom to take action or change a situation.
However, from those two definitions, it can be understood that the word 'time' and
'running out' have the same semantic features are [+urgent] and [+speedy].
In order to get the phrase "your time is running" meaning, it probably
should look at the previous line of the song lyrics. According to the fact, the
semantic features [+urgent] and [+speedy] might suggest that there is no time
anymore for the groom is a symbol of rejection because he has not to say a single
vow at that time.
Therefore, the phrase "your time is running out" means rejection of the
chance to say a single vow. Furthermore, after knowing the existence of the groom's
ex at the church, he realizes not to marry the wrong girl in that situation and should
be with his true love and the right person.
B. Theme Constructed from The Derive Meaning of The Figurative Language
The researcher found that eight figurative languages occurred in Speak
Now Taylor Swift's song lyrics in the previous discussion part. The five figurative
languages found within the song are simile, hyperbole, synecdoche, and symbol.
The meaning of the figurative expressions has also been presented and
explained in the previous part. In this part, the researcher focuses on the figurative
37
language in order to get the possible theme that can be constructed from the
figurative language of Taylor Swift's Speak Now that has been discussed.
Theme Constructed from Simile

Theme Figurative Expression Figurative Meaning
Splendor Wearing a gown shape like a pastry The gown that the bride
wears at the wedding
cuts full of layers and
designed many shreds.
Oddness A song that sounds like a death The wedding song
march sounds expressiveness or
monotone, unlike the
usual wedding song.
Self- She floats down the aisle like a The bride looks like the
assurance pageant queen wonderful queen that
similar in a pageant
festival
Theme Constructed from Hyperbole
Jealousy She floats down the aisle like a The beautiful bride
pageant queen walks smoothly enter the
church among all the
guests.
Decisiveness I hear the preacher say, speak now or A last chance of
forever hold your peace objection
Theme Constructed from Synecdoche
Purity Who should be rudely barging in on A wedding or marriage
a white veil occasion? ceremony
Self- I stand up with shaky hands, all eyes The stare of wedding
assurance on me invitation guest
Theme Constructed from Symbol
Decisiveness Your time is running out A wake-up call for the
groom to take action or
change a situation
In this thesis, the researcher focuses on the phrases that do not literally say
as figurative in Taylor Swift's Speak Now song lyrics. In the previous chapter, the
researcher has explained the figurative expressions which appear in the song lyrics.
38
And also, by analyzing the figurative language meanings in the preceding
discussion. The following table below presents the summary of the theme
constructed through the types of figurative expressions.
As mentioned above, the theme is constructed through the figurative
expressions in Speak Now song, the researcher needs to compare that aspect with
the theme through the library research that the researcher has searched and found.
Following the theme of the library research, the researcher states that Speak Now
the song has a theme that exemplifies the ex's frustration is feeling throughout her
last relationship with the groom in this song. By listening, knowing, and
understanding the lyrics, the listener could easily know that this song has such a
heart-wrenching feeling through betrayal and resentment of the ex's last love
journey.
Meanwhile, by presenting the semantic features, the researcher could
create representations to the song's listeners or the reader of the song lyrics of the
theme constructed through the figurative expression. In contrast with the theme
through the library research as mentioned before, after finding the semantic
meaning reveals, the theme constructed in Speak Now is a finding love theme with
a happy ending.
Moreover, the subject of this song or the ex is more motivated to fight for
her true love by understanding the figurative expressions in the lyrics. It is not a sad
song, but she realizes that she has a past love story that she and the ex are still
having the same feeling each other. Therefore, in this part, the researcher develops
the theme-constructed discussion through figurative expressions below.

39
1. Theme Constructed from Simile
In this part, the first theme constructed in Taylor Swift's Speak Now lyrics
is presented through the use of simile. In the simile, there are thre e figurative
expressions with one or more semantic features that can be associated as the
keyword to find out a theme constructed through the figurative expressions.
Firstly, splendour is a theme constructed through the lyric's lyric of
"wearing gown shaped like a pastry." In this first simile expression, the researcher
decides the lyric fits with the theme "splendour" because the author compares the
shape of the pastry and the bride's gown at the wedding.
As described previously, the lyric above contains simile in an expression
of the "wearing a gown shaped like a pastry." From the phrase "shape like a pastry,"
it can be known as the bride is the person or noun in this wedding. The bride is
doing an action which is wearing. Therefore, the use of the adjective "shaped" is
understood that the physical appearance of the bride's gown is luxurious and
glorious as it is in the figurative meaning discussed previously.
Depending on the context of the figurative expression, the splendour theme
fits into this figurative expression that the gown which the bride wears in the
wedding cuts full of layers and designed many shreds. From the explanation that
the word "shaped" represents as a simile because it is an expression of physical
comparison of the wedding itself. Therefore, it has the semantic feature [+puffy]
and [+celebratory] because the bride's gown is similar to the characteristic of
pastry's shape, which puffy means that it contains many layers. The semantic
features [+puffy] represents the characteristic of the gown is big, large, round and
40
consist many layers which look the same as the characteristic of pastry shape. Both
of the two semantic features are illustrated to the bride's gown, which she we ars,
and the semantic feature of [+celebratory] portrays a wedding as a glorious and
luxurious ceremony in someone’s life and such a special occasion. The splendour
theme fits into the semantic features of [+puffy] and [+celebratory] since both
semantic features draw something grand occasion and impressive beautiful gown
that the bride wears.
Oddness is the second theme constructed of the one figurative expression
through the derive meaning and the semantic features that are associated with simile
expression. The lyric of the simile expression above, "a song that sounds like a
death march,” fits into the "Oddness" theme. It is because this expression of simile
has a meaning of Chopin's Funeral March song of the U.S. Military o fficial death
march, which is such an unusual song of music that plays on the wedding occasion.
However, the second simile expression's lyric creates the feature [+somber] and
[+monotonous]. This brings a contradiction statement through the semantic
meaning of the figurative expression. Significantly it delivers a non-common or an
odd wedding condition. As we know, that wedding occasion always tends to be a
happy and romantic vibe. Moreover, the contrary statement is depicted through the
exact wedding features, which is [+joyful], but it contrasts through the features of
the song that is played in the wedding occasion [+somber], and [+monotonous].
Therefore, the theme of oddness supports the contradictory meaning.

41
The semantic feature portrays a gloomy situation on a special wedding
occasion. The author writes this lyric in order to compare the song in the wedding
that is similar to the sound of a funeral song. By saying this lyric, the author also
describes an unhappy vibe by comparing a sad song played on a special occasion.
A wedding is the most special day in someone's life, especially for the
bride or groom. Therefore, choosing the perfect music or song is the important thing
in order to entertain, set a romantic atmosphere and make the guest remember
someone's big day because they take part in the joy of the great energies of wedding
song. On the other hand, the oddness theme in this simile expression leads to crying
and desperate emotion. It sounds weird when Chopin's Funeral March is played on
the wedding occasion because it represents death and failure. Especially it is not
such great music that can help the bride and groom vow the crowd of happiness
mood celebration.
Thirdly is the discussion about the theme constructed from simile, "Self -
assurance," summarized in this part. The lyric of "she floats down the aisle like a
pageant queen" is the last simile expression. A wedding is a sacred occasion when
two people decide to get united in marriage.
On the other hand, it is different from Taylor Swift's song, entitled Speak
Now, especially in the third simile expression, which talks about the characteristic
of a pageant queen, and the author compares it with the bride in a wedding
ceremony. The semantic features of the figurative expression above are
[+confident] and [+poise]. The phrase "a pageant queen" has the literal meaning of
a beautiful young woman who has a brilliant mind and skill that compete in a
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competition. However, from the use of the adjective confident, it is understood that
the bride walks among the wedding guest to enter the church in order to show her
strong feeling and believe that she will be married to her soulmate as the right
person.
To be convinced on the context of the figurative expression and from the
explanation that the next following lyric that the author intends to tell the groom
that she is the right person or woman who should marry him. It is proven in the lyric
of the third simile expression in this song. Therefore, it fits the "Self-assurance"
theme because the lyric above illustrates that the bride's appearance and the way
she acts in the wedding show a high feeling and manner of confident standing and
walking among the guest. With high self -confidence, describe her as a person who
is not feeling nervous. She just shows how she feels loved, fabulous, and joy at the
wedding, and it is similar to how the pageant queen acts.
2. Theme Constructed from Hyperbole
The next part of the theme constructed in Taylor Swift's Speak Now lyrics
are presented through hyperbole in this section.
This second part of the theme constructed in Taylor Swift's Speak Now
lyrics are presented through hyperbole. In hyperbole, two figurative expressions
have one or more semantic features that can be associated with the keyword to find
out a theme through the figurative expressions.
This part, first in hyperbole discussion, is about the theme constructed of
"Jealousy" depicted through hyperbole. The theme of "Jealousy" appears in one
clause of Speak Now song lyrics that containing hyperbole.

43
The theme of "Jealousy" can be seen from using the figurative expression
that is analyzed and discussed in detail as follows below.
Jealousy is the theme constructed of the first figurative expression through
the derive meaning and the semantic features associated with hyperbole. The theme
is constructed of "Jealousy " through the phrase of the lyric "she floats down the
aisle like a pageant queen." The first explanation is taken through the figurative
expression, "she floats down the aisle like a pageant queen." The lyric contains
hyperbole through the word "floats down." This lyric fits into the theme " Jealousy"
due to the word "floats" in the figurative expression. It represents the action of the
bride when she walks to enter the church smoothly among the wedding guest. The
researcher creates [+moveable]. Moveable means that something that can be
moved. By saying this utterance, it draws the bride's action or movement when she
enters the church at that wedding. It brings jealousy to the ex because she feels like
in a romantic rival situation since the ex is in a complicated and heartfelt condition.
The semantic meaning brings the hyperbole expression that portrays the feeling of
being jealous of the ex to the bride. It is proven in the following lyric that depicted
through the semantic feature [+moveable] presents the insecurity feeling and the
ex's jealousy feeling because she is like in the competition between herself and the
bride who wants to be married to her ex. The ex feels that it is not fair due the groom
chooses the wrong person in order to be his wife.

44
The evidence shows through the next following lyrics of the third simile
expression, which are "but I know you wish it was me, you wish it was me, don’t
you?". Therefore, the jealousy theme fits into this figurative language of hyperbole
because it also supports by the next following lyrics. Even though the lyrics do not
have a figure of speech but it represents the jealousy feeling that the ex has. It
describes a bitter situation and the feeling of her being in a romantic rival. Second
is the theme constructed in hyperbole expression. The researcher decides the lyric
"forever hold your peace" in Speak Now fits into the theme "Decisiveness" because
the author emphasizes forever hold your peace has a figurative meaning of making
a definite result. The phrase "forever hold your peace" represents the Priest's or
preacher's utterance to the groom in order to ensure his wedding. By saying this
lyric, the priest wants to gives a last chance of objection at the wedding. Therefore,
the semantic features that the researcher creates through the literal meaning are
[+timely] because forever in the literal meaning is a moment that is always existing.
However, the author declares what the ex does to confess her chance a t the wedding
at that time.
The lyric above contains the "Decisiveness" theme because this utterance
of "forever hold your peace" actually means determining an ultimate goal of the
wedding or marriage, quickly and effectively at that time. This "Decisiveness"
theme draws an impediment to that wedding because by saying this utterance, the
groom has to make a quick and effective decision of the wedding vow. Decisiveness
theme occurs when the utterance of figurative expression above means the last
chance for an objection on the wedding occasion. At the wedding, this utterance
45
means speaking up and warning if someone knows of a real reason to cancel or stop
the marriage.
3. Theme Constructed from Synecdoche
The third in the next explanation of theme constructed can be presented
through the use of synecdoche in Taylor Swift's Speak Now lyrics. The figurative
expression has semantic features, and it can also be associated with the keywords
to find out of theme constructed. Furthermore, the explanation of two figurative
expressions in synecdoche that depicted the next theme is presented.
The first synecdoche expression in Speak Now lyric is "Who should be
rudely barging in on "a white veil occasion." The lyric contains a synecdoche of
figurative expression is from Taylor Swift's song entitled Speak Now. The lyric fits
into the "Purity" theme because the lyric talks about a special occasion called a
wedding or marriage. By saying a white veil occasion in this lyric such a
representation of the state of being married.
The term "a white veil" in literal meaning refers to the bride's fashion
accessory that the bride wears to protect her face and as a part of a hat in a wedding,
the figurative expression through the lyric above creates the semantic feature
[+matrimonial] and [+sacred] because the word "a white veil occasion" in the lyric
above relates or recognizes to a special moment or a purified situation that happens
in someone's life.
46
Based on the context of the figurative expression in the Speak Now lyric,
it is known that someone or the ex of the groom has a struggle on a holy wedding
occasion. She realizes if she interrupts the wedding occasion such inappropriate
behaviour in someone's special occasion. The lyric above presents an unpleasant
emotional feeling.
The unpleasant emotion is felt by the ex of the groom at the wedding. She
feels this feeling because she realizes inappropriate behaviour on a special occasion.
Still, she has to fight this struggle and has the courage to the groom to ensure h im
who has to be married to him. The utterance is also uncommon because the subject
or the groom's ex wants to remind him not to say yes at his sanctified wedding. On
the other hand, she is just a stranger and does not the kind of woman who can
interrupt the wedding process. It can be proven through before and after the line
phrase of lyric that she or the ex could not bother the wedding ceremony, but she
convinces him that he should not marry the wrong girl who is not his right choice
The next discussion in this theme constructed through the synecdoche
expression is on the lyric of "I stand up with shaky hands, "all eyes on me." The
researcher states the figurative expression fits into the "Self -assurance" theme. It
fits into theme of "self-assurance" is because the phrase "all eyes on me" shows the
subject's feeling of full confidence in her ability do her best in her love struggle
when she attends the wedding. The word "all eyes" has a literal meaning of the parts
of two organs of sight on a human's face.
Meanwhile, in the figurative meaning, the phrase all eyes on me
emphasizes the importance of a certain specific part of a whole thing. In this

47
figurative meaning, Swift uses the term "all eyes" to refer to the people or wedding
invitation guests who attend the wedding ceremony significantly, their gaze focused
on the existence of herself. Therefore, the researcher gives [+visual] as the shared
semantic features.
In this way, Swift uses figurative language, which fits into the theme
"Self-assurance" in order to indicate a feeling of poise and confidence that the
subject feels. Nevertheless, the fact that the subject feels self -assured is because she
has strong confidence in herself even though the stare of the guest is focused on
her. Even if it is a little ashamed or embarrassed in her, all she has to do is believe
that she can accomplish something best to stand up the true love between her and
the groom.
Even though the role of the groom's ex is not someone who got the
wedding invitation, but she comes with a mixed feeling. It is such her big effort to
keep her lover, especially since she wants to fight her true love. She knows that her
ex does not love the bride as much as he loves the ex. However, the ex comes and
shows herself to her ex. She proves and fights her love. She believes the groom still
has the same feeling for her even if they have been together in the past time.
4. Theme Constructed from Symbol
The last explanation of the theme constructed can be presented through
the use of symbol expression in Taylor Swift's Speak Now lyrics. The figurative
expression has semantic features, and it can also be associated as the keywords in
order to find out of theme constructed. Furthermore, one figurative expression in
the symbol that depicted the next theme is presented below.

48
The lyric "Your time is running out," such as the phrase lyric from Taylor
Swift's song, entitled Speak Now. This lyric fits into the "Decisiveness" theme. The
lyric talks warning or a wake-up call for the groom at the wedding. It draws the
wedding in an urgent situation of the groom.
Therefore, the researcher creates the semantic feature [-urgent] and
[+speedy] through this figurative expression. It is because of the urgent situation in
the wedding when there is no time anymore for the groom in order to say the
marriage vows in the church among the bride and all the wedding guests. This
utterance also means the groom has to be able in order to choose rejection quickly
and confidently because he has not to say a single vow at that time.
By implementing the semantic meaning through the semantic features of
the figurative expressions in Speak Now, the researcher has found out the theme
constructed of the analysis above. From all the themes constructed, which are
constituted by the meaning and clause of the figurative expression, it can sum up
by explaining the correlation between all the six themes constructed.
Speak Now is a song that has the secret message behind the figurative
expressions through the theme constructed in this song. Significantly, the
correlation of the six themes constructed shows a message that if you never try, you
will never know, and you will always regret what you don't say. As we know, this
song probably can be a sad song for the listener without knowing the intended
meaning of the figurative expressions.
All those six themes constructed that are examined correlate with each
other. The six themes constructed that are discussed above are splendour, purity,
49
oddness, self-assurance, jealousy, and decisiveness. Throughout all the six themes
constructed in this research, there are several themes that are straight in line with
the theme of the song. The theme is constructed through figurative language that
has a match the song theme. Such are self-assurance, jealousy, purity and
decisiveness. Those themes constructed are in line with the song theme because the
themes fit into the song lyrics' representation of heartbreak (Parmer, 2014). It is
depicted throughout “Speak Now” lyrics that represent the romantic ventures of the
author’s friend. The “Speak Now” album illustrates the finding love theme that has
a happy ending story. On the other hand, the theme constructed that is not fit to the
song theme such is splendour and oddness. The contribution of figurative language
and semantic features in this research significantly draws a new interpretation in
order to understand more of the intended meaning and theme constructed.
Start from the first theme constructed of simile expression, that can be
summed up that by knowing the semantic meaning of the figurative expression, the
theme constructed in simile expression is splendour. Splendour represents a
magnificent and brilliant appearance by explaining the splendour in the lyric of
wearing a gown shaped like a pastry. The theme represents a great excitement of
the wedding day that as humans usually know that wedding is something of the
biggest and important event in someone life. Then through the oddness theme
because it is a contradiction statement of the lyric, a song that sounds like a death
march.
50
It represents an unusual song that is played on the wedding occasion, and
also it is proven through the previous lyric that is before the figurative language the
organ starts play means that the organ of the musical instrument plays the funeral
march in that wedding. Next is the self-assurance in simile portrays brilliance and
confidence on how the ex of the groom fights for her role in the wedding occasion.
It is a self-assurance action since it draws the brilliance and beauty of the pageant
queen.
The second discussion is through the themes constructed in the themes in
hyperbole expression that can be summed up as the correlation between the two
themes constructed. In the hyperbole expressions, there are two themes constructed
which are jealousy and decisiveness.
The first theme constructed in the hyperbole expressions draws the ex's
jealousy feeling because she feels in the competition between herself and the bride
who wants to be married to her ex. The ex feels that it is not fair due the groom
chooses the wrong person in order to be his wife.
The evidence shows through the next following lyric of the third simile
expression, which says, "but I know you wish it was me, you wish it was me, don’t
you?". Therefore, the jealousy theme fits into this figurative language of hyperbole
because it also supports by the next following lyrics. Even though the lyrics do not
have a figure of speech but it represents the jealousy feeling that the ex has. It
describes a bitter situation and the feeling of her being in a romantic rival. This
theme represents the subject itself of her romantic ventures that she has done over
the past year with the groom, but both of them still have the same feeling to be
51
together again. And the next theme constructed in hyperbole is decisiveness draws
an optimism that is depicted through the groom, who has to decide and not to vow
to the bride because he should realize that he does not marry the right person. It is
proven through the figurative language of speak now or forever hold your peace.
And also, through the following lyrics, even though the following lyrics do not
contain a figure of speech, but also fits into the theme of decisiveness. The
following lyrics are fit into the decisiveness are “there’s the silence, there’s my last
chance”. It means that the groom has to take the result of his wedding.
In the synecdoche expressions, there are two themes constructed which
are purity and self-assurance. Through those two themes constructed in the
synecdoche, expressions can be drawn to a close theme of clarity. In the synecdoche
expressions, themes of purity and self -assurance have a correlation close to the
clarity theme. Firstly, the phrase "a white veil occasion" has a meaning of wedding
occasion. Through clarity, a white veil occasion has a meaning of a wedding which
draws an unblemished mark of a new fresh chapter beginning in someone life.
Secondly, in the phrase of all eyes on me, that has a meaning of the
wedding guest's stare or gaze to the groom's ex. Through that figurative expression,
it contains a self-assurance theme, and it also can be summed up to the theme of
clarity because clarity leads to the confidence of the ex's feeling. Through self-
assurance, the clarity of her soul gives her the confidence to speak up and express
her decision. And then let her emotions off and the struggle of the fight and find
true love with all the storm that she has to deal with because she realizes that she is
the better person to be chosen over the bride who is a wrong girl to the groom.
52
The last discussion is discussed through the themes constructed in the
symbol expression that can be concluded as themes constructed. In the symbol
expression, there is only one theme constructed, which is decisiveness. The theme
constructed is seen from the phrase of symbol expression "Your time is running
out." It contains a decisiveness theme because the figurative expression portrays an
urgent situation that the groom has to take. Because the lyric talks warning or a
wake-up call for the groom in the wedding and draw the wedding in an urgent
situation of the groom.
By saying the figurative expression, the preacher tends to remind him that
the time is up for the groom to say the single marriage vows in the church among
the bride and all the wedding guests. It is also a warning or wake -up call to the
groom that he has to be able to make a decision of rejection quickly and confidently
because he has not to say a single vow at that time to the bride.
CHAPTER V
CONCLUSION
This chapter is the last chapter in this study that presents a conclusion and
summary of the study on the previous chapter that has been discussed before. Speak
Now is a song written by Taylor Swift as the data of this study. In this present
research, the research answers the objectives of the study. The first is to identify the
figurative language in "Speak Now" lyrics. By identifying the symbolic terms, the
writer can relate to the second objective. The second objective is to construct the
theme that reveals through the use of figurative language in that song.
The researcher concentrates on the figurative expressions reveals in Speak
Now song lyrics. Since this study relies on a linguistic field, the researcher examines
figurative expression in Speak Now through the semantics approach in order to find
and analyze each type and meaning of figurative expressions. Furthermore,
semantic features and componential analysis are elaborated and offered to be the
approaches to helps the researcher examines to reveal the theme constructed of the
song.
The result of the analysis is based on the previous discussion, which found
four types that occur in the eight expressions of figurative language in Speak Now
song. These four types of figurative languages are categorized as simile, hyperbole,
synecdoche, and symbol. Simile becomes the dominant type of figurative
expression found in this study which occurs three times; meanwhile , hyperbole,
synecdoche twice times, and symbol just appears only one. In the first problem
formulation, which analyzes figurative expressions, both the literal and contextual
53
54
meanings are compared and examined in order to get the meanings throughout the
figurative expressions.
In order to make the analysis of figurative expressions in Speak Now
deeper, the researcher works further to discover the theme constructed of the Speak
Now song. The possible themes constructed are drawn from the meaning reveals
from the figurative expressions. Therefore, the semantic features from the first
problem formulation analysis are used to find out the possible theme constructed:
grandeur, oddness, self-assurance, purity, and decisiveness.
The "self-assurance" theme is such a dominant theme that is shown
through the use of simile, hyperbole, and synecdoche. Then next is the theme
"decisiveness," which is depicted from the use of hyperbole and symbol. The last
is theme constructed, which is oddness and purity that only occurred once in the
expression of the simile and synecdoche.
Therefore, according to the themes constructed revealed through the
semantic features, the researcher connects or relations between each theme . The
research also elaborates the analysis with the history, ambience of the figurative
expression and the following lyric without figurative expression but still support
and fit into the theme.
The six themes that it constructed are connected to each other because it
represents the great excitement of the wedding day that, as humans, we usually have
as the biggest and important event in someone's life, which such as holy matrimony
or a religious ceremony, but it portrays an uncommon wedding vibe as it should be.

55
And the core conclusion is even though the subject or the ex is at her ex's
wedding occasion, but she has to fight for her true love in order to make clear and
to make a decision of her romantic ventures that have done over the past year with
the groom since they know that both of them still have the same feeling to be
together again.
All of those themes constructed draws strong confidence and decisive of
the ex, or she has to let her emotions off and also the struggle of the fight and find
true love through all the storm that she has to deal with because she realizes that
she is the better person to be chosen over the bride who is a wrong girl to be married
to the groom.
The last is hope this present research can help and prove those other
writers or people who learn linguistic study, especially semantics fields, to find and
obtain a relevant topic analysis of the literary works. Moreover, the researcher
hopes this study could help the listener or student understand the types and meaning
of figurative language in a linguistic study because the song lyrics analysis through
the figurative expression is still rarely done. Further, the researcher hopes the
linguistic research can be developed for the further step and encouraged to establish
a similar topic by doing this research.

56
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59
APPENDICES
APPENDIX 1
Taylor Swift – Speak Now (Taylor Swift – Speak Now, n.d.)
I am not the kind of girl

Who should be rudely barging in
On a white veil occasion
But you are not the kind of boy
Who should be marrying the wrong girl
I sneak in and see your friends

And her snotty little family
All dressed in pastel
And she is yelling at a bridesmaid
Somewhere back inside a room
Wearing a gown shaped like a pastry
This is surely not

What you thought it would be
I lose myself in a daydream
Where I stand and say
Don't say yes, run away now

I'll meet you when you're out
Of the church at the back door
Don't wait or say a single vow
You need to hear me out
And they said, "speak now"
Fond gestures are exchanged

And the organ starts to play
A song that sounds like a death march
And I am hiding in the curtains
It seems that I was uninvited
By your lovely bride-to-be
She floats down the aisle

Like a pageant queen
But I know you wish it was me
You wish it was me (Don't you)

60

Your time is running out
[Interlude]
Ooh, la-da-da-da, oh
Ooh, ooh
(Say a single vow)
I hear the preacher say

"Speak now or forever hold your peace"
There's the silence, there's my last chance
I stand up with shaking hands, all eyes on me
Horrified looks from everyone in the room
But I'm only looking at you
I am not the kind of girl

Who should be rudely barging in
On a white veil occasion
But you are not the kind of boy
Who should be marrying the wrong girl
(Hehe!)
So don't say yes, run away now

And you say
"Let's run away now
I'll meet you when
I'm out of my tux at the back door
Baby, I didn't say my vows
So glad you were around when they said
'Speak now'"
61
APPENDIX 2: Figurative languages are found in Taylor Swift's "Speak

Now" lyrics
Figurativ Literal Non-Literal Shared Characterist Types of
e Meaning Meaning Semantic ic Figurativ
Expressio Features e
n Expressio
n
Wearing A The gown [+puffy] This lyric Simile
a gown woman’s that the [+celebratory contains the
shaped special bride wears ] connector
like a occasion at the comparison
pastry s dress wedding word "like."
that is cuts full of
crumbly, layers and
crisp designed
similar to many
the shreds.
baked
product,
which is
a mixture
of flour
and a
little
water.
A song A The wedding [+somber] This lyric Simile
that Chopin's song sounds [+monotonou contains the
sounds Funeral expressivene s] connector
like a March ss or comparison
death song of monotone, word "like."
march the U.S. unlike the
Military usual
official wedding
death song.
march.
She A The bride [+confident] This lyric Simile
floats beautiful looks like [+poise] contains the
down the young the connector
aisle like woman wonderful comparison
a who has queen that is word "like."
pageant a similar in a
queen brilliant pageant
mind and festival.
skill.
62
She Somethin The [+moveable] This lyric is hyperbole

floats g or beautiful an
down the someone bride exaggeratin
aisle like stays on walks g expression
a pageant the smoothly and also an
queen surface of enter the over-
a liquid or church statement.
water among
without all the
sinking or guests.
falling to
the
bottom.
I hear the Somethin A last [+timely] This lyric is hyperbole
preacher g or chance of an
say speak situation objection exaggeratin
now or that g expression
forever always and also an
hold exists over-
your statement.
peace
Who A fashion A [+matrimonial This lyric Synecdoc
should be accessory wedding ] describes he
rudely that light- or [+sacred] the part of
barging color and marriage something
in on a very thin ceremon for the
white material. y whole.
veil It is the
occasion bride
? wears to
protect
her face.
I stand Parts of The stare [+visual] This lyric Synecdoc
up with two or gaze describes he
shaky organs of of the part of
hands, all sight on a wedding something
eyes on human's invitation for the
me face. guests. whole.
Your There is A wake- [+urgent] The lyric Symbol

time is no much up call [+speedy] defines as
running time left for the something
out in order to groom. that has
achieve In order more
something to take meaning of
any
63
action or what it is
change a exactly.
situation.
64
APPENDIX 3: Theme constructed from the derived meaning of the

figurative language
Figurative Types of Figurative Constructed

Expression Figurative Meaning Theme
Expressions
Wearing a gown Simile The gown that the Splendor
shape like a bride wears at the
pastry wedding cuts full
of layers and
designed many
shreds.
A song that Simile The wedding Oddness
sounds like a song sounds
death march expressiveness
or monotone,
unlike the usual
wedding song.
She floats down Simile The bride walks Self-assurance
the aisle like a as the wonderful
pageant queen queen that
similar in a
pageant festival
She floats down Hyperbole The beautiful Jealousy
the aisle like a bride walks
pageant queen smoothly enter
the church
I hear the Hyperbole A last chance of Decisiveness
preacher say, objection
speak now or
forever hold
your peace
Who should be Synecdoche A wedding or Purity
rudely barging in marriage
on a white veil ceremony
occasion
I stand up with Synecdoche The stare of Self-assurance
shaky hands, all wedding
eyes on me invitation guest
Your time is Symbol A wake-up call Decisiveness
running out for the groom to
take action or
change a situation

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PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

AN ANALYSIS OF FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE AND THEME

Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements

DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS

AN ANALYSIS OF FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE AND THEME

Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements

DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS

A Sarjana Sastra Undergraduate Thesis

AN ANALYSIS OF FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE AND THEME CONSTRUCTED IN

Fransisca Kristianti, S.Pd., M.Hum. August 19, 2021

Simon Arsa Manggala, S.S., M.Hum. August 19, 2021

A Sarjana Sastra Undergraduate Thesis

AN ANALYSIS OF FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE AND THEME

Defended before the Board of Examiners

Yogyakarta, August 31, 2021

Dr. Tatang Iskarna

to the best of my knowledge, this undergraduate thesis contains no material

text of the undergraduate thesis.

August 18, 2021

Theresia Rospita Dwi Utami

LEMBAR PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN PUBLIKASI KARYA ILMIAH

Nama : Theresia Ropita Dwi Utami

Demi pengembangan ilmu pengetahuan, saya memberikan kepada Perpustakaan

AN ANALYSIS OF FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE AND THEME

Demikian pernyataan ini yang saya buat dengan sebenarnya.

Pada tanggal : 9 September, 2021

Theresia Rospita Dwi Utami

"If you never try,

My deepest gratitude that I would like to express is to thank Jesus Christ.

motivation to finish this thesis. I would like to deliver my deepest gratitude to my

the lectures in my faculty, Department of English Letters, who have taught me

during my study at Universitas Sanata Dharma.

I dedicate this gratitude to my family, especially my beloved father,

Antonius Tugimin, and extraordinary mother, Caecilia Triagung Marwanti, who

always support me throughout their prayers and never-ending encourages me to

and helps me throughout my daily life.

My thankfulness also goes to my most incredible partner, Andro Krisna

gives me support, and listens to my unintelligent struggles and complaints during

the process of writing this thesis.

Theresia Rospita Dwi Utami

TITLE PAGE .................................................................................................. ii

CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION .................................................................... 1

CHAPTER II: REVIEW OF LITERATURE ................................................. 8

CHAPTER III: METHODOLOGY .............................................................. 20

B. Approach of the Study ....................................................................... 21

CHAPTER IV: ANALYSIS RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS ..................... 26

UTAMI, THERESIA ROSPITA (2021). An Analysis Of Figurative Language

Keywords: semantic, figurative expressions, song lyrics.

UTAMI, THERESIA ROSPITA (2021). An Analysis Of Figurative Language

Keywords: semantic, figurative expressions, song lyrics.

1. Background of the Study

Language significantly has a role as an essential part to express human’s

and many other works.

In linguistics, literary works are an inseparable part of life. One of the

of communication. Survey of Public Participation in the Arts (SPPA) 2017 shows

singing achievements and songwriting talent. Therefore, it becomes her songs

reflected from her own experiences.

old without co-writers.

one type of language variation, called figurative language.

Figurative language is a part of literary devices which many song writers

Taylor Swift can be one of the representatives of female songwriters using

song lyrics itself.

of a theme constructed from the reflected meaning of the figurative language.