Literary Theory and Criticism Indian Aesthetics Decoding Figurative Language: Insight from from I.A Richards Critique

1. Decoding Figurative Language:
Insights from I.A. Richards Critique
Department of English, Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University

2. ➢ Presented By : Trupti Naik
➢ Semester : 2
➢ Roll No: 25
➢ Batch : 2023 - 2025
➢ Paper No: 109
➢ Paper Code : 22402
➢ Paper Name : Literary Theory & Criticism & Indian Aesthetics
➢ Topic: Decoding Figurative Language: Insights from I.A. Richards
Critique
➢ Submitted To : S.B.Gardi, Department of English
➢ Email : nayaktrupti188@gmail.com
➢ Date : 09/04/2024
Personal Details:-

3. 02
04
03
01
Table of contents
05 06
Introduction I.A. Richards Critique of
Figurative Language:
Four Kinds of
Meaning
Misunderstanding in
poetry
Solemn and Gray
Poem
The Literal and the
Figurative
07 Conclusion

4. ➢ Introduction
Renowned literary critic I.A. Richards fundamentally challenged the
traditional view of figurative language as merely ornamental, arguing
instead that metaphor, imagery, and other forms of figuration are
essential to how we make sense of the world.
From everyday idioms to the poetic musings of great writers, these
linguistic devices play a vital role in how we convey meaning, evoke
emotions, and expand the boundaries of our understanding.

5. ➢ I.A. Richards Critique of Figurative Language:
● I.A. Richards, a prominent literary theorist, was critical of the overuse of figurative
language in writing.
● He argued that the employment of metaphors, similes, and other literary devices can
often obscure the true meaning of a text.
● According to Richards, the reader can become overly focused on the surface-level
imagery, missing the underlying message the writer intends to convey.
● Richards believed writers should prioritize clarity and directness in their language,
rather than relying extensively on ornate or convoluted figures of speech.
● He emphasized the importance of considering the contextual and cultural factors that
shape the interpretation of figurative language, as these can vary widely across
different audiences and time periods.
● In Richards' view, the reliance on figurative language can hinder effective
communication by introducing ambiguity and obscuring the writer's intended meaning.

6. Four Kinds of Meaning:
Sense Feeling Tone Intension
This refers to the
literal,
dictionary-like
meaning of the
words used in the
figurative
expression.
This relates to
the emotional
associations and
connotations
evoked by the
figurative
language.
This is the
underlying
purpose or
meaning that the
speaker or writer
is trying to convey
through the
figurative
expression.
Tone refers to the
overall attitude or
mood expressed
through the use of
figurative
language.

7. According to I.A. Richards, poetry requires a different interpretive approach
compared to prose, as figurative language conveys deeper, multilayered meanings
beyond literal sense. Those who dismiss poetic devices as "ridiculous
exaggerations" fail to grasp this complexity, necessitating a more nuanced
understanding to fully appreciate poetry's communicative power.
Four types of misunderstanding:
1. Misunderstanding of the sense of poetry: Careless, intuitive reading (rhyme or
irregular syntax)
2. Over-literal reading – prosaic reading
3. Defective scholarship
4. Difference in meaning of words in poetry and prose
Misunderstanding in poetry

8. Poem : Solemn and Gray
Solemn and gray, the immense clouds of even
Pass on their towering unperturbed way
Through the vast whiteness of the rain-swept heaven
The moving pageants of the waning day;
Heavy with dreams, desires, prognostications,
Brooding with sullen and Titanic crests,
They surge, whose mantles’ wise imaginations
Trail where Earth’s mute and languorous body rests;
While below the Hawthorns smile like milk splashed
down
From Noon’s blue pitcher over mead and hill;
The arrased distance is so dim with flowers
It seems itself some coloured cloud made still,
O how the clouds this dying daylight crown
With the tremendous triumph of tall towers!
Critics found following problem with this poem:-
1) A cloud cannot have ‘desires’.
2) A mantle cannot have ‘imaginations’.
3) ‘Imaginations’ cannot ‘trail’.
4) ‘Milk’ does not ‘smile’.
5) ‘Dim with flowers’ is rather weak , for flowers
are bright things.
6) ‘Tall towers’ do not ‘triumph’ so far as human
sense can comprehend. Might be an interesting
sight!
Poetic word usage differs from prose, so literalism is
the "most serious obstacle" to properly understanding
poetry. As Richards asked, how do we explain to
those who see poetry as "ridiculous exaggerations"
and "absurd symbolizations" the way its true meaning
should be read?
Poetry requires a different interpretive approach
compared to prose to be rightly understood.

9. The Value of Figurative Language: Figurative language transcends literal meaning,
evoking experiences and expanding understanding in ways prosaic language
cannot.
Dangers of Over-Literal Examination: Reductive, literal analysis of figurative
expressions risks missing deeper layers of meaning, underscoring the need for
nuanced interpretation.
Richards on Personification: Saw it as reflecting a fundamental cognitive process,
not just decoration.
Richards on Visual Memory: Emphasized the centrality of visual imagery and
sensory associations in constructing meaning through language.
Richards on Comparative Criticism: Advocated for examining works in broader
contexts to better understand the functions of figurative devices.

10. The Literal and the Figurative
The main idea of the article is to challenge the traditional opposition between literal and
figurative meaning. The author demonstrates that many forms of figurative language can
become so conventional that they are effectively literal, while even ostensibly literal
language can take on multiple, context-dependent meanings. The article concludes that
the relationship between literal and figurative is more complex and ambiguous than the
simplistic dichotomy typically assumed.
The article argues the distinction between literal and figurative meaning is more complex
than a simple dichotomy, as many figurative expressions become conventional and literal
over time, while even ostensibly literal language can be multi-layered.
( Bredin#)

11. In conclusion, while I.A. Richards' criticism of figurative language offers
valuable insights into the complexities of communication, it is essential to
recognize that figurative language plays an indispensable role in enriching
human expression and understanding I.A. Richards' analysis of figurative
language and its four tones offers a valuable framework for understanding poetry's
emotional nuances. However, misunderstanding poetry can arise from solely
focusing on figurative elements, neglecting broader contextual factors. To appreciate
poetry fully, readers must consider both figurative language and other literary
elements to grasp its depth and meaning.
Conclusion

12. References
Barad, Dilip. (2024). I.A. Richards - Figurative Language - Practical Criticism.
10.13140/RG.2.2.23687.98724.
Bredin, Hugh. “The Literal and the Figurative.” Philosophy, vol. 67, no. 259, 1992, pp. 69–80.
JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/3751509. Accessed 9 Apr. 2024.
Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "I.A. Richards". Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 Apr.
2024, https://www.britannica.com/biography/I-A-Richards. Accessed 9 April 2024.

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