Literary Terms in English – Metonymy, Synecdoche

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Jul 3, 2009

Metonymy and synecdoche are often under-utilized tools in a writer or reader's arsenal - allowing for greater conveyance and understanding of symbolism, imagery, theme.

Metonymy should be understood, basically, as a figure of speech wherein an object or concept is referred to by its close associates, be they also physical or conceptual. It could also be considered a tool of rhetoric, for further expressing the value of an entity by having a closely related or associated entity stand in its place, representing it as an abstraction for more profound effect.

To clear up any confusion, consider the phrase : “The pen is mightier than the sword.”

In this phrase, metonymy is used twice to great effect. The pen clearly alludes to the power of words, literature, publishing, or the press – while the sword in this particular anecdote refers to oppressive force, violence, repression, or military subjugation or control (alongside any number of other associative concepts).

It is in this way that one can best understand what a metonym is – it is the use of an object or concept that is closely related to another, usually more abstract or intangible concept, in order to provide a frame of reference or context that not only makes the statement more accessible, but in most cases, more profound.

On Synecdoche, Part for the Whole (Pars Pro Toto)

Synecdoche is a figure of speech which is also closely related to metonymy in that they both replace entities, substituting them with familiar replacements. However, synecdoche usually refers to the practice of substituting a part for the whole (Latin : pars pro toto – taking a part for the whole)

As an example, a panicked sailor facing a gargantuan wave might cry out : “All hands on deck!”

An educated reader understands that the sailor in question is not literally asking for hands to scramble above deck and climb into the rigging, so what does the passage mean?

Hands are being used as an entity standing in for the whole, the whole being the crewmen themselves. Another common example of synecdoche that is used in everyday life would be the common practice of referring to cattle by their head, as in “100 head of cattle” or perhaps even more strikingly, the common usage of the White House, in and of itself, to represent the Executive Branch of the United States Government.

On Synecdoche, Whole for the Part (Totum Pro Parte)

It should be noted briefly that synecdoche can also be applied in “reverse”, as it were – referring to the whole in lieu of speaking of the part. Common examples are found in geography, with many people using the term “America” to refer simply to the United States, or “Britain” to refer to the entire UK. This type of synecdoche is known as totum pro parte, Latin for “taking the whole for the part”.

It can also be more loosely applied to abstract concepts as well, as in referring to “the law” when in fact one was actually pulled over by a single officer.

Metonymy and Synecdoche in Fiction, Creative Writing

Metonymy and synecdoche are common tropes in creative writing, particularly in the realm of speculative fiction. Fantasy writers are often prone to describing a sword as steel – a regal and distinguished knight might “offer his steel” to a noble but embattled King. In that very same vein, the King might call for “a thousand swords” to defend his ancient realm, when really, the King is referring to a thousand soldiers, or a thousand such knights.

Both of these figures of speech are excellent ways to convey imagery and to make abstract, overarching philosophical and organizational concepts more accessible to the reader – be they scholars, enthusiasts, or laymen.

By understanding and taking the time to both internalize metonymy and synecdoche as an educated reader as well as using these tools in the pursuit of becoming a more expressive and thought provoking writer, one will be a great deal better prepared to engage their literary pursuits with consideration and depth.

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The copyright of the article Literary Terms in English – Metonymy, Synecdoche in Academic Writing is owned by Nicholas Morine. Permission to republish Literary Terms in English – Metonymy, Synecdoche in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.