Analysing poems in GAMSAT: Literary Terms Part II (Simile)

In the last article of this series on how to analyse poems in GAMSAT using literary terms, we discussed ‘personification’. We saw how interestingly this figure of speech is often used by people to communicate their ideas effectively…from commercials to soaps, personification leaves an imprint everywhere. By now you may have even begun to identify the use of personification in poems in GAMSAT Sample Papers. In this article, we shall discuss another very commonly used figure of speech: a simile. Each time someone reprimands you: you are sleeping like a log; he is using this commonly used figure of speech to put his point forward. ‘Fits like a glove’, white as snow’, ‘deep as the ocean’ are few more illustrations.

As evident from the examples, a simile makes a comparison between two different things. An easy way to identify a simile while reading poems in GAMSAT Section I is to look for the words ‘as’ and ‘like’. It is important to differentiate between a simile and a metaphor. Both metaphor and simile make a comparison between two different ideas or things. However, “the simile sets two ideas side by side; in the metaphor they become superimposed.” (F.L. Lucas) For example, “you are as beautiful as a rose” is simile, whereas, “you are a rose” is a metaphor. The comparison in a metaphor is implied, not explicit. Recognizing a simile is easier as the comparison is more obvious. Identifying metaphors requires more skill. This will come easily once you start analysing more and more poems for GAMSAT.

Poets often use similes to make their writing more lively and engaging. It can be a fun exercise for you to try and create fresh similes while doing the Written Communication section of the GAMSAT paper. Avoiding the use of redundant and clichéd similes can earn you brownie points with the GAMSAT examiner.

Sometimes poets use similes in an ironic way. It will require a clever eye to see through such skilful use of this common figure of speech and understand the irony.  ‘As porous as steel’, ‘as cuddly as a cactus’, are some interesting examples. Ironic similes use wit and humour as bait to get the reader’s attention. Perhaps this is the reason why they are so often employed by web content writers. You can try using ironical similes when you have got to catch the reader’s attention.

It is not mandatory for a simile to always be accompanied by an ‘as’ or ‘like’. Following are a few popular examples of similes where no ‘as’ or ‘like’ has been used:

“Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate:” – William Shakespeare, Sonnet 18

“I’m happier than a tornado in a trailer park.” – Tow Mater, Cars

Simile is rhetorical device you may have often employed without knowing the details. Now that you have an in-depth analysis of simile and its usage, you are better equipped to face the challenge of analysing a poem in GAMSAT Section I.