A Study of Similes in Chinese Novel of Shen Congwen “Bian Cheng”

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the forms and components of similes in Chinese novel, Border Town (边城) by 沈从文 (Shen Congwen). The data consists of 78 selected sentences containing similes from the novel. The instrument used in this study is a sentence classification record based on the simile forms, analyzing sentences using frequency values and percentages. The result of the study shows there are 3 forms of similes used which can be categorized as 40 sentences of direct similes (51.3%), 26 sentences of metonymy (33.3%), and 12 sentences of metaphors (15.4%). The novel employs direct similes as the most frequent technique as it is a form of communication that is direct and clear for the readers to be able to easily understand the intended meaning of the message. The novel utilizes metaphor as the least tool due to its difficulties and complexities; there are some uncertainties and ambiguities as to whether it is meant as a metaphor or if it is meant to convey the actual meaning. In terms of the components, it is found that direct simile and metaphor have all three components in common, which are the things to be compared, the conjunction (connector), and the things being compared with, but it is also found that the conjunction can be not to use in metonymy. However, the component of metonymy appears only the things to be compared without a clear conjunction and the things being compared.