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TRANSFERENCE OF MEANING EMPLOYED IN THE RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE ALBUM A Thesis Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Attainment of Sarjana Sastra Degree in English Language and Literature By: Leonardo Teopilus Adre Fransteladi 12211141048 ENGLISH LITERATURE STUDY PROGRAM ENGLISH EDUCATION DEPARTMENT FACULTY OF LANGUAGES AND ARTS YOGYAKARTA STATE UNIVERSITY 2017

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TRANSFERENCE OF MEANING EMPLOYED IN THE RAGE

AGAINST THE MACHINE ALBUM

A Thesis

Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Attainment of

Sarjana Sastra Degree in English Language and Literature

By:

Leonardo Teopilus Adre Fransteladi

12211141048

ENGLISH LITERATURE STUDY PROGRAM

ENGLISH EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

FACULTY OF LANGUAGES AND ARTS

YOGYAKARTA STATE UNIVERSITY

2017

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MOTTOS

Berbuat salah itu sifat manusia, tapi belajar dari kesalahan juga sifat manusia.

(Gintama)

No man is a failure who has friends. (It’s a Wonderful Life)

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DEDICATIONS

I dedicate my thesis to:

MY MOTHER, MY FATHER AND MY BROTHER

MY EXTENDED FAMILY

MY COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS

and

MYSELF

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

First of all, I want to thank God for His blessings and help. Also, I would

like to express my sincere thanks to:

1. my first supervisor, Titik Sudartinah, M.A., for guiding me with great

enthusiasm and tireless effort;

2. my second supervisor as well as my Academic Advisor, Rachmat

Nurcahyo, M.A., for the suggestions and advice during my study and the

process of thesis writing;

3. all lecturers at English Education Department of State University of

Yogyakarta for doing their best to give knowledge and teach me;

4. my mother, Nunuk Budiarsih, and my father, Usmanto Adi, for providing

me the chance to study at university and my brother, David, with whom I

spent my time at home;

5. all the members of my nuclear family, my grandmother, my aunts, my

uncles and my cousins for the support;

6. my compassionate friends, those who never take me for granted. They are

Ajix, Anang, Hanif, Hendra, Hovi, Nimas, Anggi, and Kikin;

7. the boys of class F of English Literature 2012, Anjar, Arif, Rendra, Taufiq,

Umam, for the memory we created and the girls, Sarah and Assa, for the

enjoyful conversations we had, and Anti and Ellis for lending me a hand;

8. all of my classmates of class F 2012 and Linguistics major; and

9. those who have helped during the process of writing the thesis.

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I notice that my research has many faults. However, I wish my

thesis would be useful for the readers.

Yogyakarta, 23 December 2016

Leonardo Teopilus Adre Fransteladi

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE................................................................................................................ i

APPROVAL SHEET ....................................................................................... ii

RATIFICATION.............................................................................................. iii

PERNYATAAN ................................................................................................. iv

MOTTOS .......................................................................................................... v

DEDICATIONS................................................................................................ vi

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS............................................................................. vii

TABLE OF CONTENTS................................................................................. ix

LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES............................................................... xii

ABSTRACT ...................................................................................................... xiii

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

A. Background of the Research .................................................................. 1B. Research Focus....................................................................................... 2C. Research Objectives ............................................................................... 4D. Research Significance ............................................................................ 4

CHAPTER II LITERATURE REVIEW AND CONCEPTUALFRAMEWORK ................................................................................................ 6

A. Literature Review................................................................................... 61. Stylistics............................................................................................. 62. Linguistic Deviation .......................................................................... 7

a. Lexical Deviation.......................................................................... 8b. Grammatical Deviation ................................................................. 9c. Phonological Deviation................................................................. 9d. Graphological Deviation ............................................................... 9e. Dialectal Deviation ....................................................................... 10f. Register Deviation......................................................................... 10g. Historical Period Deviation........................................................... 11h. Semantic Deviation ....................................................................... 11

1) Honest Deception ..................................................................... 12a) Hyperbole ............................................................................ 12b) Litotes .................................................................................. 12c) Irony..................................................................................... 12

2) Semantic Oddicity .................................................................... 12a) Pleonasm.............................................................................. 13b) Oxymoron............................................................................ 13

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c) Tautology............................................................................. 13d) Paradox ................................................................................ 13e) Periphrasis ........................................................................... 14

3) Transference of Meaning ......................................................... 14a) Metonymy............................................................................ 14b) Synecdoche.......................................................................... 15c) Simile................................................................................... 15d) Metaphor.............................................................................. 16e) Personification ..................................................................... 17

3. Figurative Language Functions ......................................................... 18a. To Afford Imaginative Pleasure.................................................... 18b. To Bring Additional Imagery........................................................ 18c. To Add Emotional Intensity.......................................................... 19d. To Say Much In Brief Compass.................................................... 19

4. Theme ................................................................................................ 205. Rage Against The Machine ............................................................... 206. Previous Studies................................................................................. 22

B. Conceptual Famework............................................................................ 23

CHAPTER III RESEARCH METHOD ..................................................... 26

A. Research Design ..................................................................................... 26B. Form, Source, and Context of Data........................................................ 27C. Research Instrument ............................................................................... 27D. Data Collection Techniques ................................................................... 28E. Data Analysis Techniques ...................................................................... 29F. Trustworthiness of Data ......................................................................... 30

CHAPTER IV FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION ........................................ 31

A. Findings .................................................................................................. 31B. Discussion .............................................................................................. 33

1. Types of Transference of Meaning in Self-Title ................................ 33a. Metonymy ..................................................................................... 33b. Synecdoche ................................................................................... 36c. Simile ............................................................................................ 39d. Metaphor ....................................................................................... 41e. Personification .............................................................................. 44

2. Functions of Transference of Meaning in Self-Title .......................... 47a. To Afford Imaginative Pleasure.................................................... 47b. To Bring Additional Imagery........................................................ 50c. To Bring Emotional Intensity ....................................................... 52d. To Say Much in Brief Compass.................................................... 55

3. Themes Reflected through the Use of Transference of Meaning in Self-Title .................................................................................................... 58a. Capitalism ..................................................................................... 58b. Racism........................................................................................... 61

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c. Brainwashing ................................................................................ 63d. Rebellion ....................................................................................... 65

CHAPTER V CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS............................ 68

A. Conclusions ............................................................................................ 68B. Suggestions............................................................................................. 69

APPENDICES .................................................................................................. 73

A. Data Sheets ............................................................................................. 73B. Surat Pernyataan Triangulasi ................................................................ 80

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LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES

FIGURES

Figure 1. The Cover of Self-Title Album .................................................. 21

Figure 2. Analytical Construct .................................................................. 25

TABLES

Table 1. Transference of Meaning, the Functions and the Themes

Found in the Album Self-Title ................................................................... 27

Table 2. Types and Functions of Transference of Meaning and Themes

Found in the Album Self-Title................................................................... 28

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TRANSFERENCE OF MEANING EMPLOYED IN THE RAGEAGAINST THE MACHINE ALBUM

Leonardo Teopilus Adre Fransteladi

12211141048

ABSTRACT

Transference of meaning deals with understanding a thing in terms ofanother. The objectives of the study are to describe the types of transference ofmeaning employed in the album Self-Title by Rage Against The Machine, thefunctions of transference of meaning and the themes reflected through the use oftransference of meaning in the album.

To achieve the three objectives, this research employed qualitativeresearch. It was conducted by collecting any relevant data taken from the lyrics inthe form of words, phrases, clauses and sentences which are related to the topic ofthe research. To gain trustworthiness, the researcher applied member checking byasking his two supervisors and students of English Literature to check andvalidate the data.

This research reveals three findings. First, all of the types of transferenceof meaning are found. They are Metonymy, Synecdoche, Simile, Metaphor andPersonification. Second, all of the functions of figurative language are found.They are to afford imaginative pleasure, to bring additional imagery, to bringemotional intensity and to say much in brief compass. Moreover, a figure ofspeech may bring more than one function in which some of them probably are thesame as the functions brought by other figures of speech.Third, the employmentof transference of meaning reflects four themes. They are Capitalism, Racism,Brainwashing and Rebellion. Furthermore, all of the figures of speech reflectmore than one theme. In fact, some of them can reflect three themes.

Keywords: transference of meaning, Rage Against The Machine, Self-Title

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CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

This chapter provides description of background of the research, research

focus, research objectives, and research significance.

A. Background of the Research

Music is a popular entertainment for people of different ages, having various

genres as well as themes. It is voice, musical instruments and lyrics that are

composed in perfect harmony. The three elements produce their own effects on

listeners. The sweet voice of a singer brings maximum pleasure. The pleasing sound

of piano soothes the hurt while energetic melody of guitar raises energy and

enthusiasm. Meanwhile, the language style of the lyrics leaves listeners amazed.

Unfortunately, people just take songs for granted. They do not take efforts to

understand what the songs actually want to say and what motivates the writer to write

the songs. They listen to music for getting pleasure instead of understanding. In fact,

through song, the singers have the chance to share their feelings, express opinion

about recent issues, protest unfair policy, or encourage people to give up war.

To make those happen, there are many means that songs writer can take. They

may employ unusual languages, ungrammatical structure, invent new words, or put

special vocabulary in wrong domain to create an artistic work and bring special

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effects. When a song is presented in this way then it becomes deviated. As a

consequence, people are attracted and willing to listen to their songs.

For that reason, language style of songs is worth to analyze. Rage Against The

Machine (RATM) debut album, Self-Title, is selectively chosen as the object of study

due to several reasons. First, in connection with the contents, the album is considered

provocative. It is well recognized by many people for featuring political and social

aspects. Second, the lyrics are composed of non-standard, imaginative and offensive

words. They are arranged in a creative way to create poetic effects and bring powerful

emotion to the listeners. Third, the debut album has won praise from popular

magazines. It was placed on number 368 of 500 greatest albums all of time by

Rolling Stone in 2012 and 30 of 100 best album ever by Q magazine in 2006.

B. Research Focus

A number of linguistic approaches can be applied to analyze lyrics of Rage

Against The Machine. The first one is systemic functional linguistics. The study

explores the language use for making meaning. A song depicts events and processes.

Therefore, the topics of the study can be process types of transitivity, the participants,

and circumstances involved in the lyrics. The second one is semantics. Semantics

aims to explain the meaning of a language. Songs are composed of words that have

relations with other words. The researcher may describe the types of lexical meaning

like synonym, antonym and hyponymy found in the lyrics and its positive and

negative connotations. The last one is stylistics. It concerns with the style of language

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to produce artistic effects. The song writers employ ungrammatical structure, and

words that do not conform to norm. For that reason, grammatical deviation can be

studied to explain syntactic deviation. Also, the figurative meaning in the songs

makes it possible to analyze a subfield of semantic deviation, which is transference of

meaning.

Related to the songs, there are several problems that can be researched. The

first one is the diction. The lyrics of RATM are made up of violent and imaginative

words related to politics, ideology, and crime. Due to this reason, the listeners may

misinterpret the meaning of the lyrics. Second, the imaginative words have other

functions beside for aesthetic purpose, making the songs creative and attractive. Last,

the songs portray crucial themes that are important to be explained.

Language is too broad to discuss. It has many subfields, including semantics,

sociolinguistics, psycholinguistics, pragmatics, and stylistics. Since it is impossible to

analyze all of them, the researcher needs to limit on one subfield and he chooses

stylistics. He limits the analysis into three topics, which are transference of meaning,

the functions, and the themes. The object of this study is the debut album of Rage

Against The Machine that consists of ten songs.

Based on the explanation above, the researcher formulates the following

problems.

1. What types of transference of meaning are employed in the RATM’s Self-

Title?

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2. What are the functions of transference of meaning employed in the RATM’s

Self-Title?

3. What themes are reflected through the transference of meaning in the RATM’s

Self-Title?

C. Research Objectives

The objectives of the research are:

1. to describe the types of transference of meaning employed in the RATM’s

Self-Title,

2. to describe the functions of transference of meaning employed in the RATM’s

Self-Title, and

3. to explain the themes reflected through the transference of meaning in the

RATM’s Self-Title.

D. Research Significance

This study is expected to provide contributions for readers and researchers.

1. Readers

For common readers, this research can be used to enrich their knowledge

language style of a literary work. For English Department students, it can be

used as a guidance to analyze songs by employing stylistic approach and

motivate them to conduct similar research.

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2. Researchers

This research can be used as an additional reference in conducting similar

research. Indeed, the results of the researches can be compared.

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CHAPTER II

LITERATURE REVIEW AND CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

This chapter presents literature review and conceptual framework. Literature

review tells the theories dealing with stylistics, linguistics deviations, language

functions, the band Rage Against The Machine, and the previous studies. Conceptual

framework explains the concept employed as a guide to conduct the research.

A. Literature Review

1. Stylistics

In a simple way, stylistics can be defined as the study of language style. It

aims to explain the way in which language is employed in a certain situation, by

certain people and for certain purpose (Leech & Short, 2007). Simpson (2004:2)

proposes that stylistics is a method of textual interpretation in which primarily

focuses on language. He adds that linguistic structure, which is formed by various

forms, patterns and levels, plays significant role to interpretation. These features form

a text’s meaning and provide a stylistic interpretation and help explain why certain

types of meaning are possible.

Norgard et al (2010: 2) provide another definition of stylistics. Stylistics is a

linguistic approach to literature. It concentrates on studying how meaning is created

through language in literature as well as in other types of text such as advertisements,

news, or academic writing. The analysis of stylistics focuses not only on the text itself

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like phonological, lexical, grammatical level but also investigating the style of a

particular author and the role of readers in meaning construction.

According to Bennet and Nicholas (2004), language in a literary work is

sometimes defined in terms of its deviations from or distortions of ordinary language.

It suggests that literary texts are characterized by the use of figures of speech or

tropes. It defines figures and tropes in opposition to or as deviations from ordinary or

literal language. Simpsons (2004: 50) adds that deviation occurs when an aspect of

text does not follow linguistic norm. It is frequently found in literary work and done

to achieve poetic function in language. Indeed, it is normal to see the language of

poetry or song different from the usual.

To conclude, stylistics is the scientific study of language style. It seeks to

investigate the way language applied in fictional and non-fictional texts and in

various levels of linguistic structures. Specifically, it explores language that does not

conform to norm. It also enables readers to understand meaning of the texts carried by

certain style and the style of an author.

2. Linguistic Deviation

Deviation is property of expressions in a natural language which do not

conform to rules either explicitly or implicitly (Bussman, 1998). Language in literary

work may deviate from rules in either obvious or subtle ways and therefore is called

creative. To be creative, one of two conditions must be fulfilled. The first is making

special use of language possibilities which already exist. For example, the polar bears

of the Arctic of ice-cap have recently taken to wearing false eyelashes as a protection

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against snow-blindness. Even though the sentence is grammatically incorrect, it is

considered creative for the event that the sentence describes. The other is creating

new language possibilities which did not previously exist. For example, eins within a

space and a wearywide space it was ere wohned a Mookse. The creativeness lies in

the fact that the sentence is arranged ungrammatically, making it difficult to

understand (Leech, 1969).

To be specific, linguistic deviation may involve inventing new words or new

meaning of words, arranging words randomly, using words in wrong context or

forming words in wrong order. Leech divides linguistic deviations into eight types.

They are lexical, grammatical, phonological, graphological, dialectal, register,

historical period, and semantic deviation.

a. Lexical Deviation

Lexical deviation is an expression that is unusual from natural language in the

level of words. Leech (1969: 42) states that it is usually related to neologism: creating

words that have never been made before. It can be realized by adding affix to the

beginning or the end of words and combining two or more words into one. Still on

the same page, he provides some deviated words. The English rules of word

formation permits prefix of fore to a verb, in order to convey the meaning beforehand

as in foresee, foreknow, foretell and forewarn. Another is brainful. This word is not

listed by dictionary as dictionary only lists the word brainless. It is formed by adding

a suffix to root word and has the same meaning with smart or intelligent.

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b. Grammatical Deviation

Grammatical deviation is an expression that is unusual from natural language

in the level of morpheme, the smallest meaningful unit of words, and syntax, the

grammatical arrangement of words in a sentence. Beautifullest, profoundest,

pleasantest are morphological deviations found in Dickens’s Hard Times (Ouameur,

2013). In Standard English, the words should be preceded with more or most.

Syntactic deviation may involve using ungrammatical structure or arranging words

incorrectly as in sentence I doesn’t like him and He me saw (Leech, 1969). The

correct form is I don’t like him and He saw me.

c. Phonological Deviation

Phonological deviation is an expression that is unusual from natural language

in the level of sound. Leech (1969) divides it into two types: omission of a vowel,

consonant, or syllable within a word and special pronunciation. Omission is divided

into three types: Aphesis, Syncope and Apocope. Aphesis is the lost of initial part as

in ’gainst (against), ’twixt (betwixt), ’tis (it is). Syncope is the lost of middle part as

in o’er (over), e’er (ever) and ne’er (never). Apocope is the lost of final part as in oft’

(often) (Ufot, 2013). Special pronunciation happens as in the noun wind which is

pronounced like the verb wind. It is usually for the sake of rhyme.

d. Graphological Deviation

Graphological deviation is an expression that is unusual from natural language

in how writing letters and words. Leech and Short (2007) argue that it is

characterized by spelling, capitalization, hyphenation, italicization and

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paragraphing. Here is an excerpt taken from Cummings’ when life is quite through

with.

when love’s had his tears out,perhaps shall passa million years(while a bee dozes,on the poppies, the dears;when all’s done said and said,under the grasslies her headby oaks and rosesdeliberated.)

This excerpt shows deviation in the term of capitalization and punctuation.

The first word of the sentence is not capitalized where it is supposed to be. Related to

punctuation, the excerpt employs too much parenthesis (Li & Shi, 2015).

e. Dialectal Deviation

Dialectal deviation or dialectism is concerned with borrowing of features of

socially or regionally defined dialects. It happens when a writer does not write in the

understood dialect known as standard. Dialect itself may reveal the background

information of the writer such as education, origin, and social class. Spencer in The

Shepheardes Calendar employs some provincial words like heydeguyes (a type of

dance), rontes (young bullocks), and wimble (nimble) (Leech, 1969).

f. Register Deviation

Simpsons (2004:104) describes a register as the use of language for particular

situations. It tells what a speaker or writer is doing with language at a given

moment. Thus, register deviation can be defined as the use of register in incorrect

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context. An Analysis of Deviations of Register in T. S. Eliot’s Poem The Love Song

of J. Alfred Prufrock by Saleem (2012) provides an example of register deviation as

in the clause “I have measured out my life with coffee spoons”. The phrase ‘coffee

spoons’ refers to the register of kitchen. To measure out life is often used together

with evenings, mornings and afternoons, but to use it with ‘coffee spoon’ is a

deviant use. By applying a non-poetic expression into poetic discourse, the writer

wants to direct readers’ attention towards noisy, mechanical, disturbed and lifeless

mornings and afternoons of the persona.

g. Historical Period Deviation

Historical period deviation happens when archaism, a word or expression that

is not generally used any more, is used in today’s language. In Poe’s The Raven,

some archaic words are found. They are surcease which means to stop, thereat for

at that time or at that place, and some pronouns like thy, thou for your and you

respectively. The employment of archaic words in the poem fits well for it is about a

man spending most of his time with books of forgotten lore (Abood). The words thy

and thou are used in Shakespearean period.

h. Semantic Deviation

Semantic deviation is concerned with figurative meaning. Leech categorizes it

into three types. They are honest deception, semantic oddicity, and transference of

meaning.

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1) Honest Deception

Leech (1969, 166) states that Honest Deception is related to the idea that it

misrepresents truth. It is categorized into three types. They are hyperbole, litotes, and

irony.

a) Hyperbole

Hyperbole or overstatements refers the act of saying something seem larger,

better, bigger or more than it really is for the sake of truth (Perrine, 1969, 110). For

example, I will be waiting you for thousand years. The speaker does not want and

cannot wait for that long time. He/she just wants to mean what he says.

b) Litotes

Litotes refers to the act of understatement in which a speaker uses a negative

expression where as a positive one would be more forceful and direct (Leech,

1969:169). For example, saying it’s not bad means it is good.

c) Irony

Irony refers to the act of the opposite of what a speaker means. It may be used

to criticize someone in a humorous way in speech or writing or may not. If a teacher

says, “Some bad news for you: you all passed.” he is being ironical (Perrine, 1969,

113).

2) Semantic Oddicity

Leech (1969) proposes that Semantic Oddicity is concerned with the absurdity

of meaning. It is categorized into five types. They are pleonasm, oxymoron,

tautology, paradox and periphrasis.

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a) Pleonasm

Pleonasm refers to the act of using a word or more to repeat the meaning of

another word, leading to redundancy. It may occur in what precede or follow it

(Leech, 1969:132). The words male as in a male man and plays guitar as in a

guitarist who plays a guitar show the use of pleonasm.

b) Oxymoron

Oxymoron refers to the act of combining two words that have contrary

meaning. As a consequence, the combination is impossible to imagine and believe in

reality (Leech, 1969:132). Oxymoron occurs in expressions like female man and a

guitarist who plays drum.

c) Tautology

Tautology refers to the act of repeating an expression in a way that is

unnecessary (Leech, 1969:132). For example, my grandfather is old, nonsense is a

stupid idea and to err is to make mistake.

d) Paradox

Paradox refers to a statement which is absurd and contrary to reality (Leech,

1969:132). Perrine (1969, 110) adds that it aims to bring shock, drawing readers’

intention. For example, my grandfather is young, nonsense is a great idea and to err

is to make resolution.

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e) Periphrasis

Periphrasis refers to the use of longer form to an expression that is possible to

be written in shorter form (Leech, 1969:132). Example is the father of my father

(grandparent) and a silly idea (nonsense), and to make mistake (to err).

3) Transference of Meaning

Leech (1969, 144) suggests that transference of meaning is concerned with

deriving meaning of a word from another. It is categorized into five types. They are

synecdoche, metonymy, simile, metaphor and personification.

a) Metonymy

Drabble (2000) points out that metonymy is a figure of speech which

substitutes quality or attribute of something for the thing itself. In line with Drabble,

Jakobson (1956) via Norgard et al (2010) defines metonymy as a figure of speech, or

trope, in which a referent is substituted by something with which it is closely

associated, and is therefore based on a principle of association. Moreover, Simpsons

(2004:41) propose that it involves association between the part and the whole, known

as synecdoche, as in hired hand for worker, a producer and the produced as in ‘There

is a good Spielberg on tomorrow night, an institution and its location as in The

Pentagon for United States and so on.

He also points out that there is a great difficulty to distinguish metonymy and

metaphor. A way to tell whether it is metonymy or metaphor is converting them to

simile. Metonymy cannot be converted to simile whereas metaphor can. For example,

the metonymy hired hand cannot support the parallel simile a worker is like a hand,

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nor does a fresh pair of leg convert to a substitute is like a pair of legs. Meanwhile, a

politician is rat equals to a politician is like a rat.

b) Synecdoche

Synecdoche occurs when a part is used to represent a whole or a whole to

represent a part. Synecdoche in which a whole represent a part occurs when workers

are referred to as ‘hands’. Then a part represents the whole occurs when national

football team is signified by reference to the nation to which it belongs: ‘England beat

Sweden’ (Norgard et al, 2010: 109).

Since synecdoche is a subclass of metonymy, it is hard to distinguish them.

They provide an example to help to understand the two terminologies. The hand that

rocks the cradle rules the word. The hand is synecdoche that represents mother while

the cradle is metonymy that represents a baby by close association.

Synecdoche has a function that differs from other figures of speech. It is a

means of abbreviation, enabling writer to avoid verbosity. For instance, saying

'soldiers were equipped with steel’ is more concise than saying “the soldiers were

equipped with swords, knives, daggers, arrows and etc (Ustath, 2015).

c) Simile

Simile is a figure of speech which is closely related to metaphor and based on

similarity. It is characterized by direct comparison through the employment ‘as’ or

‘like’ (Norgard et al, 2010: 107). Drabble (2010) gives another definition by saying

simile is applied when an object, scene, or action introduced by way of comparison

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for explanatory, illustrative, or merely ornamental purpose as in as strong as an ox, or

more poetically as in Night Blake’s Songs of Innocence.

The moon, like a flowerIn heaven's high bowerWith silent delightSits and smiles on the night'

According to Fromilhague (1995:88-94) via Fadee (2011), simile has various

functions. First, they serve to communicate concisely and efficiently. They are one of

a set of linguistic devices which extend the linguistic resources available. Second, it

allows readers to think in alternative ways. Third, it provides more specific functions

depending on the textual genre in which they occur in discourse text. Last,

comparison and analogical reasoning play an important role in scientific text.

d) Metaphor

Metaphor is a figure of speech in which one thing is compared with

another by saying that one is the other (Kovecses, 2010). It aims to show that they

have something in common by drawing comparison indirectly. It may occur in the

form of single word or a collocation, an idiom, a sentence, a proverb, an allegory, a

complete imaginative text (Newmark, 1988:104). Phrase rage against the machine

draws a comparison indirectly between human and machine. It intends to convey

extreme anger at those who are cold and heartless.

Simpsons (2004:41) adds that it is a process of mapping between two different

conceptual domains: source domain and target domain. The source domain is the

concept drawn upon in order to create the metaphorical construction while the target

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domain is the topic or concept intended to describe by the employment of metaphor.

Her smile is medicine for me. The source domain is medicine and her smile is the

target domain. This expression brings the idea that her smile has the same qualities as

medicine: having the capability to soothe pain and cure sickness.

Metaphor basically has two purposes: referential purpose and pragmatic

purpose. Referential purpose is to describe a mental process or state, a concept, a

person, an object, a quality or an action more comprehensively and concisely than is

possible in literal language. Pragmatic purpose is to attract the senses, to interest, to

please, to delight, to surprise (Newmark, 1988: 104).

e) Personification

Personification refers to a figure of speech in which gives inanimate objects or

abstractions human qualities or represents them as possessing human form (Drabble,

2010). Lakoff and Johnson (1980) define personification as subclass metaphors in

which the physical object is further specified as being a person. This makes it

possible to comprehend a wide variety of experiences with nonhuman entities in

terms of human motivations, characteristics, and activities.

Still on the same page, they provide an example of personification. Inflation

has attacked the foundation of our economy, destroyed the dollar, and robbed my

savings. Here inflation is not only a person but an enemy. It not only gives a very

specific way of thinking about inflation but also a way of acting toward it.

Personification has an explanatory power to make most people understand inflation

and why suffering inflation is painful.

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3. Figurative Language Functions

To use figurative language is to say one thing to mean another. It may appear

absurd but it happens for a good reason. It allows people to say more vividly and

forcefully than does literal language. In other words, figurative language provides a

more effective means of saying something than direct statement does. It is employed

to achieve some functions. They are to afford imaginative pleasure, bring additional

imagery, add emotional intensity, and say much in brief compass (Perrine, 1969:71-

72).

a. To Afford Imaginative Pleasure

In this context, imagination is described as the ability of mind that draws a

picture from another. The mind gets delightful in seeing likenesses between unlike

things. For example, it is delightful to stare into a fire and see a castle, cities and

armies in it or look into the clouds and shape them into another form like animals or

faces. It also gives pleasure by naming plants or flowers by combining two unlike

things such as jack-in-the-pulpit, babies’s-breath, Queen Anne’s lace. Thus, figurative

language provides a source of pleasure in the exercise of imagination (Perrine, 1969:

71).

b. To Bring Additional Imagery

Figurative language gives additional imagery into literary works, makes

abstract concepts clear and certain, and enables poetry to give pleasure through

senses. When MacLeish personifies science in DR. Sigmund Freud Discovers The

Sea Shells, he treats an abstract concept as if it had body like human. As a

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consequence, it leads reader to visualize science having the qualities of human

beings. Science can calculate the climate of each star; count the fish at sea and so on.

In other words, figurative language is a way of multiplying the sense appeal of poetry

(Perrine, 1969:71).

c. To Add Emotional Intensity

To say something by using figure of speech not only provides information but

also brings strong emotions on the statement. For example, my feet are killing me is

more emotional than my feet hurt. It is intended to convey that physical suffering

caused by injury is extremely painful. If nothing is done, the pain will get worse and

lead the speaker to be hospitalized. Another is when Wilfred Owen draws comparison

between a soldier caught in a gas attack and a man drowning under a green sea in

Dulce Et Decorum Est, he presents a feeling of despair and suffocation as well as

visual image (Perrine, 1969:71-72).

d. To Say Much In Brief Compass

Figurative language serves as a tool to say concepts by expressing them short

and clear, avoiding unnecessary words. For instance, Shakespeare compares life to

candle in a passage from Macbeth. Life is like a candle. It begins and ends in

darkness. While it burns, it produces light and energy. It gradually consumes itself,

getting shorter and shorter. It can be snuffed out at any moment. It burns only for a

short duration. This concise description of life as a brief candle suggests certain

truth about life that requires tons of words to express in literal language (Perrine,

1969: 72).

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4. Theme

Lukens (1999) defines theme in literature as the idea that holds the story

together such as a comment about society, human nature, or the human condition. It

is the main idea or central meaning of a piece of writing. It can be stated explicitly

or implicitly and a literary work may have one or multiple themes.

To illuminate theme, a novelist can employ literary elements such as

character, setting, plot and so on. However, song writers do not employ these

elements but figurative language like personification, metaphor, simile and etc. This

figure of speech makes his song more appeal, dramatic, vivid and at same time

conjures up theme. Bennet and Nicholas (2004) state that it is due to character of

language which is inescapably figurative: the meaning of a text cannot be separated

from its expression, its figures. For example, a black skin got shot by a police. The

word black skin indicates the use of synecdoche and shows issue of murder dealing

with racism. If the expression is altered to a man got shot by a police, the theme is

too general. Figurative language is not only an essential element to produce

aesthetic literary work but also to illuminate theme.

5. Rage Against The Machine

Formed in 1991 in Los Angeles, Rage Against The Machine is a band that

falls into metal rap genre. It consists of four members: Zack de la Rocha (vocalist),

Tom Morello (guitarist), Tim Commerford (bassist), and Brad Wilk (drummer).

They are well-known by many people for their angry lyrics criticizing political and

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social aspect. During their working life, the band has released four albums, which

are Self-Title (1992), Evil Empire (1996), The Battle of Los Angeles (1999), and

Renegades (2000). Their debut album depicts a lot of rage: a rage against

capitalism, a rage against brainwashing, a rage against racism, and a rage against

unfairness. The lyrics are written by Zack while the music is composed by Tom.

Moreover, the cover itself portrays a monk burning himself in Vietnam for

protesting unfair treatment towards Vietnamese monks by the government. In 2000,

the band disbands but reunites again seven years later and has some concerts during

2007 and 2011. Unfortunately, after some concerts, they disband again.

Figure 1. The Cover Of Self-Title Album

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6. Previous Studies

There are several studies related to stylistics and the songs of the band. The

first is Stylistics Analysis of the Poem Bereft by Robert Frost by Aslam et al (2014). It

explores graphological, grammatical, syntactical, and phonological patterns as well as

schemes and tropes. In graphological level, there is no division of stanzas, the poem

is written as a whole and there is usual capitalization and the use of punctuation. In

grammatical level, the use of punctuation, use of question mark and question mark

shows that the poet is confused. In phonological level, the sixteen-line-poem has

AAAAABBACCDDDEDE rhyme. Related to tropes and schemes, the poet employs

anaphora, antithesis, epistrophe, metaphor, personification, imagery and rhetorical

question.

The second is Grammatical Deviation Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot by

Akhter and Hayat (2012). As the name suggests, it seeks to analyze deviation in the

level of syntax. The results reveal that there are two kinds of grammatical deviation

employed in the play. They are ellipses and inversion of syntactic order. The sentence

parts that are left out are verb, subject, object and conjunction with verb being the

greatest in number. Inversion of syntactic order is the pattern in Standard English is

usually SVO but in the play the pattern is OSV.

The last is The Lyrics of Rage Against The Machine: A Study In Radical

Criminology by Laura L. Finley (2002). It is different from the previous two for a

reason that it investigates the content of work rather than its language style. To be

specific, it analyses some selected lyrics to discover the themes of criminology that

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the lyrics have. The result is that they have three primary themes. The first is that

capitalism has a great impact on criminality and the ruling rich classes are even more

criminal than those labeled as such. The second is that the media makes it difficult for

people to see the exact truth about capitalist ideologies. The third is that revolution,

ranging from violent forms to revolution of knowledge, is needed to end capitalism.

This research has similarity and difference compared to the three researches

above. The similarity between this research and the first two lies in the approach

employed. They all aim to analyze the language style of literary works. They differ in

the objectives and object. Also, this research and Finley’s differ in the topic

discussed. The topic of this research is the language of the songs whereas Finley’s is

the content.

B. Conceptual Framework

Since this research analyses language style of literary work, the approach is

stylistics. To be specific, this research aims to describe the type of transference of

meaning, the functions, and themes reflected through transference of meaning in the

ten-song-album Rage Against The Machine. To conduct this research, two theories

were employed as the guide. To achieve the first objective, Leech’s theory was

employed. In his book A Linguistic Guide to English Poetry, he divides transference

of meaning into synecdoche, metonymy, simile, metaphor and personification. To

achieve second objective, Perrine’s theory was employed. In his book Sound and

Sense: An Introduction to Poetry, he proposes that figurative language has four

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functions. They are to afford imaginative pleasure, bring additional imagery, add

emotional intensity, and say much in brief compass.

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Figure 2. Analytical Construct Framework

Stylistics

Language Style Literary Work

Deviation Function

Lexical

Theme

Grammatical Phonological Semantic Dialectal Register HistoricalPeriod

SemanticOddicity

HonestDeception

Transferenceof Meaning

1. Hyperbole

2. Litotes

3. Irony

1. Metonymy

2. Synecdoche

3. Simile

4. Metaphor

5. Personification

1. To afford imaginativepleasure

2. To bring additionalimagery

3. To add emotional intensity

4. To say much in briefcompass

1. Pleonasm

2. Oxymoron

3. Tautology

4. Paradox

5. Periphrasis

RATM’s Album

Transference of Meaning Employed in the Rage Against The Machine Album

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CHAPTER IIIRESEARCH METHOD

This chapter presents the method that the researcher employed to conduct the

research. It consists of several sub-chapters, which are research design, data, source

and context of data, research instrument, data collection and analysis techniques and

trustworthiness of data.

A. Research Design

This reseach deals with the style of language. Therefore, the suitable approach

is qualitative research. Strauss and Corbin (1998: 11) via Ritchie and Lewis (2003:

16) provide definition of qualitative research as any type of research that produces

findings not arrived at by statistical procedures or other means of quantification. It

produces narrative or textual descriptions of the phenomena under study

(Vanderstoep and Johnston, 2009). In line with Vanderstoep and Johnston, Wahyuni

(2012:5) proposes that qualitative research is more concerned with understanding a

phenomenon. Indeed, its aim is to describe meaning.

By employing qualitative research, this research intends to describe in detail

the phenomenon of language style in songs. To be specific, it aims to describe the

types of transference of meaning, the functions and themes found in the Rage Against

The Machine’s Self-Title. The explanations are presented in narrative way.

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B. Form, Source, and Context of Data

The object of the research is Rage Against The Machine’s album entitled Self-

Title. The forms of the data are words, phrases, clauses and sentences containing

transference of meaning. Moreover, in the research, there are two data sources: the

primary and secondary one. The primary one is the songs and the lyrics. The

secondary one is books and journals related to transference of meaning. The context

of the data is the lyrics.

C. Research Instrument

Since the reseacrh is under qualitative approach, the main instrument of the

research is the researcher himself. He involved in all the process of conducting

research including gathering data, analysing them, presenting the explanations and

drawing conclusion. Besides main instrument, he employed secondary instrument,

which was data sheets. The data sheets can be seen as follows.

Table 1. Sample Data Sheets of Transference of Meaning, the Functions and

the Themes Found in the Album Self-Title

Note:

No : Datum Number 1: to afford imaginative pleasure Ca: CapitalismMy : Metonymy 2: to bring additional imagery Ra: RacismSy : Synecdoche 3: to add emotional intensity Br: BrainwashingSi : Simile 4: to say much in brief compass Re: RebellionMr : MetaphorPe : Personification

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No DataTransference of Meaning Functions Theme

ExplanationMy Sy Si Mr Pe 1 2 3 4 Ca Ra Br ReBombtrack

1

Hey yo, it'sjust anotherbombtrack.

..ughh

The expressionshows the use ofmetaphor. Bycomparing his songand bom, the writerexpects that his songcan be like a bomb.It can explode, bringshock, and destroycapitalism intopieces. Thisexpression suggestthe concept of thesong using only fewwords. It makes afeeling of energeticinterest in endingcapitalism. Besides,seeing the likenessbetween two unlikethings producesimaginativepleasure.

D. Data Collection Techniques

The data of the research were collected from the lyrics of the songs. The

researcher collected the data by conducting several procedures that can be seen as

follows:

1. downloading the lyrics of the songs from www.ratm.com,

2. listening the songs comprehensively,

3. checking the accuracy of the lyrics while listening the songs,

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4. Noting data in accordance with the objectives of the research and,

5. Putting the data into data sheets.

E. Data Analysis Techniques

The researcher analyzed the data by conducting several procedures that can be

seen as follows.

1. Classifying the data,

2. Interpreting them,

3. Applying triangulation to achieve trustworthiness,

4. Presenting the explanation of the findings and

5. Drawing the conclusion.

F. Trustworthiness of Data

In qualitative research, a researcher plays important roles. He involves in all

of process of conducting research including gathering data, interpreting them and

drawing conclusion. For that reason, it may give rise to subjective interpretations and

failure at ensuring trustworthiness. To prevent bias and achieve trustworthiness,

triangulation was employed. According to Flick (2009), triangulation is a strategy for

promoting the quality of qualitative research. In line with Flick, Vanderstoep and

Johnston (2009) argue that triangulation refers to using more than one methodology

to address the same question to establish the validity and reliability of the data. To

gain trusworthiness of data, the researcher applied member checking. Lincoln and

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Guba (1985) via Flick (2009: 392) state that member checking involves using

members of the fields under study to validate and interpret data. The researcher

consulted with his two supervisors, namely Titik Sudartinah and Rachmat Nurcahyo.

He also asked two students of English Literature, namely Assari Wulan and Rendra

Novian, to ensure the validity of the data.

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CHAPTER IV

FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION

This chapter is divided into two parts: findings and discussion. The

findings section presents the types of transference of meaning, functions and

themes found in the Rage Against The Machine’s Self-Title in a table. The

discussion section provides the explanations of transference of meaning, functions

and themes found in the album in detail.

A. Findings

The findings of the types of transference of meaning, functions and themes

found in the album are presented in the following table.

Table 2. Types and Functions of Transference of Meaning and Themes

Found in the Album

No Transference ofMeaning Function Theme

1. Metonymy to bring emotional intensity,to say much in brief compass

Brainwashing,Rebellion

2. Synecdoche to bring emotional intensity,to say much in brief compass

Capitalism,Racism, Rebellion

3. Simile

to afford imaginativepleasure, to bring emotional

intensity, to say much in briefcompass

Capitalism,Brainwashing,

Rebellion

4. Metaphor

to afford imaginativepleasure, to bring emotional

intensity, to say much in briefcompass

Capitalism,Racism, Rebellion

5. Personification to bring additional imageryCapitalism,

Brainwashing,Rebellion

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Based on the table, five types of transference of meaning are found in the

album. They are Metonymy, Synecdoche, Simile, Metaphor and Personification.

Each type has its own functions and reflects different themes. Metonymy

functions to bring emotional intensity and to say much in brief compass. It reflects

Brainwashing and Rebellion theme. Synecdoche functions to bring emotional

intensity and to say much in brief compass. It reflects Capitalism, Racism, and

Rebellion theme. Simile functions to afford imaginative pleasure, to bring

emotional intensity and to say much in brief compass. It reflects Capitalism,

Brainwashing and Rebellion theme. Similar to Simile, Metaphor functions to

afford imaginative pleasure, to bring emotional intensity and to say much in brief

compass. It reflects Capitalism, Racism, and Rebellion theme. Personification

functions to bring additional imagery. It reflects Capitalism, Brainwashing and

Rebellion theme.

Based on the explanations above, two points can be stated. First, a figure

of speech may have more than one function in which some of them probably are

the same as the functions brought by other figures of speech. This case happens to

a figure of speech which basically has same characteristics with another like

Metonymy and Synecdoche, Simile and Metaphor. Second, all of the figures of

speech reflect more than one theme. In fact, some of them can reflect three

themes.

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B. Discussion

This section provides the analysis of five types of transference of meaning,

the functions, and the themes found in the album Self-Title. To provide deep

explanations, the researcher took some data to answer the three objectives.

1. Types of Transference of Meaning Found in the Album Self-Title

Leech (1969: 144) states that transference of meaning is particular

mechanisms for deriving one meaning of a word from another. Based on his book,

transference of meaning is divided into five types. They are Metonymy,

Synecdoche, Simile, Metaphor and Personification. All of them are found in the

album.

a. Metonymy

Metonymy occurs when an attribute or quality of something is used to

refer another which is related to it (Drabble, 2000). Jakobson (1956) via Norgard

et al (2010) adds that it is a way of referring something based on association. Not

only does this figure of speech make songs more colorful but it also allows a

writer to refer a thing in a creative way.

Metonymy can provide understanding, making it easier to comprehend a

concept or an idea. This can be seen in the following datum.

Bam! Here's the planMotherfuck Uncle Sam (datum 11)

Metonymy in the datum above is characterized by the word Uncle Sam. Uncle

Sam is an imaginary tall thin man with white beard and a tall hat which is

represented in political cartoon. This figure is associated with the US government.

Furthermore, metonymy in this expression happens for a reason. It makes easier to

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comprehend the idea that the frustration and anger are directed towards the

government. If Uncle Sam is altered to America, then it is unclear towards whom

the expression is directed, whether it is directed towards the people, the

government or both.

The line occurs in a song entitled Take the Power Back. The song itself is

the embodiment of the writer’s disappointment to education in America. Teachers

do not give their students knowledge or train them to be skillful. Instead, students

only sit as silent as grave and listen to nonsense and lies teachers tell. It is

suggested by the repetion of the expression No more lies in the end of the song.

As a consequence, they become dull and ignorant about current situation. Indeed,

people must join as group to seize the power to restore condition as the song title

suggests.

Metonymy provides not only understanding of ideas but also situation

which can be seen in datum 18, “A yellow ribbon instead of a swastika.” At a

glance, the line may not be considered metonymic if information about yellow

ribbon and swastika is insufficient. Yellow ribbon is associated with a situation

where a family is waiting for the return of their relatives which are usually soldier

deployed to go war. Meanwhile, Swastika is an old symbol in the form of a cross

with its ends bents at right angles all in the same direction. It is an important

symbol in Buddha and Hinduism which is associated with peace.

The line occurs in a track entitled Bullet in the Head. This song was made

to criticize some involvement of America in war. In the beginning of 1950’s, the

country, which controlled the south territory of Korea, took a part in Korean War

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fighting against Soviet Union that controlled the north territory of Korea. Several

years later, it got involved in Vietnam War. It allied with South Vietnamese to

fight against North Vietnamese supported by Soviet Union. Two decades after

Vietnam War, a year before the album Self-Title was released, America involved

in another war called Gulf Persian War in a mission to stop Saddam Hussein, Iraqi

dictator, trying to invade Kuwait. This series of involvement in war left America

with enormous impacts: thousand deaths of soldier and massive losses money.

Therefore, the writer advocates stopping war and focusing on raising the quality

lives of Americans by asking government to spend the budget more in other

aspects like health and education.

Still in the same song, the writer applies metonymy by suggesting the fact

that an attribute is stated to refer something which is connected with the attribute

as in datum 20, “They load the clip in omnicolor.” Omnicolor means color is

everywhere. It is associated with television since the device is dominated by

multiple colors when it is working. By saying omnicolor instead of television, this

figure of speech raises listener’s attention, making them wonder what is actually

meant by the writer. It also emphasizes the point that the essential element of

television exploited to brainwash people is the color.

Based on the context, Bullet in the Head tells how media is exploited to

brainwash people. In this case, the media that is exploited is television.

Capitalists, who have the access and money to pay media, spread information,

ideas and opinions with the intention of influencing people’s mind by playing

videos in televisions. This is strengthened by some expressions in the song like

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believin' all the lies that they're tellin' ya and buyin' all the products that they're

sellin' ya. Television is preferred as it is the most popular media for many to get

entertainment and information. Besides, it is an irony that television, which is

supposed to provide right information, can be bought to make people believe that

information and ideas broadcasted are truth.

b. Synecdoche

Synecdoche occurs when a part is used to represent a whole or a whole to

represent a part (Norgard et al, 2010: 109). Synecdoche in which a whole

represent a part occurs when cars are referred to as ‘wheels’. Then a part

represents the whole occurs when the Bible is referred to as the Book. Lakoff and

Johnson (1980) propose that synecdoche is not only a way of referring something

but also providing understanding. They also provide an example of synecdoche.

We need a new brain to fix this problem. The word a brain refers to a smart

person. By referring the person as a brain instead of hand, the speaker has the

intention to look a certain quality of the person, intelligence, which is associated

with brain. This figure of speech occurs several times in the Self-Title album.

A synecdoche in which a part is used to refer the whole can be seen in the

following datum.

Dispute the suits I igniteAnd then watch 'em burn (datum 5)

Synecdoche in the expression above is characterized by the word suits. A suit is a

set of clothes made from the same material and having the same color. It is mostly

worn by businessmen and politicians while doing a particular activity to show

formality. By employing this figure of speech, the writer wishes to express his

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anger at businessmen and politicians. Businessmen are selfish; they prefer making

profits as much as possible to sharing the profits for helping the have-nots

struggling to live a life. Meanwhile, politicians, the representative of people, take

no action to change the situation.

Based on the story background, the line occurs in a song entitled

Bombtrack. The song itself was heavily influenced by America’s economic

system, namely capitalism. Capitalism is an economic system based on private or

corporate ownership of property, business and industry rather than by the

government. The production, distribution and price of the goods are determined

by competition in a free market. The main purpose is to make the greatest possible

profits. Capitalism is considered as a ruthless system since it is only beneficial for

those who own factory and industry. It only makes the wealthy wealthier and the

poor poorer. It is due to the fact that profits belong to the landlords not the

employees. The greater the profits are, the richer the landlords are.

Still, synecdoche in which a part is used to refer the whole is employed in

the following datum,

Something must be doneAbout vengeance, a badge and a gun (datum 22)

Synecdoche in the datum is a part to stand for the whole. It is suggested by the

words a badge and a gun. A badge and a gun belong to police. When working,

police officers are equipped with the two things. A badge is to show if one is a

police and a gun is for self-protection. By referring a badge and a gun as police,

the writer intends to stress two points. First, a badge signifies the one who

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commits a crime, namely police. Second, a gun signifies the crime that police

commit, namely gun shooting.

An aspect the song criticizes is how American police deal with black

people. American police are infamous for shooting blacks with gun. They are

more likely to shoot black suspects rather than the white ones. When facing

unarmed black suspects posing no threat, white police keep perceiving blacks to

be dangerous. Due to this, they fire bullets to paralyze them. In fact, police

sometimes perceive innocent blacks as suspect and therefore shoot dead blacks.

The worst is that they are justified because they are police. They get no

punishment for this. If everyone is equal before the law, then they should be

brought to trial as criminals and sentenced.

Like in the two previous data, synecdoche in which a part is used to stand

for the whole occurs in the third example taken from a song entitled Settle for

Nothing. Datum 16, “Having never seen the color of my father's eyes.”,

suggests the occurence of synecdoche. The color of my father’s eyes refers to the

whole persona’s father. Eyes are believed crucial body part in social relationship.

By maintaining eye contact, a strong feeling of love and connection can be

formed. The line implies the horrible life that the persona endures. The persona

has no good time and warm relationship with his father and gets no love as well.

In this datum, synecdoche serves as a tool of referring and providing

understanding.

The line itslef is the reflection of the writer’s childhood life. Zack de la Rocha

was born into a family of multi-races in 1970. His father is a Mexican-American

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father named Robert de la Rocha and his mother is a German-Irish decent named

Olivia Lorryne Carter. When he was a year old, his parents divorced. Then he

moved to Irvine from Los Angeles and lived with his mother but he still split his

time to meet his father. It is this nasty experience that he wants to express through

the use of synecdoche.

c. Simile

Simile occurs when an object, scene, or action are compared directly

through the employment of words such as as or like. It is a figure of speech based

on similarity. It is employed for explanatory, illustrative, or merely ornamental

purpose (Drabble, 2010). By comparing two unlike things, song writers have the

chance to provide explanation about something concisely and efficiently, draw

listeners’ attention and produce artistic works. Simile is employed in several

songs of Self-Title.

The occurence of simile is suggested by the word as in the datum below

taken from a song entitled Bombtrack.

Another funky radical bombtrackStarted as a sketch in my notebook (datum 6)

The line compares two unlike things directly: a song entitled Bombtrack and a

sketch. By employing simile in the line, the song writer has an intention to explain

the song in a clear way. The level explosion of the song is low in the beginning. It

is like a process of drawing a picture which is started by a simple and quickly-

made drawing that has no many details. As the time goes by, the song is expected

to be in its perfect form, having high explosion, like a sketch finished off into a

perfect drawing.

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Through the song, the band transmits resistance of economic injustice,

namely capitalism. The song portrays some shocking facts of capitalism,

including labors abuse by landlords. It also expresses extreme anger at politicians

and businessman who are responsible for capitalism. Moreover, the song brings

the hope that capitalism can be reduced and destroyed. If people have the same

ideas and opinions about capitalism: ruthless and destructive, then they must join

as a group to end capitalism.

Simile is characterized not only by the word as but also by the word like

which can be seen in the following datum.

Some speak the soundsBut speak in silent voicesLike radio is silent (datum 23)

Simile in the expression above compares two different things: the voice of people

and radio. The line suggests that the level sound produced by people is very low.

It is almost like they speak nothing. As a consequence, the utterance cannot be

heard and the messages the utterance carries cannot be delivered. Since the level

sound is very low, it is like a radio in idle position. This cannot be separated from

the context of the song.

Based on the context of the song, Fistful of Steel talks about the anger of

the vocalist at the condition of America. He delivers his frustration through a

fistful of steel, namely microphone. He believes that vocal is not to calm and relax

but to trigger to change the status quo. Besides, he criticizes people who want to

state opinions and ideas but do not state in a firm way. If the opinions and ideas

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want to be considered and understood, people must convey them in louder voice

and confidence.

Similar to previous datum, the word like characterizes simile in the

following datum taken from a song called Bullet in the Head.

Sleeping gas, every home was like AlcatrazAnd mutha fuckas lost their minds (datum 21)

Alcatraz was a prison located in a small island belonging to San Francisco Bay of

California. It was well-known for maximum security that handled dangerous

criminals like alcohol dealer, Al Capone. The expression suggests that there is a

similarity between Americans and Alcatraz’s prisoners. Americans are described

as puppet, having no control of themselves. They are controlled by capitalists. In

fact, sleeping gas is needed to make them calm down. It is due to the impact of

brainwashing.

Bullet in the Head tells a story about how capitalists use their resources to

exploit media for their own advantages. They play attractive videos at prime time,

causing pleasure and drawing someone’s attention so he/she cannot think of

anything else. At the same time, they spread propaganda to believe the lies they

tell are truth and buy the products they sell. As a result, people stop questioning

and just follow what the commands say. This is how they get bullet blasted

through their heads; that is they lost their minds.

d. Metaphor

Metaphor occurs when a thing is compared to another thing to suggest

similar qualities in literary way. Perrine (1969) argues that the comparison is

implied; the figurative term is substituted for or identified with the literal term.

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Characteristics of something are transferred into another that is being described.

Lakoff and Johnson add that its essence is to understand an experience one kind of

thing in terms of another. Metaphor is a figure of speech frequently found in many

literary works. Self-Title is no exception

Metaphor is suggested by direct comparison between two unlike things.

The writer compares his song and a bomb as in datum 1, “Hey yo, it's just another

bombtrack...ughh!”, a line belonging to the song Bombtrack. It may seem absurd

but the song writer has poetic license to do so to achieve a certain purpose. By

comparing his song and bomb, Zack, the song writer, expects that his song can

have the same qualities that a bomb has. It can explode, bring shock, hurt

capitalists, and destroy capitalism into pieces. At the same time, the song brings

the hopes to people that there is still a chance to end capitalism.

Metaphor is not only applied in the songs but also in the name of the band.

The line clearly reflects what the band is made for. The name Rage Against The

Machine draws a comparison indirectly between human and machine to suggest

that the two things have something in common. It is made for delivering extreme

anger at those who have no kindness, feelings and emotions. The aim is to oppose

and fight against people who have such qualities. They can be in the form of

politicians, police and capitalists.

Metaphor exists not only in the form of word but also sentence. This can

be seen from the datum 1 taken from the first line of the song Killing in the Name,

“Some of those that work forces are the same that burn crosses.” Those that

work forces refer to police while those that burn crosses represent Ku Klux Klan.

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The metaphorical expression suggests that those two have something in common.

It intends to express the idea that police are the new Ku Klux Klan. Police glorify

white supremacy and consider black people having no equal rights with white

people. They hurt and shoot blacks but get no punishment for doing these since

they are police.

To get a clear understanding, the context of the song is provided.

According to the context, Ku Klux Klan was a secret US organization based on

the south of the country where slavery of black people was once legalized. Its

members were Southern white Protestant Americans who rejected the idea of

giving blacks the same rights that the whites had. They threatened, hurt and

stopped blacks from claiming racial equality. With a body covered by white robe,

they travelled along on a horse at night through the southern countryside,

terrorized and killedany blacks who struggle to improve the situation. After

killing, they made a sign of burning wooden cross which they placed outside of

the houses of their victims (O’Callaghan, 1990:56).

Metaphor may suggest the comparison between two different things by

only mentioning one thing from the two different things. This phenomenon occurs

in the following datum.

Yes, I dwell in hell, but it's a hell that I can gripI tried to grip my familyBut I slipped (datum 27)

If one gives a short look at the datum above, chances are he/she does not

regard the datum as a metaphorical expression; yet it is. The datum is considered

as implied metaphor since it compares a thing to another indirectly. It draws a

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comparison between the persona’s home and hell. The persona’s home is

presented as having the similar characteristics as the hell has. It is an extremely

unpleasant and nasty place where never-ending sorrow exists. It causes trouble,

physical and mental pain. Indeed, this unique comparison brings strong emotion

to the listeners. This unique comparison seems exaggerating but it is intended to

emphasize what the writer means.

The line of a song entitled Settle for Nothing was inspired by the writer’s

childhood. When Zack was a boy, he was having hard times. He had to split his

time with his father and mother who decided to separate. In his thirteenth, he got

his father suffered from a serious mental illness that caused his father to be more

religious. For this reason, he was forced by his father to live the same life that he

lived: abandoning physical pleasure for religious reasons. Besides, he found out

that Irvine, his environment, was a home of racists. He got some unfair treatments

for his half-Mexican identity.

e. Personification

Personification occurs when inanimate objects, concepts or animals are

treated as if they had qualities or attributes that human had or possed human form

(Drabble, 2010). This treatment may lead people to imagine the objects or

concepts exist in a form like human. They can be seen, touchedand felt.

Furthermore, personification provides a large amount of knowledge about non-

human entities in terms of human qualities and activities (Lakoff and Johnson

(1980). This kind of figurative language is found several times in the album Self-

Title.

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In the first example of personification taken from a line of Take the Power

Back, the system is presented as a human that can act.

Yeah, we need to check the interiorOf the system that cares about only one culture (datum 12)

The system is capable of protecting and defending certain people. This reflects an

idea that laws do not fit to their ideal image: they do not treat people equally. In

fact, the existence of laws is to order the way in which society behaves, prevent

crime and bring those who commit crime to trial and punish them. Indeed, it

seems ironic to see that laws, which are supposed to be applied to all, are made to

keep certain people immune to prosecution.

The line is found in a song entitled Take the Power Back. The song itself is

not only the embodiment of anger at education but also government. The line

considers that laws and rules are not merely human. It is much more specific,

namely laws and rules are enemy. They have the ability to oppose, harm and hurt

people. If they are not stopped, they may give rise to sorrow and suffer. As a

consequence, protests against government to change law policies into what it is

supposed to be can be justified.

In personification, a concept is often given qualities to act like human; it

performs a particular activity. Yet, this does not happen in the datum below.

To expose and close the doors on those who tryTo strangle and mangle the truth (datum 14)

The datum is a little bit different from the previous one. Truth, a non-living entity,

is represented as a human for having the characteristics of living entity. Even

though it cannot act, it has a life. It exists in a form that can be seen, touched, and

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felt. Indeed, these treatments make it possible to kill truth by pressing the throat

and tear truth into pieces. Personification in this datum makes it clear that the aim

of brainwashing is to kill truth.

Based on the background of the story, the writer describes the government

as oppressor. The government treats people in an unfair and cruel way and stop

people from having freedom and opportunities. They silence people through

power, brainwash through school and the mass media. As a result, people behave

according to the status quo and take no actions to counteract the government.

Because in democratic country, power lies in the hand of people, then people

should not be afraid of their government. Instead, government should be afraid of

their people.

Like in the first example, the last example of personification that appears

in a line belonging to the song Bullet in the Head describes non-human entity as a

human entity.

Corporations coldTurn ya to stone before ya realize (datum 19)

It is impossible for corporations to be magician, having a power to change people

into stone. Therefore, the expression should not be understood literally since it has

figurative meaning. It only wants to reflect the idea that in capitalistic society,

corporations do not show kindness and love. Their ultimate concern is to make

profits, not to improve the quality of society. They can use various ways to

persuade people in the hope that people are willing to buy their products. When

this happens, people get their minds locked.

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Capitalism is criticized by many as an evil system. Its ultimate aim is to

earn profits as great as possible. These profits are used to expand another factory.

The new factory is also established to earn profits. Furthermore, capitalists exploit

employees to earn profits. Employees are seen as machines to work hard until

their last breath and they get no standard salary for their tireless efforts. They have

to do this because they have families to feed on. If they are no longer capable of

working, landlords just find other employees to replace them. There is a great

chance that this vicious system exists for a long time if people are not united to

counteract capitalism.

2. Functions of Transference of Meaning Found in the Album Self-Title

The core of figurative language is to say something in imaginative

meaning. Figurative language enables people to convey ideas and opinion in a

clear and firm way than the literal one does. It has four functions. The functions

are to afford imaginative pleasure, to bring additional imagery, to bring emotional

intensity and to say much in brief compass (Perrine, 1969). All of them are found

in the album.

a. To Afford Imaginative Pleasure

Figures of speech provide a great delight in imagination. Imagination is

the ability to relate a thing with another. The mind gets a source of pleasure,

satisfaction and happiness in seeing similarities between two different things. For

example, starring clouds in the sky and shaping them into another shape can bring

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imaginative pleasure (Perrine, 1969). This function is found several times in the

album.

A way of achieving creativity is relating a thing to another which is

completely different from it. This happens in the first example of affording

imaginative pleasure function brought by metaphor as in datum 1, “Hey yo, it's

just another bombtrack...ughh!” The writer considers that his song has

similarities with a bomb. His song is a device designed to explode and destroy

something into pieces in order to bring shock, extreme fear and deep hurt. It aims

to attack on capitalism and those who get involved in capitalism. Creating

resemblance between different things provides a source of pleasure in the exercise

of imagination.

Music is a powerful device to influence people because almost every

people in the world love music. This is clearly what Rage Against The Machine

has done. Through music, they want to spread their ideas and opinions about

crucial issues. In this song, they bring awareness to people that capitalism is a

cruel system. They enlighten people that businessmen and politician have control

and authority over capitalism. They act as a catalyst for change in economy

system.

Imaginative pleasure can be gained by stating the similarity between two

unsimilar things as in a line of Township Rebellion.

'Cause our people still dwell in hellLocked in a cellYes,the structure's a cell (datum 25)

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Through metaphor, the expression indicates that two unlike things, structure and

cell, have something in common. The cell is the source domain used to describe

the structure, the target domain. The way the government runs the country is like

a cell of prison. The government offers no freedom and limits the movement of

people, which are basic human rights. It rules people in an unfair and cruel way

and prevent them from having opportunities and improvement. Suggesting

likeness between unlike things provide imaginative pleasure.

The essence of government is to bring benefits to society since

government consists of politicians voted directly to be representatives of people.

Government should act as a catalyst for improvement. Nevertheless, they do not

work as they are supposed to be. Instead, they oppress the people. They give no

freedom of speech and try to silence people by making them live like in a jail in

the hope that the people do not gain the power.

Similar to previous datum, in the last example of affording imaginative

pleasure function, imaginative pleasure can be gained by stating the similarity

between two unsimilar things as in datum 27, “Anger is a gift.”, a line of a song

called Freedom. A fixed idea about anger is that it is a bad emotion. It is a feeling

that needs to be stopped. Nevertheless, the writer believes otherwise; anger is a

present. Anger is a blessing that triggers people to take actions against something

wrong and hurtful. This implies that people are still aware about what is

happening around. Still, anger can motivate people to think creatively in resolving

problems. Through seeing likeness between two unlike things, imaginative

pleasure can be produced.

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Anger indicates that people still have heart human and understanding.

People often get angry as the response to unfairness or something wrong which is

happening around. They believe that this unfairness or the wrong things should

not happen. For this reason, anger can be like fuel. It gives energy and trigger

people to find the right way to counteract the unfairness. Based on this

description, anger should not be longer considered as a negative emotion. Instead,

it fills human with enthusiasm and spirit.

b. To Bring Additional Imagery

Figurative language is a means of adding more imagery into literary

works. Words are arranged in a creative way to describe ideas or situations. This

unique use of words brings pleasure and surprise to readers and catches their

attention. Figurative language also serves as a tool provides understanding. It

makes ideas clear so it is easy to comprehend. Furthermore, it can lead people to

imagine something unreal as if it was real (Perrine, 1969). Some examples of this

function can be seen as follows.

Personification in datum 2, “And the business that burned us all.”, a line

belonging to a song called Bombtrack, brings additional imagery function through

giving human qualities to the business. Based on the background, Bombtrack is an

anti-capitalistic song. The writer wants to depict some horrible truths of

capitalism. Through personification, he describes business as an antagonist

fighting against the protagonist, namely society. Business has capability of

making many suffer and preventing them from improving lives. Personification in

this datum suggests these certain truths of capitalism in a very clear way.

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In capitalism system, factors of production such as land, transportation, oil

and employees can be owned by individuals. They are organized to gain

maximum profits with no consideration of negative effect in social and

environmental aspects. In social aspect, the belief that work hard can give

achievement opportunity does not apply to labors. Labors work in day and night

to earn low salary with no compensation and promotion. Meanwhile in

environmental aspect, the pollution of factories causes damage to earth, resulting

in global warming.

Still in the same song, the second example of bringing additional

imaginary presents news and views as human by the employment of

personification as in datum 3, “See through the news and the views that twist

reality.” News and views are personified as human, specifically as soldier of

fortune. They can be bought to fight for capitalists. By broadcasting programs,

television and radio alter truth in a dishonest way based on what capitalists want.

They make people believe something by repeatedly telling them that it is true.

They also hypnotize people to buy products of capitalism by showing attractive

but deceiving advertisements. Figurative language provides a clear and certain

description of the two concepts.

Capitalists are devil in the form of human. Their great concern is to get

most money and avoid helping those who are in poverty and starvation. Since they

own factory, they can offer people jobs with minimum salary. In order to get

customers mesmerized, they constantly advertize their products on the mass

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media, resulting in massive selling. Capitalists can do all of these things due to

unlimited resources and money.

Again, in the last example of bringing additional imagery function,

personification treats a concept as if it was a human as in datum 26, “When

ignorance reigns, life is lost.” The line belongs to a song called Township

Rebellion. The writer employs personification to give some knowledge of

ignorance. In the expression, ignorance is imagined as human. Due to this

treatment, it is real, existing in a form that can be seen and felt. Ignorance is a

ruler and society is the people. This implies that people live their lives according

to the status quo and preserve it. They become dull and unaware about what is

happening around them. They may seem alive outside but dead inside. This

condition can bring no room for development.

If ignorance takes over, life is meaningless. This is because society

conforms to the status quo and acceptscurrent situation. They have no great desire

and hope to improve the condition because the way things are now does not seem

wrong. They think uncritically and take everything for granted. They seem to live

without any purpose in life. In fact, life becomes meaningful when people know if

there is something wrong around them and take actions to resolve it.

c. To Bring Emotional Intensity

Figures of speech are a means of adding emotional intensity into songs.

They can deliver feelings like love, anger, disappointment or sadness in a strong

way (Perrine, 1969). Due to this matter, listeners may feel and understand the way

the song writers feel and think about something and they are more likely to be

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attached to the songs. In fact, they can cry, get the mood boosted or have the hurt

heart healed after listening to the songs. This function occurs several times in the

album.

In the first example taken from the opening line of Killing in the name.,

the function of adding emotional intensity is brought by metaphor which can be

seen in datum 7, “Some of those that work forces are the same that burn

crosses.” By employing metaphor, the writer wants to emphasize the idea that

there is no difference between police and Ku Klux Klan. Police do not believe in

racial equality between whites and blacks. They may beat, shoot and kill blacks

with showing no mercy. In fact, they are excused from trial for killing because

they are police. This implies that police are still protected by other whites like

their commander and judges. The idea that police can be as cruel as Ku Klux Klan

brings strong feelings of anger, disappointment and despondency. Police are

supposed to protect people, not to hurt them.

Ku Klux Klan was a terrorist group organizing violence in the southern of

America shortly after Civil War ended and advocating white supremacy. The

members rampaged and killed countless blacks and raped black women. Some

were dead with a rope tied around their neck. They targeted not only human but

also buildings. Houses, schools and churches were burnt. They also killed those

who fought for claiming racial equality, no matter they were white or black. Their

aim was only to bring whites again as master and reduce blacks to slave (Zinn,

1980:198-200).

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Similar to previous datum, the function of adding emotional intensity

existing in a line of Settle for Nothing is brought by metaphor which can be seen

in datum 15, “A jail cell is freedom from the pain in my home.” A stereotype of

jail cell is that jail cell is a place where criminals feel great suffering forgetting

limited movement and controlled. However, the line presents jail cell as the

otherwise. Jail cell is described to have a good opinion; it is the exit of pain. This

indicates that living in home can bring suffering. Home is the last place to find

peace and happiness. Since it badly hurts, it would be much better to live in a jail

than in a home. These descriptions give rise to intense feelings of bitterness and

unpleasantness.

This song was written based on the writer’s past life. Zack underwent a

cruel experience when he was studying in a high school full of white people.

When teaching, the teacher made a reference of an area between San Diego and

Oceanside as a wetback station. In an instant, students around Zack looked and

laughed at him. Wetback is a disapproving term used to describe Mexicans who

enter America illegally by swimming Rio Grande River.

Still in the same song, to bring emotional intensity function can be

achieved not only by metaphor but also by synecdoche as in datum 16, “Having

never seen the color of my father's eyes”. Synecdoche is not only a special

device for referring something in a unique way, but also multiplying emotions.

The color of my father’s eyes stands for the whole persona’s father, namely the

writer’s father. The writer chose eyes rather than other parts since a strong feeling

of connection are created and maintained through eyes. This indicates that the he

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does not spend his time and make any memorable memories with his father.

Indeed, synecdoche brings deep feelings of sadness and harshness.

In a song, emtional intensity can be added not only by the lyrics but also

by the music. The song is considered pretty different compared to others in the

album. It is started with plucking of bass strings, a howl of guitar and weak sound

of drum. Along with this arrangement, Zack sings every verse quietly but screams

in the chorus. This composition of music and vocal along with the lyrics shows

clearly the song mood: depressed, frustrated and angry.

d. To Say Much in Brief Compass

Figurative language is seen as a way to achieve brevity. It enables writers

to say and describe something using only few words and to avoid unnecessary

words (Perrine, 1969). This function is crucial to songs as they are only made up

of few verses. By employing this function, song writers are able to state their

opinions and ideas that would require a mountain of words concisely and

forcefully. This function can be brought by several figures of speech. Here are

several examples occur in the album.

In the first example of saying much in brief compass function, the figure

of speech that brings the function is synecdoche, which exists in the lines of

Bombtrack.

Dispute the suits I igniteAnd then watch 'em burn (datum 5)

The biggest mistake in interpreting figurative language is to take the literal

meaning of words. In fact, the essence of figurative language is to understand its

imaginative meaning and interpret based on the context. The word suits in the

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expression should not be interpreted as a set of clothes. Yet, they refer to the ones

who wear suits: businessmen and politicians. The writer delivers his anger at

busniessman and politicians since they are responsible for the existence of

capitalism. Through employing synecdoche, he can make two references and

explain why he is angry at these two using only few words.

Businessmen and politicians greatly influence on capitalism existence.

Their relationship is based on mutual agreement. As proposed by Adam Smith,

the father of modern economy, government plays as invisible hands to make sure

corporate earning profits without external disruption. Government, which consists

of politicians, issues rules and laws and offers large companies prevention through

police and punishment through trial. If somebody breaks the laws, there will be a

trial in court to decide the punishment. As the return, capitalists fund politicians’

campaign so that the politicians can maintain their position.

In the second example of saying much in brief compass function, the

figure of speech that brings the function is metaphor, which appears in a song

called Settle for Nothing.

Yes, I dwell in hell, but it's a hell that I can gripI tried to grip my familyBut I slipped (datum 17)

The core of metaphor is to understand a thing in the term of another. In this

datum, metaphor transfers some characteristics of hell to persona’s home.

Persona’s home is like a hell. It is extremely unpleasant, cruel and harsh. It causes

unbearable problems and difficulties. It is a place where pain continues for all

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time and there is no way to leave the pain. These descriptions can be suggested

using only few words through metaphor.

The song talks about the writer unpleasant experiences about family and

social life. His parents separated when he was still a baby. He lived with

hismother at one time and father at another time. In his teenager, he found his

father suffered great mental illness which made his father a strict Christian. He

was forced to live according to religious laws. In social life, he considered himself

as an outcast. He had no place in high school because his classmates refused to

accept him for he is a half Mexican.

In the third example of saying much in brief compass function taken from

a line of a song called Bullet in the Head, the figure of speech that brings the

function is metonymy, which occurs in datum 18, “A yellow ribbon instead of a

swastika.” Yellow ribbons are associated with a condition in which soldiers are

deployed to go war. The family of solders ties yellow ribbon on house to

remember soldiers and wait for the return. Swastika is a symbol connected with

peace. The song was written to express disapproval of America’s involvement in a

series of war including Korean War, Vietnam War, and East Middle War. Instead

of focusing taking care of the people, the government’s concern was to go war. If

this information is expressed in literal language than figurative one, it will require

a great number of words.

There is a reasonable judgment about the involvement of America in war.

Defense industry has been driving significantly the economic growth in every part

of the country. This can be traced back in 1930’s, the time when Great Depression

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happened. Great Depression reduced the economy of US. It collapsed stock

market, raised unemployment rate massively and led some to commit suicide.

However, things changed radically when World War II happened. Factories began

producing gun, and bullet and unemployment dropped gradually. As a result, US

economy returned to be in good condition.

3. Themes Reflected Through Transference of Meaning in the Album Self-

Title

Theme is the main subject described in a piece of literary work. It can be

stated directly or indirectly and a story may have one or multiple theme.

Furthermore, theme can be reflected through many elements like character,

setting or plot (Lukens, 1999). In a song, an element that can reflect theme is

figurative language. Figurative language employed in the Self-Title reflects four

themes. They are Capitalism, Racism, Brainwashing and Rebellion.

a. Capitalism

The fact that the writer lives in a country that applies capitalism as the

economy system motivates him to addres capitalism. The album was written to

criticize capitalism in which capitalism brings no improvement to society. Instead,

the system causes problems and difficulties. Some figures of speech reflect this

theme in several songs.

Some horrible truths of capitalism are suggested by personification as in

datum 2, “And the business that burned us all.” Based on the context, the song

criticizes problems raised by capitalism. In capitalism, the main idea is to earn

profits as great as possible. This can be achieved by reducing costs of production.

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Companies establish factories in countries which provide cheap labor like China,

Vietnam and Indonesia. Labors are required to work more than the time expected

in the job and get no compensation for this. The overtime working may raise

depression and lead some to commit suicide. In fact, company may hire children

to work in factory. Therefore, it is no surprise that business can hurt countless

people.

In capitalistic society, labors seem to be powerless. They have no strong

position in bargaining with landlords for better wages and working conditions.

This is all influenced by the fact that the landlords own the factory and may offer

wage as whatever they please. If labors disagree with the wage and working

conditions agreement, they just find other labors. Inevitably, labors say yes since

they need money to carry on life. It is true that most of labors are uneducated but

it does not mean that labors deserve to be treated in an unfair way. After all, they

are still human.

The point that capitalism existentence is due to the involvement of

businessmen and politicians is brought by the employment of synecdoche. This

can be seen in the following datum.

Dispute the suits I igniteAnd then watch 'em burn (datum 5)

The suits stand for the wearer, namely businessmen and politicians. Businessmen

and politicians are the target that the writer aims at because they are responsible

for capitalism existing in America. The things get worse if the politician who is in

the power has a background as a busniessman. This case happens to a super power

country, namely America.

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The US president-elects, a truly embodiment of capitalism, named Donald

Trump background as a successful businessman strongly affects on his policy-

making. During his campaign, he promised to lower the taxes of rich people so

that they can expand business and make economy grow. This policy can raise the

gap between the haves and the haves-not. The haves may have another luxurious

house filled with super expensive cars while the haves-not struggle only to eat and

find shelter. In fact, he even ignores that environmental destruction is the impact

of capitalism. He believes that establishing factories with concerning environment

only makes it harder for businessmen to expand business. Certainly, he gets harsh

criticism from eco-warriors. The background of businessman clearly has

enormous influences on Trump’s policy.

The idea that corporations concern is to earn money as great as possible

and to use the profits to make another expansion is explained by personification

reflecting capitalism theme. It is expressed by a line of a song called Bullet in the

Head.

Corporations coldTurn ya to stone before ya realize (datum 19)

The use of personification indicates the notion that in capitalistic society,

corporations do not have sympathy and compassion quality. They can use various

ways to trap people into buying their products. They may create persuasive and

tricky advertisements or buy off newspapers and tabloids to provide good reviews

about the products. These dishonest ways lead consumers to get hypnotized and

buy the products that they actually do not need without control.

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Consumption plays significant roles in capitalism since capitalism is

characterized by the mass production of goods. Thus, corporations try so much to

put the idea consumerism into people’s mind. They make massive promotion and

big sale to attract people to come to store to buy products as many as possible. As

a consequence, the consumers do not have good consideration to buy the products.

In fact, they may buy products that they actually do not need.

b. Racism

In his childhood, the writer got open hostility by his classmates for his

Mexican descent. He turned uncomfortable and felt that he did not get welcome

and thought his classmates were not his friends. However, he did not speak a

single word to express his feeling. Due to the pain of being alienated, he

convinced himself that he refused to silence anymore. He had the heart to fight

against unfair treatment of race. He delivered his frustration and disappointment

to racism by songs composed of angry lyrics. In the Self-Title, only two figures of

speech reflect racism theme.

In the Self-Title, the writer focuses only on racism committed by police. In

the first example taken from a line belonging to Killing in the Name, metaphor

shows unkindness of police as in datum7, “Some of those that work forces are

the same that burn crosses.” Some of those that work forces stand for police

while the same that burn crosses Ku Klux Klan. Ku Klux Klan was a terrorist

group advocating white supremacy and opposing black people. Nowadays, it does

not exist anymore but their beliefs are still well-preserved. This is exactly what

the writer wants to emphasize by describing police as Ku Klux Klan through

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metaphor. Police are racist. They may behave towards black people in an immoral

way. They believe that blacks have no equal rights with whites because blacks

were once slave.

Those who died are justified, for wearing the badge, they're the chosen

whites. The first line of refrain belonging to Killing in the Name suggests that

police have privilege. Police may treat in a cruel way or even kill blacks for the

fact that they are police. The worst is that the act of killing does not put police into

trial because after all and again, police are considered innocent since they are

police.

In the second example, synecdoche describes how the police commit

racism which can be seen in the datum below.

Something must be doneAbout vengeance, a badge and a gun (datum 22)

The words a badge and a gun in the expression stand for the owner which is

police. By employing synecdoche to refer a badge and a gun as police, the writer

wishes to emphasize two crucial points. A badge characterizes the ones who

commit a crime which are police. A gun signifies the crime that police commit

which is gun shooting at blacks.

As can be seen in the expression, the writer advocates taking actions in

dealing with gun shooting committed by police. America is notorious for a series

of gun shooting triggered by the difference of color skin. Police have bigger

chance to shoot black suspects rather than the white ones because there is a

stereotype that crime is mostly associated with blacks. In fact, when dealing with

unarmed black suspects posing no threat, white police perceive the blacks to be

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dangerous. They shoot dead blacks and get no consequence for their brutal

actions. If laws treat everyone equally, police should be put into trial.

c. Brainwashing

The mass media like newspaper, radio and television has become double-

edged sword. On the one hand, they can report important events, deliver

information in a quick way and entertain people. On the other hand, they can be

exploited by certain people. They can be bought to brainwash people and prevent

people from reaching right information. This issue is highlighted in several songs

of the album.

A way of brainwashing people is through the mass media. This is reflected

by the employment of personification existing in datum 5, “See through the news

and the views that twist reality.” Brainwashing is committed by broadcasting

programs; television and radio alter truth in a dishonest way based on what

capitalists want. It is realized by making people believe something by repeatedly

telling them that it is true with the intention of influencing people’s opinions.

Brainwashing can happen around the word, including Indonesia. In 2014,

Indonesia was having election fought by two candidates. The election was tinged

with a controversy. A television station owned by the supporter of candidates’

number 1 broadcasted survey stating that the candidates number 1 would win the

election. This was contrary to other surveys stating that candidates’ number 2

would be the winner. This propaganda aimed to alter truth in a dishonest way with

the intention of political agenda. Indeed, people should be critical about

information spread through the mass media.

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Another way of brainwashing is through laws and rules. This notion is

reflected by the employment of personification appearing in the following datum.

But the system that dissed usTeaches us to read and right (datum 8)

In the expression, the system is described as a human. It is capable of opposing

and hurting society. The expression indicates that the government persuades

society to fully accept their ideas, opinions and beliefs so that society does not

consider others’. The indoctrination is spread through school in order to maintain

the status quo. Teacher tells students lies and nonsense instead of knowledge and

students only sit and listen. For this reason, a movement is needed to take the

power back.

In the right light, study becomes insight. The opening line belonging to the

song entitled Take the Power Back clearly explains how important education is.

Education is a way of elevating life. It provides knowledge that can be used to

resolve problems. It also can get people proper jobs and prosperous life.

Moreover, education people with high education can make careful judgment about

something and therefore they are not brainwashed easily.

Again, the idea that television is used to brainwash people is suggested by

the use of metonymy, which can be seen in datum 20, “They load the clip in

omnicolor.” The word omnicolor stands for television. Thus, the expression

conveys that by using unlimited resources, capitalists capitalize on television to

brainwash people by playing a video. This immoral way is committed to make

people buy products the capitalists sell.

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In the beginning of 90’s, television was the ultimate choice for many to get

entertainment as internet was notyetpopular. At night after working, many people

sit on couch and watch television. However, capitalists use this moment for their

own advantage. They play an eye-catching but deceiving clip and rewind it at

prime time to lock people’s mind. As a consequence, people may lose their

common sense and follow what capitalists say. It is what the writer calls as the

mass mind rape.

d. Rebellion

Zack and Morello are the two main figures of the band. Zack writes the

lyrics while Morello arranges the music. Their background has great influences on

how the band composes songs. Zack is a son of a muralist dedicated the paintings

for Mexican-American people. Meanwhile, Morello is a son of Kenyan diplomat

father and an activist mother. He graduated from Harvard University with

Bachelor Degree in Social Studies. Indeed, they are concerned with politics. They

believe that music is to trigger people to take actions against government if the

government treats the people in an unfair way.

The writer advocates in seizing the power through several songs. The song

Take the Power Back in which personification exists is no exception,

Ignorance has taken overYo, we gotta take the power back! (datum 9).

The expression treats ignorance as if it was a human. It is real, existing in a form

that can be seen and felt. To be specific, ignorance is presented as the leader and it

rules people. This description indicates that people conform to the status quo,

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obeying what the ruler commands. They become unconscious of problems

happening around and take no actions to resolve the problems.

If ignorance takes over, life means nothing. It is due to the fact that society

conforms to the status quo and accepts current situation. They have no strong will

to make things much better because they think nothing is wrong with their life.

They accept the things without having good consideration. They seem to give up

on life. In fact, life becomes meaningful when people know if there is something

wrong around them and take actions to resolve it.

The writer also describes how rebellion should be done. This is expressed

through the employment of simile which exists a song called Fistful of Steel in

which simile appears.

Some speak the soundsBut speak in silent voicesLike radio is silent (datum 23)

The line suggests that the voice produced by people is very low in sound. It is

almost like they speak nothing. As a consequence, the utterance cannot be heard

and the messages the utterance carries cannot be delivered. Since the voice is very

low, it is like a radio in idle position.

Actions against government should be done without compromise. People

need to show no fear of conveying opinions and ideas. They should join as a

group to strengthen force and make the voice louder. When these things are done,

there is a great chance that the opinions and protests can be delivered to and

considered by the government. For this reason, the datum belongs to rebellion

theme.

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In a song called Freedom, the writer correlates rebellion with anger which

can be seen thorugh metaphor existing in datum 27, “Anger is a gift.” He presents

anger as something good, contrary to popular idea considering anger as something

bad. Anger is a present that triggers people to take actions against something

wrong and hurtful. It can lead people to find the best solution of problems. Indeed,

anger can show compassion and empathy quality of one.

Anger indicates that people still notice what is happening around. People

often get angry as the response to unfairness happening around. When they are

angry, they show a strong feeling of sympathy and sadness for the suffering others

and a wish to help them. This feeling of anger makes them think that this

unfairness should not happen. For this reason, anger can be like fuel. It gives

people the energy to take actions against the unfairness.

From the explanations that have been presented, there are some points that

can be drwan. First, the five types of transference of meaning are employed in the

album Self-Title. This suggests that the writer is a creative person. Second, a

figure of speech may carry more than one function in which some of them

probably are the same as the functions of other figures of speech. Third, the

themes reflected by the use of figurative language are concerned with American

government and the people.

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CHAPTER V

CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS

A. Conclusions

As stated in Chapter I, the aims of this research are to describe the type of

transference of meaning, the functions and the themes found in the Rage Against

The Machine’s Self-Title. After the analysis has been done, some conclusions are

drawn based on the findings and discussion in Chapter IV. The researcher draws

some conclusions as follows.

1. All of the five types of transference of meaning proposed by Leech are found

in the album Self-Title. They are Metonymy, Synecdoche, Simile, Metaphor

and Personification. This implies that the writer is a creative person. He can

combine rhymes and figurative language to produce artistic works.

2. All of the four functions of figurative language proposed by Perrine are found

in the album Self-Title. The functions are to afford imaginative pleasure, to

bring additional imagery, to bring emotional intensity, and to say much in

brief compass. To be specific, Metonymy functions to bring emotional

intensity and to say much in brief compass. Synecdoche functions to bring

emotional intensity and to say much in brief compass. Simile functions to

afford imaginative pleasure, to bring emotional intensity, and to say much in

brief compass. Similar to Simile, Metaphor functions to afford imaginative

pleasure, to bring emotional intensity, and to say much in brief compass.

Personification functions to bring additional imagery.

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Based on this explanation, it can be said that one figure of speech may have

the same functions as other figures of speech. For example, simile and

metaphore bring the same functions since they are based on comparison.

Another is Metonymy and Synecdoche since Synecdoche is a subclass of

Metonymy. Meanwhile, personification is the only figure that brings

additional imagery since when a non-human entity is personified, it is

imagined as if it were real.

3. The use of transference of meaning reflects the themes of the album. The

researcher took only several data to explore and obtain clear descriptions of

the themes the band brought. The album addresses some crucial issues which

are mainly concerned with the American government and the society. Based

on the findings and discussions in Chapter IV, transference of the meaning

applied in the album reflects four themes. They are Capitalism, Racism,

Brainwashing, and Rebellion. Self-Title deals with the ruthlessness of

capitalism, racism committed by the police, the mass media brainwashing and

advocates taking actions against the government.

B. Suggestions

Based on the conclusions, some suggestions can be drawn as follows.

1. To the Readers

The readers should be open to the idea that figurative language is not only

for aesthetic purpose, making literary works more creative and pleasing. It

also has other functions and can illuminate the themes the works have.

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2. To Future Researchers

This research is limited to analyze only some types of figurative language

whereas there are still other types of figurative language. For this reason,

future researchers can use other theories or different approaches to explore

the same subject. Moreover, it is also possible to use the same theory to

analyze other literary works like novels or movies.

3. To English Literature Students

The researcher suggests that English Literature students study Stylistics

and students of Linguistics major conduct stylistics research because there are

many interesting literary woks worth to analyze.

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REFERENCES

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and Theory. (Third Ed.). Harlow: Longman.Bussmann, Hadumod. 1998. Routledge Dictionary of Language and Linguistics.

London: Taylor & Francis e-Library.Drabble, Margaret. 2000. The Oxford Companion to English Literature. (Sixth Ed.).

New York: Oxford University Press Inc.Flick, Uwe. 2009. An Introduction to Qualitative Research. London: SAGE

Publications.Kovecses, Zoltan. 2010. Metaphor. New York: Oxford University Press.Lakoff, George & Johnson, Mark. 1980. Metaphor We Live By. Chicago: The

University of Chicago.Leech, Geoffrey. 1969. A Linguistic Guide to English Poetry. London: Longman.Leech, Geoffrey & Short, Mick. 2007. Style in Fiction. (Second Ed.). Harlow: Pearson

Education Limited.Lukens, Rebecca J. 1999. A Critical Handbook of Children’s Literature. (Sixth Ed.).

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Akhter, Saira & Hayat, Mazhar. 2012. Grammatical Deviations in Samuel Beckett’sWaiting for Godot.http://www.languageinindia.com/sep2012/sairawaitingforgodot.pdf. Accessedon 15 July 2016.

Aslam, Saima, et al. 2014. Stylistic Analysis of the Poem Bereft by Robert Frost.http://www.idpublications.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/STYLISTICS-ANALYSIS-OF-THE-POEM-%E2%80%9CBEREFT%E2%80%9D-BY-ROBERT-FROST.pdf. Accessed on 13 June 2016.

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Appendix A. Table of Types of Transference of Meaning, the Functions and the Themes Found in the Rage Against The Album

Note:

No: Datum Number 1: to afford imaginative pleasure Ca: Capitalism

My: Metonymy 2: to bring additional imagery Ra: Racism

Sy: Synecdoche 3: to bring emotional intensity Br: Brainwashing

Si: Simile 4: to say much in brief compass Re: Rebellion

Mr: Metaphor

Pe: Personification

No DataTransference of

Meaning Functions ThemeExplanation

My Sy Si Mr Pe 1 2 3 4 Ca Ra Br ReBombtrack

1Hey yo, it's just

anotherbombtrack...ughh!

The expression shows the use of metaphor. Bycomparing his song and bomb, the writer expects thathis song can be like a bomb. It can explode, bringshock, and destroy capitalism into pieces. Thisexpression suggests the concept of the song usingonly few words. It makes a feeling of energeticinterest in ending capitalism. Besides, seeing thelikeness between two unlike things producesimaginative pleasure.

2 And the business Personification is indicated by giving business, a

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No DataTransference of

Meaning Functions ThemeExplanation

My Sy Si Mr Pe 1 2 3 4 Ca Ra Br Rethat burned us all concept, human qualities. It treats business, as if it had

capability of making people suffer. It also rises topicture business as having human body form. Itportrays the horrible truth of capitalism in whichbusiness is only beneficial for wealthy people.

3See through the

news and the viewsthat twist reality

News and views are personified. They are able to altertruth in a way that is dishonest. News and views arepictured as enemy. Then by exploiting media,capitalists can make people believe anything theysaid.

4

Landlords andpower whores

On my people theytook turns

The line portrays power as a human. Power is aharmful person that fights against society and thenmust be stopped. The line also presents the notion ofcapitalism that landlords exploit the proletarians.

5

Dispute the suits Iignite

And then watch 'emburn

Synecdoche is characterized by the word suits. A suitis a set of clothes that is usually worn by politicianand businessman while doing a particular activity.Indeed, the writer is able to say much in few words bysimply saying suits. Besides, this line is themanifestation of persona’s frustration at capitalism.Since he is greatly frustrated, he even has an idea ofkilling politician and businessman.

6

Another funkyradical bombtrackStarted as a sketch

in my notebook

The use of simile is indicated by the word as. Thelevel explosion of the song is low in the beginning. Itis like a process of drawing a picture which is startedby a simple and quickly-made drawing that has nomany details. Indeed, simile describes the concept ofsong in few words. Also, suggesting two differentthings to have something in common brings pleasure

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No DataTransference of

Meaning Functions ThemeExplanation

My Sy Si Mr Pe 1 2 3 4 Ca Ra Br Rein imagination.

Killing in the Name

7

Some of those thatwork forces, are

the same that burncrosses

This expression is metaphorical, expressing the ideathat police and Ku Klux Klan have something incommon. It intends to express that police glorifywhite supremacy and consider black people having noequal rights with white people. They are even justifiedkilling as long as the victim is black. It also bringsstrong emotion to listener that police is as cruel asKKK. Metaphor in this datum is a tool to achievebrevity and produce imaginative pleasure bysuggesting likeness between two unlike things.

Take the Power Back

8

But the system thatdissed us

Teaches us to readand right

The expression implies that laws and rules do not treatpeople in a right way. They are also imagined asteacher, telling the students, people, what to do. Toimprove situation, actions must be taken.

9

Ignorance hastaken over

Yo, we gotta takethe power back!

The line brings an idea that ignorance exists in a formas a ruler and human is the people. It explains asituation in which people conform to the status quo.As the title suggests, they must take the power back.

10

So called facts arefraud

They want us toallege and pledgeAnd bow down to

their God

Another personification is found. Facts are depicted ashuman, having ability to do something. They are ableto deceive people to follow whatever is said. If peopletake no action, the will suffer a lot. For that reason,the datum belongs to rebellion theme.

11 Bam! Here's the Uncle Sam is an imaginary tall thin man with white

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No DataTransference of

Meaning Functions ThemeExplanation

My Sy Si Mr Pe 1 2 3 4 Ca Ra Br Replan

Motherfuck UncleSam

beard and a tall hat that represents US government.The expression is the embodiment of disappointmentand anger against the government’s policy whichoffers no benefit. Therefore, people must go onprotest.

12

Yeah, we need tocheck the interior

Of the system thatcares about only

one culture

Personification is found again in which the system isgiven a quality to take an action. It draws an ideaabout laws that do not fit to their ideal image: they donot treat people equally. To make things better, peoplemust do something.

13

With lecture Ipuncture the

structure of liesInstalled in our

minds andattempting

To hold us back

Personification is suggested by giving a humanquality to the way lies is arranged. It is described ashuman, trying much to prevent people improve theirlives. To tell lies and to convince people to believethat lies are truth is to brainwash.

14

To expose and closethe doors on those

who tryTo strangle andmangle the truth

Truth, non-living object, is treated as if it had a humanbody, existing in a form that can be seen or felt. It hasa life and therefore could be killed. To manipulatetruth is the aim of brainwashing.

Settle for Nothing

15A jail cell is

freedom from thepain in my home

The expression intends to convey that living in homeis badly hurt. Since it badly hurts, it would be muchbetter to live in a jail. The expression delivers thiscondition in a small number of word and showsharshness that the persona endures. Moreover, itproduces imaginative pleasure by seeing similarities

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No DataTransference of

Meaning Functions ThemeExplanation

My Sy Si Mr Pe 1 2 3 4 Ca Ra Br Rebetween two unlike things. To prevent other peopleexperience such thing, actions against governmentshould be taken to end this.

16Having never seenthe colour of my

father's eyes

The colour of my father’s eyes refers to the whole thepersona’s father. It indicates that the persona neverspends his time to have a good time with his fatherand get no love from him as well. Like in the previousdatum, it draws a picture of unhappiness feeling. Toend this, actions against government should be taken.

17

Yes, I dwell in hell,but it's a hell that I

can gripI tried to grip my

familyBut I slipped

In this expression, the persona’s home is consideredsimilar to hell. It is an extremely unpleasant and nastyplace to live in. It causes trouble and suffering.Metaphor in the expression describes these conceptsonly in few words and a strong feeling of bitternessand provides imaginative pleasure. To end this,actions must be taken.

Bullet in the Head

18A yellow ribbon

instead of aswastika

Yellow ribbon is associated with a situation where afamily is waiting for the return of their relatives whichare usually soldier deployed to go war. Swastika is anold symbol connected with peace. The expressionilluminates that government concern is to go to warand presents despondency atmosphere. Thus, peoplemust go protest this issue.

19Corporations coldTurn ya to stonebefore ya realize

The expression personifies corporations not only ashuman but also enemy. They make people freeze,unable to make things better. Besides, the lineconsiders that in capitalistic society, corporations onlybring benefit to the owners not the employees.

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No DataTransference of

Meaning Functions ThemeExplanation

My Sy Si Mr Pe 1 2 3 4 Ca Ra Br Re

20 They load the clip inomnicolor

Omnicolor means color is everywhere and refers totelevision as the device can produce many colors. Theexpression explains clearly that brainwashing can berealized by playing a video in television. It shows apathetic feeling in which television should get peopleentertained and informed instead of brainwashed.

21

Sleeping gas, everyhome was like

AlcatrazAnd mutha fuckas

lost their minds

Alcatraz was a prison with maximum security thathandled dangerous criminals. The datum indicates thatAmericans have a similarity with Alcatraz’s prisoners.Americans are as a puppet, being controlled bycapitalists. Simile in this datum has the function tosuggest the similarities in few words and bringssorrowful atmosphere.

Know Your Enemy

22

Something must bedone

About vengeance, abadge and a gun

A badge and a gun suggest that the line is synecdoche.The two things belong to police. The line is intendedto advocate putting police on a court trial for shootingblack people. It also produces an ironic feeling for thereason that police, supposed to protect people’s lives,take away theirs.

Fistful of Steel

23

Some speak thesounds

But speak in silentvoices

Like radio is silent

The word like characterizes simile. The expressionimplies that the voice of protest is very low andalmost cannot be heard like a radio in idle position.This suggestion produces imaginative pleasure andindicates that people are still afraid to express theiropinion.

24 It's time to flow like The next datum shows another simile. The line

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No DataTransference of

Meaning Functions ThemeExplanation

My Sy Si Mr Pe 1 2 3 4 Ca Ra Br Rethe fluid in ya veins conveys the idea that rebellion should be done like the

blood flowing in veins. It should be done in quick andgreat enthusiasm without compromise. In this line,simile is a tool say the concept concisely to bringpleasure in imagination.

Township Rebellion

25

'Cause our peoplestill dwell in hellLocked in a cell

Yes, the structure'sa cell

Metaphor is indicated by comparing two unlikethings, resulting in imaginative pleasure. The way thegovernment runs the country offers no freedom,which is a basic human right and this brings sorrowfulatmosphere. To get things better, people should go onstrike.

26 When ignorancereigns, life is lost

Ignorance, a concept, is treated as it had human bodyand could become ruler, existing in a form, and takecontrol of society. Personification has the function todescribe a condition in which people conform to thestatus quo. To make things better, actions must betaken.

Freedom

27 Anger is a gift

The expression is metaphorical. It suggests that angeris not something bad but it is a blessing. Anger is atrigger to encourage people to protest againstsomething unfair or hurtful that has happened.Metaphor reflects this notion in few words, adds moreemotion intensity and imaginative pleasure.

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