The Relevance of Metaphor: Emily Dickinson, Elizabeth Bishop and Seamus Heaney

This book explores the use of metaphor in the poetry of Emily Dickinson, Elizabeth Bishop, and Seamus Heaney through the lens of relevance theory, which suggests that communication is influenced by the context and the speaker's intentions. It examines how these poets use metaphor to convey meaning and explore the relationship between language and reality.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 294 pages
Publication date: 29 November 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This book delves into the realm of metaphor as a communicative phenomenon within the poetry of Emily Dickinson, Elizabeth Bishop, and Seamus Heaney, drawing upon the framework of relevance theory, which was first established by Dan Sperber and Deirdre Wilson in the 1980s. The first half of the book provides an introduction to relevance theory, contextualizing it within the realm of literary criticism. It then surveys the historical trajectory of metaphor in literary studies, evaluating relevance theory's account of metaphor, including recent advancements such as Robyn Carston's notion of "the lingering of the literal." The second half of the book explores the role of metaphor in the works of three nineteenth- and twentieth-century poets through the lens of three central terms in relevance theory: inference, implicature, and mutual manifestness. This volume is of significant interest to students and scholars engaged in literary studies, pragmatics, stylistics, as well as relevance theorists.

Introduction:
In the field of communication, metaphor has long been recognized as a powerful tool for conveying meaning and evoking emotions. However, its role in poetry has received less attention, despite its potential to enhance the aesthetic and expressive qualities of literary works. This book aims to explore the significance of metaphor in the poetry of Emily Dickinson, Elizabeth Bishop, and Seamus Heaney, in light of the relevance theory account of communication first developed by Dan Sperber and Deirdre Wilson in the 1980s.

Relevance Theory:
Relevance theory is a cognitive framework that emphasizes the importance of context in communication. It posits that the meaning of a message is not fixed or predetermined but is constructed through the interaction between the sender and the receiver. The theory emphasizes the role of inference, implicature, and mutual manifestness in communication, which are key concepts that will be explored in the context of metaphor in poetry.

The First Half:
The first half of the book introduces relevance theory, situating it in relation to literary criticism. It provides a comprehensive overview of the theory, including its key principles, assumptions, and applications. The book also surveys the history of metaphor in literary studies, tracing its development from ancient times to the present. It assesses relevance theory's account of metaphor, including its strengths and limitations.

The Second Half:
The second half of the book considers the role of metaphor in the work of three nineteenth- and twentieth-century poets through the lens of three terms central to relevance theory: inference, implicature, and mutual manifestness. The poets selected for analysis are Emily Dickinson, Elizabeth Bishop, and Seamus Heaney, who are widely recognized for their innovative use of metaphor.

Inference:
Inference refers to the process by which the receiver of a message draws inferences about the intended meaning of the sender's message based on the context and the sender's prior knowledge. In the context of metaphor, inference plays a crucial role in the interpretation of the poem's meaning. The book explores how poets use metaphor to create inferences about the nature of reality, the human condition, and the relationship between the self and the world.

Implicature:
Implicature refers to the indirect or implied meaning of a message that is not explicitly stated but is understood by the receiver based on the context and the sender's prior knowledge. In the context of metaphor, implicature plays a significant role in the creation of ambiguity and the evocation of emotions. The book examines how poets use metaphor to create implicatures that challenge the reader's assumptions and provoke thought.

Mutual Manifestness:
Mutual manifestness refers to the process by which the sender and the receiver of a message share a common understanding of the meaning of a message. In the context of metaphor, mutual manifestness is achieved when the reader and the poet share a common understanding of the metaphorical meaning of the poem. The book explores how poets use metaphor to create mutual manifestness, which deepens the reader's understanding and appreciation of the poem.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, this book offers a comprehensive exploration of the role of metaphor in the poetry of Emily Dickinson, Elizabeth Bishop, and Seamus Heaney. By drawing upon the framework of relevance theory, it provides a fresh perspective on the communicative power of metaphor in literary works. The book will be of interest to students and scholars working in literary studies, pragmatics, stylistics, as well as relevance theorists.

Weight: 404g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030839567
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021