01 / 21

Literal vs. Figurative
Meaning

Learn to distinguish between what words literally say and what they figuratively mean in fiction and drama.

AP English Literature

What Is Literal Meaning?

Literal meaning is the straightforward, dictionary definition of words. It is the surface-level, denotative sense: what the text says at face value, without any hidden layers or symbolic interpretation.

Literal meaning is the foundation of all reading. You must first understand what the words actually say before you can explore what they might suggest.

What Is Figurative Meaning?

Figurative meaning goes beyond the dictionary definition. It is the implied, connotative, or symbolic sense that words carry: what the author truly intends the reader to understand beneath the surface.

Authors use figurative language to create imagery, evoke emotion, and layer meaning into their work.

Why Does This Distinction Matter?

Deeper Analysis
AP essays require you to move past summary and interpret what the text suggests, not just what it states.
Author's Craft
Understanding figurative language reveals the deliberate choices authors make to shape theme, tone, and character.
Exam Success
Multiple-choice and free-response questions on the AP Lit exam consistently test your ability to distinguish these layers.

The Two Layers of Meaning

SURFACE: LITERAL MEANING What the words actually say (denotation) "The storm raged outside the window." dig deeper DEPTH: FIGURATIVE MEANING What the words suggest or symbolize (connotation) "The storm = internal turmoil of the character."

Think of every literary passage as having two layers. The surface is what you see on first reading. The depth is what the author wants you to feel, question, or understand.

The Literal-Figurative Framework

PASSAGE OF TEXT LITERAL (Denotation) Events Setting Dialogue FIGURATIVE (Connotation) Metaphor Symbolism Irony FULL MEANING

Key Types of Figurative Language

Metaphor
A direct comparison without "like" or "as": "Life is a stage."
Simile
A comparison using "like" or "as": "Her smile was like sunshine."
Symbolism
An object represents something beyond itself: a green light = longing.
Irony
Words convey the opposite of their surface meaning: "What lovely weather" during a hurricane.
Personification
Giving human qualities to non-human things: "The wind whispered."
Hyperbole
Extreme exaggeration: "I've told you a million times."

Denotation vs. Connotation

Denotation (Literal) Connotation (Figurative)
Definition Dictionary meaning of a word Emotional or cultural associations
Example: "snake" A legless reptile Deceit, danger, betrayal
Example: "home" A dwelling or residence Safety, warmth, belonging
In analysis Answers: "What does it say?" Answers: "What does it suggest?"

How to Distinguish the Two

1
Read for surface meaning first. Summarize what literally happens: who, what, where, when.
2
Identify unusual or striking language. Flag metaphors, similes, symbols, repeated images, or anything that seems to carry more weight than its face value.
3
Ask: "Could this mean something else?" If the literal reading feels incomplete or oddly specific, the author may be embedding a deeper message.
4
Connect to theme, character, or context. The figurative meaning should align with the broader patterns in the work.
5
State both layers in your analysis. Show the literal event, then explain the figurative significance: "On the surface... but figuratively..."

Example 1: Shakespeare

Literal
Jacques compares the world to a theatrical stage and people to actors. Taken literally, this is simply false: the world is not a wooden platform.
Figurative
The metaphor suggests that life is performative: people play roles, follow scripts set by society, and eventually exit. It underscores the transience and artifice of human existence.

Example 2: Fitzgerald

Literal
There is a physical green light at the end of Daisy Buchanan's dock across the bay. Gatsby literally looks at it from his mansion.
Figurative
The green light symbolizes Gatsby's unattainable dream: Daisy, wealth, the past, and the American Dream itself. Its distance across the water emphasizes that the dream is always just out of reach.

Example 3: Miller (Drama)

Literal
Eddie states that a person is biologically different from a bird and does not migrate seasonally. This is obviously true at face value.
Figurative
Eddie is arguing that immigrants should not be treated as disposable or temporary: they put down roots. His frustration reveals his deeper fear of losing control over his household and his niece Catherine.

Stage Directions as Figurative Cues

In drama, figurative meaning is not limited to dialogue. Stage directions, lighting, set design, and sound cues can all carry symbolic weight that the AP exam may test.

1
Lighting: A spotlight narrowing on a character can figuratively suggest isolation or exposure.
2
Props: A wilting flower on stage may literally be set dressing, but figuratively it signals decay or lost innocence.
3
Movement: A character turning their back on another is literally a physical action, but figuratively it communicates rejection or betrayal.

Context Clues That Signal Figurative Language

1
Impossible or absurd literal reading: "She drowned in paperwork" cannot be literally true. The absurdity signals figurative meaning.
2
Repetition or emphasis: When an image or word recurs (a bird, a color, a sound), it likely carries symbolic weight.
3
Tonal mismatch: If a character says "How wonderful" in a scene full of tragedy, the irony signals a figurative reversal.
4
Comparison words: "Like," "as," "as if," and "as though" explicitly mark simile. Unmarked comparisons suggest metaphor.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

✕ Treating Everything as Symbolic
Not every detail is figurative. Sometimes a door is just a door. Only assign symbolic meaning when the text supports it through repetition, emphasis, or contextual clues.
✕ Ignoring the Literal Level
Jumping straight to figurative interpretation without understanding the surface meaning leads to unsupported claims. Always establish what literally happens first.
✕ Confusing Author and Character
A character's figurative language reflects that character's perspective: not necessarily the author's. Be precise about who speaks and why.

Summary Comparison

Literal Meaning Figurative Meaning
Definition Face-value, dictionary meaning Implied, symbolic, or connotative meaning
Key question "What does the text say?" "What does the text suggest?"
Techniques Plot summary, paraphrase Metaphor, simile, irony, symbolism
In fiction Events, settings, physical descriptions Themes, motifs, character psychology
In drama Dialogue at face value, stage actions Subtext, symbolic stage directions
AP Exam Rarely the final answer Almost always the deeper, tested layer

Question 1 of 5

The opening line of Pride and Prejudice is best understood as:

Question 2 of 5

A character says: "The walls of this house are closing in on me." If the house is physically normal, the figurative meaning most likely conveys:

Question 3 of 5

The figurative meaning of "measured out my life with coffee spoons" suggests:

Question 4 of 5

In a play, a stage direction reads: "A single lightbulb flickers and dies." This detail most likely functions as:

Question 5 of 5

Which of the following is the best strategy for distinguishing literal from figurative meaning on the AP exam?