Richard's Figurative Language

 Richard's Verbal Analysis 

Ivor Armstrong Richards 

Ivor  Armstrong Richards is one of those great critics of the modern age who have exercised considerable influence on both sides of the Atlantic . T.S . Eliot and I.A. Richards are considered the stalwarts of new criticism . Even if both the pioneers they differ from each other in certain important respects. 

A study of his the practical criticism and a study of literary judgement reveals that I A Richard's seems to be a staunch advocate of a close textural and Verbal study and analysis of a work of art. His approach seems to be more pragmatic and empirical. 

The Importance of Words 

Richards concerns are mainly focused on textual and Verbal Analysis a close study of his works practical criticism and the meaning of the meaning according to him works carry four types of meaning 

• Sense
• Feeling
• Tone 
• Intentions.

Richards concerns are mainly focused on textual and Verbal Analysis. A close study of his works practical criticism and the meaning of the meaning.

Analysis of the Lyrics 

It can be surely said that this song seems to be about people who have been very mean to the lyricist because of the persona  I we get to know for the first time in the sixth  line of the song . 

Calling me out when I m wounded 

The song seems to be open up with an alarming remark and the simple word you become a harsh you which gives the feeling of strangeness and guilt . The opening seeks to harm the mean people .

The very first line suggest a simile where the words are compared with knives normally the word 'word ' provides a sense of pleasing expression but here it becomes an expression for the domineering people . 

Richards suggests four types of misunderstanding in a poem among which the second one is 

Prosaic Reading 

The prosaic Reading of the second and third lines suggests the feeling of someone has used the sword and weapons against the persona and the very image of blood comes to our mind but the image to blood and wounds is soon replaced by the phrase knocked me off my feet a sense of overwhelming so hashing and emotionally gets cleared 

Further the metaphor for emotional bullying is swords and weapons which gets its established meaning  in song in the next line . The mean person's voice is compared with nails on a chak board which delivers the shivering discomfort of the unpleasant noise .

The word are so powerful that it seems to destroy the mental happiness of someone .

The lyrics than takes turn and asks why you are so mean ? This seems to be a highly personal addressal of lyricist when the words speak - 

Some day I will be living in a big old city 

And all you 're ever  gonna be is mean 

Someday I 'll be big enough so you can't hit me 

And all you 're ever gonna be is mean 

Why you gotta be so mean ? 

Naya Hukmanama Javed Akhtar

 Naya Hukamnama

 - New ordinance

Someone has decreed that all the winds must first 

Announce their direction before blowing

The winds must first also inform 

That when they blow what would be their speed.

For  storms are no longer permitted and all these ramparts that we have built of sand.

These paper palaces that have been made.

It is important to protect them 

The storm  is their old foe as everyone knows

Someone has decreed that the waves in the river must curb their rebellion 

They must stay  within their limits their dashing and  rising and dashing yet again.

Only to rise 

It's is wrong of them to be  so wilful it is nothing but a pertent of madness an augury of rebellion 

A rebellion will not be tolerated this madness will not be of one colour 

There will be some officers who will decide How the gardens of tommoro will take shape

Certainly the flowers will all be of one colour

But how deep the colour or how light will be decided by the officers.

How is one to tell them that in no garden anywhere are all the flowers of one colour they cannot be

For many colours live together hiding in one colour

Look at the fate of those who have 

Tried to make their garden all of one colour . See how a hundred colour have seeped into a troubled they are how worried they look 

How is one to tell them when have the winds and the waves ever heeded anyone's decree they winds do not stay 

In the clenched firsts of the rules In prisons  And in handcuffs.

When these waves are stopped The river no matter how placid Become restress And this restlessness is a step  away from a food 

How is one to tell them.....

Translated from the Urdu by Rakhshanda Jail