FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE IN WARSAN SHIRE POEMS ON SOCIAL ISSUES

This research aims to find figurative language in Warsan Shire's poetry
which has a social issue poetry theme. The method used is a qualitative description,
data collection uses recording techniques, checklists, and data sheets to collect
data. The data were analyzed using the classification of figurative language theory
by Perrine (1992). Research reveals that in Warsan Shire's poetry with the theme
of social issues, there is a lot of figurative language. and the type of figurative
language that is most often found is metaphor. In poetry, the function of figurative
language is also found. The function that always appears in Warsan Shire's poetry
is emotional intensity. This function often appears because many types of
figurative language are displayed in the sentences in Warsan Shire's poetry and the
themes presented are very deep. Warsan Shire's poems are the outcome of her
experiences and concerns as a victim of these issues in society, which impact her
writing and performance style. Warsan Shire's poetry mostly addresses migration,
identity, trauma, female identity, and violence.
Keywords: Figurative language, Poems, Poets, Social Issues.