An Analysis of Figurative Language in A Dog’s Way Home Movie

Abstract

This study investigates the types of figurative language found in the movie A Dog’s Way Home. Figurative language plays a crucial role in enhancing emotional depth and narrative expression in films, yet academic research focusing specifically on its types in cinematic texts remains limited. The objective of this research is to identify, categorize, and describe the kinds of figurative language used throughout the film using M.H. Abrams’s classification. By doing so, the study aims to raise awareness of how non-literal expressions function as stylistic devices that enrich storytelling in visual media. A qualitative descriptive method was employed to analyze selected dialogues and scenes containing figurative expressions. The findings reveal a total of 64 figurative expressions. Among them, personification (21.9%) and irony (20.3%) were the most dominant, followed by simile, metaphor, hyperbole, metonymy, paradox, and synecdoche. The frequent presence of these expressions contributes to the film’s narrative tone and supports its central themes. This study provides insight into the use of figurative language in popular films and serves as a useful reference for students and educators in literature, film studies, and English language learning contexts.