I have selected examples (below) of figurative language in the lyrics of "Mockingbird" as performed by Eminem. The lyrics contain many more examples, but those below cover the principal forms of figurative language. [Note: The specific examples are identified by the language between the double asterisks.]
IDIOM:
"...Straighten up little soldier.
**Stiffen up that upper lip**..."
METAPHORE:
"...We're all we got in this world
**When it spins**
**When it swirls**
**When it whirls**
**When it twirls**..."
CLICHE:
"...But then of course **Everything always happen for a reason**..."
SIMILE:
"...I sat up the whole night crying
**Cuz daddy felt like a bum**,
See daddy had a job, but his job
Was to keep the food on the table for you and mom..."
METAPHORE:
"...Almost had a thousand dollars
'Till someone broke in and stole it
And I know it hurt so bad **it broke your mamma's heart**..."
METAPHORE:
"...Then you started seeing daddy on the TV
And mama didn't like it
And you and Lainnie were too young to understand it
**Papa was a rollin' stone**, mama developed a habit..."
IDIOM / SIMILE:
"...Now I'm sittin' in this empty house,
Just reminiscing. Looking at your baby pictures it just **trips me out**
To see how much you both have grown **it's almost like you're sisters now**..."
HYPERBOLE
"...And if you ask me to, daddy's gonna buy you a mocking bird
**I'ma give you the world**, I'ma buy a diamond ring for you,
I'ma sing for you, I'll do anything for you to see you smile
And if that mockingbird don't sing and that ring don't shine
**I'ma break that birdie's neck, I'll go back to the jeweler
Who sold it to ya
And make him eat every carat**..."
Please see:
http://www.elyrics.net/read/e/eminem-lyrics/mockingbird-lyrics.htmlhttp://languagearts.mrdonn.org/figurative.htmlhttp://www.missspott.com/figurativelanguage.html Good luck!