Analysis of Similes and Metaphors in Moth Smoke by Mohsin Hamid

The present study explores the semantic and syntactic features of figurative language, particularly metaphors and similes, in Mohsin Hamid’s novel Moth Smoke. The primary aim is to examine how these figures of speech contribute to meaning-making and thematic expression in the novel. Drawing on a representative corpus from the text, the study identifies, organizes, and analyzes various instances of metaphorical and simile expressions using a qualitative approach. The objectives of the research include tracing the metaphors and similes, understanding their contextual backgrounds, and evaluating their functional roles in narrative development. Findings reveal that metaphors and similes in Moth Smoke are intricately used not only to embellish the language but also to intensify semantic content, highlight social issues, and deepen character portrayals. Many figurative expressions are double-layered, combining multiple domains—such as vision, boundary, spirituality, and construct—to deliver complex and layered meanings. These figurative devices are found to reflect both concrete and abstract ideas, aligning with the theoretical views of Lakoff (1980), Black (1998), and Jackendoff (2009), who emphasize the cognitive and structural roles of metaphor in language. The analysis also illustrates how metaphorical extensions enhance the semantic richness of the narrative, showing that omitting such expressions would diminish the depth and clarity of the conveyed meanings. Furthermore, the study supports the truth-conditional and interactionist views of metaphor, establishing that contextual grounding is essential for the interpretation of figurative language. Conclusively, the study affirms that metaphors and similes serve as powerful linguistic tools in Moth Smoke, reflecting complex social, emotional, and psychological dimensions of the characters and the society they inhabit, and invites further exploration of figurative language in contemporary South Asian literature. Keywords: Mohsin Hamid, Moth Smoke, metaphors, similes, figurative language, semantic development, syntactic analysis, metaphorical extension, cognitive linguistics, stylistic analysis, narrative discourse