In Katy Perry’s song “Roar”, Perry bounces back from a recent divorce. During the marriage, Perry is afraid to speak her mind. She feels that Russell Brand is holding her down. Once the marriage is over, she begins to regain her confidence and sees herself as a strong person. In the beginning of the song, Perry expresses her feelings of insecurity. Throughout the song, she conveys her transformation into a powerful woman. Perry uses similes and metaphors to display her newly gained strength in “Roar”. Perry uses similes to elaborate on her improved stability. In the song, Perry states “Now I’m floating like a butterfly” (line 23). Butterflies are known for being independent. By comparing herself to a butterfly, Perry is showing her newfound …show more content…
One example is “I got the eye of the tiger...” (line 14). The eye of the tiger is a popular metaphor used to show power and intensity. By saying she has “the eye of the tiger”, Perry is explaining how powerful she has become. Perry chooses to compare herself to a tiger to reiterate her feelings of strength after overcoming recent feelings of distress. An additional instance of a metaphor is “Dancing through the fire” (line 15). In this line, the “fire” is a comparison to the negative encounters in her life. However, she is “dancing” through these encounters, showing she is no longer phased and is content with her life. Perry’s usage of metaphors causes the audience to better understand her transformation into having a better life.
Similes and metaphors provide a better sense of Perry’s freshly accomplished strength in “Roar”. The similes span from comparing Perry to a butterfly and to thunder. Although these are total opposites, both are effective in showing the transformation in her self-confidence. One metaphor compares Perry to a tiger, while another metaphor compares her struggles to fire. These connections are essential to the audience’s better understanding of her feelings. Perry’s elaborate use of figurative language provides a deeper meaning to her