A METAPHOR ANALYSIS IN KUNTO AJI'S SONG ALBUM "MANTRA MANTRA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36709/bastra.v11i2.2616Keywords:
metaphor, figurative language, conceptual metaphor theory, song lyrics, mental healthAbstract
This study examines the use of metaphor in Kunto Aji’s album Mantra Mantra as a form of figurative language that conveys complex emotional and psychological meanings. The research is grounded in Conceptual Metaphor Theory proposed by George Lakoff and Mark Johnson, which views metaphor not only as a linguistic device but also as a cognitive tool for understanding abstract experiences. The objectives of this study are to identify the types of metaphors used in the song lyrics and to interpret their meanings within the context of the album. This research employs a descriptive qualitative method, with song lyrics from nine selected songs in the Mantra Mantra album as the primary data. The data were collected through close reading and analyzed using textual analysis. The metaphors were classified into three types: structural, orientational, and ontological metaphors, followed by interpretation based on their contextual meanings. The findings reveal that all three types of metaphors are present in the lyrics, with ontological metaphors appearing most frequently. These metaphors conceptualize abstract experiences such as anxiety, love, memory, identity, and self-healing through concrete domains like physical objects, movement, space, and human actions. Furthermore, the metaphors form consistent conceptual patterns, such as emotions as physical entities, life as a journey, and self-development as a process of struggle. The study also finds that metaphors in the album carry critical meanings, challenging modern societal values such as productivity pressure, social expectations, and the measurement of success through numerical achievement. In conclusion, metaphors in Mantra Mantra function not only as aesthetic elements but also as cognitive and critical tools that shape human understanding of emotional experiences. They enable listeners to interpret complex psychological conditions and reflect on themes of mental health, self-awareness, and personal growth.
References
Ab Rashid, R., Al-Ramahi, R., Harb alQaryouti, M., & Al-Smadi, O. A. (2025). Figurative Language as Identity Work: A Discourse Analysis of Syrian Refugee Narratives. SAGE Open, 15(4), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440251395388
Abrams, M. H., & Harpham, G. G. (1957). A Glossary of Literary Terms. In College Composition and Communication (Vol. 8, Issue 4). https://doi.org/10.2307/354930
Akmajian, A., Demers, R. A., Farmer, A. K., & Harnish, R. M. (2010). An Introduction to Language and Communication Sixth Edition (Sixth). MIT Press.
Azzahra, A., Faarisah, S., & Nurjanah, N. (2023). Analisis Metafora dalam Lirik Lagu Satu Tuju dan Kau Rumahku Karya Raissa Anggiani. J-LELC Journal of Language Education, Linguistics, and Culture, 3, 158–167. https://journal.uir.ac.id/index.php/j-lelc
Beknazarova, U. U., Almautova, A. B., Yelemessova, S. M., & Abadildayeva, S. K. (2021). The cognitive function of a conceptual metaphor and its methodological foundations. Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies, 17(3), 1312–1324. https://doi.org/10.52462/jlls.94
Bushra. (2024). Beyond Words : Exploring Metaphor as Non-Literal Meaning in English Communication. 573–584.
Citron, F., & Zervos, E. (2018). A neuroimaging investigation into figurative language and aesthetic perception. In Sensory Perceptions in Language, Embodiment and Epistemology (pp. 1–32).
Creswell, J. W. (2013). Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches.
Cuddon, J, A. (2013). Literary Terms and Literary Theory. Evans, V., & Green, M. (2006). Cognitive Linguistics.
Fahad Otaif, B. (2015). Metaphorical Framing of Media Discourse and the Representation of the Other: A Corpus-based Critical Discourse Analysis of Metaphors in the Press Discourse. King Khalid University Journal for Humanities, 24(3), 163–192.
Faizah, N. M. (2024). Metaphor in Literature: A Study on the Use of Figurative Language in Classical and Modern Works. Journal of Linguistica, 1(4), 47–55. https://doi.org/10.62872/1hrk2h04
Fatimah, A., Iman, M. N., & Kamsinah, K. (2025). Metaphorical Figurative Language in Literature: A Translation Perspective. DEIKTIS: Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa Dan Sastra, 5(3), 1876–1884. https://doi.org/10.53769/deiktis.v5i3.1866
Kifriyani, N. A. (2022). Analisis Metafora Pada Lirik Lagu Religi Dalam Album Ya Rahman Ciptaan Opick.
Knickerbocker, K. L., & Reninger, H. W. (1957). Interpreting Literature.
Komatsubara, T. (2024). Framing and metaphor in media discourse: Multi-layered metaphorical framings of the COVID-19 pandemic in newspaper articles. The Routledge Handbook of Language and Mind Engineering, 274–292. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003289746-23
Kövecses, Z. (2010). Metaphor: A Practical Introduction.
Kramer, L. (2017). Song Reconsidered: Words and Music, Music and Poetry.
https://research.library.fordham.edu/art_hist_facultypubs Lakoff, G., & Johnson, M. (1980). Metaphors We Live By (p. 129).
Leech, G. N. (2013). A Linguistic Guide to English Poetry: English Language Series. v–239.
Maulana, R. (2016). A Semantic Analysis of Metaphor Found in Selected Lyrics of "The Script", “Katy Perry”, And “Michael Bublé.” June.
Mayor, M. (2009). Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English.
Muhammad, H. A. (2025). Jenis, Fungsi, Dan Makna Metafora Dalam Bait-Bait Lirik Lagu .Feast Dalam Album Abdi Lara Insani. 4(1), 40–45. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15709074
Murshed, A. H. A. (2023). Rhetorical Influence of Figurative Language on the Meaning of Literary Texts. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/372855307
Nehe, A. M., Sinambela, E., & Pasaribu, T. (2022). An Analysis of Figurative Language in Maleficent Movie. Jurnal Scientia, 11(2), 65.
http://infor.seaninstitute.org/index.php
Nuraeni, C., & Peron, P. A. (2017). Figurative Language in Kelly Darrow’s Selected Poetry. Wanastra: Jurnal Bahasa Dan Sastra, 9(2), 122–129. https://doi.org/10.31294/w.v9i2.2480
Perrine, L. (1978). Sound and Sense: An Introduction to Poetry. The South Central Bulletin, 38(2), 44. https://doi.org/10.2307/3188611
René Wellek, & Austin, W. (1948). Theory of Literature.
Sakui, K., & Gaies, S. J. (1999). Investigating Japanese learners’ beliefs about language learning. System, 27(4), 473–492. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0346-251X(99)00046-9
Schreibman, S., Siemens, R., & Unsworth, J. (2008). A Companion to Digital Humanities.
Septiani, D., Najmi, K., Rahmadhita, P. M., Nursa’adah, S., & Ma’rifah, S. N. (2022). Analisis Metafora Pada Lirik Lagu “Hati -Hati Di Jalan” Karya Tulus. Cinematology: Journal Anthology of Film and Television Studies, 2(2), 22–31.
Susanti, C. B. (2022). Metafora dalam Lirik Lagu Album Sinestesia Karya Efek Rumah Kaca. Nuansa Indonesia, 24(November), 192–203. https://digilib.uns.ac.id/dokumen/detail/94498/%0Ahttps://digilib.uns.ac.id/doku men/download/94498/NTUzNDYz/Metafora-dalam-Lirik-Lagu-Album-Sinestesia-Karya-Efek-Rumah-Kaca-Halaman-Judul.pdf
Sutrisno, B., & Putri, A. (2017). A Figurative Language Analysis of Song Lyric “Mirrors” by Justin Timberlake. Journal Of English Language and Literature (JELL), 2(2), 117–138.
Thomas, D. P., Walton, J., Tann, K., Shoecraft, K., Lowien, N., & Scott, A. (2025). Figurative language and narrative writing: insights from high-achieving primary school students. Australian Educational Researcher, 52(6), 4097–4126. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13384-025-00890-w
Verawati, A. A., Jayanti, R., Hidayat, T., & Azis, M. A. (2025). Metafora Pada Lirik Lagu Dalam Album Bintang Lima Karya Dewa 19: Suatu Kajian Semantik. 9(2012), 3367–3380.
Wardani, D. K., Wazaumi, D. D., & Winahyu, R. R. K. K. (2024). Detecting Emotions of Indonesian Songs Based on Plutchik’s Theory using Data Mining. SINTECH
Science and Information Technology) Journal, 7(1), 41–48. https://doi.org/10.31598/sintechjournal.v7i1.1509
Wiradharma, G., & WS, A. T. (2019). Metafora Dalam Lirik Lagu Dangdut: Kajian Semantik Kognitif. Sarasvati, 1(2), 29. https://doi.org/10.30742/sv.v1i2.737
Ye, Z. (2024). Language Barriers in Intercultural Communication and Their Translation Strategies. Modern Management Science & Engineering, 6(1), p178. https://doi.org/10.22158/mmse.v6n1p.
