Literary Strategies and Concepts of Love that Appear in the Theme Song Y Series

Abstract

            This study aims to examine 1) the literary strategies appearing in the Y series theme songs, and 2) the concepts of love appearing in the Y series theme songs. 200 Y series theme songs on online media were analyzed, and the use of literary strategies is found. There are        4 rhetorical figures, namely 1) rhetorical questions, 2) hyperbole, 3) metonymy, and 4) oxymoron. Rhetorical questions are found the most as questions are asked for the purpose of answering oneself about the form of love they have experienced, and for confirmation from their lover despite knowing that they will not receive any response. There are 5 comparative figures, namely 1) simile, 2) metaphor, 3) personification, 4) reference, and 5)symbol. Among them, simile is found the most as this type of comparison gives the most vivid picture. The findings also reveal that there are 4 concepts of love appearing in the Y series theme songs, namely 1) requited love, 2) requited yet suffering love, 3) unrequited love, and 4) love that is halfway between requited and unrequited. Requited love is mostly found because every person has a desire for it, even among LGBTQ+ people. In addition, this study finds that both the concepts and literary strategies are consistent. In other words, the composers use literary strategies as a medium to help convey the concepts of love to listeners through songs.