In today's world, metaphors can be found in a wide array of mediums, including books, articles, music, movies, and television. Interestingly enough, we also use metaphors in our daily conversations, often without even realizing it!
Simply put, a metaphor is a type of figurative language that compares two things in order to highlight their similarities. It serves as a powerful tool for effective comparisons and for better understanding abstract concepts. If this sounds complicated, don't worry - it will become clearer once we dive into some examples.
Here are a few examples of metaphors that you may already be familiar with:
Think about the feeling of riding a rollercoaster - the ups and downs, twists and turns. Similarly, life can be described as an unpredictable journey filled with both scary and exciting moments.
This line, from Pharrell's song "Happy", perfectly exemplifies a metaphor. The song is all about feeling carefree and joyous. By comparing himself to a hot air balloon soaring into space, we can visualize his light and cheerful mood.
Famous artist Vincent Van Gogh wrote this phrase in a letter to his brother. Just as a compass guides us and keeps us from getting lost, our conscience serves as a moral guide in life. Van Gogh draws a comparison between the two, prompting us to imagine our conscience as a compass within us.
While life is not literally a rollercoaster, Pharrell is not actually a hot air balloon, and there isn't a physical compass inside us, metaphors are symbolic. They are figures of speech that evoke mental images to convey thoughts, emotions, and abstract concepts.
Metaphors consist of two parts - the "tenor" and the "vehicle". Let's use the same examples to identify these parts:
The tenor is the subject being described. It can be a person, an object, or a concept. In the phrase "life is a rollercoaster", life is the tenor.
The vehicle is the main image of the metaphor. It is what the tenor is compared to. In "life is a rollercoaster", the rollercoaster is the vehicle.
Metaphors are a powerful tool for creating vivid imagery in writing. They capture the reader's imagination in a way that plain language often cannot. For instance, writer Khalil Gibran describes sadness as "a wall between two gardens".¹ This metaphor paints a poignant picture of how sadness separates us from happiness.
Metaphors are frequently confused with similes, another type of figurative language. While both make comparisons, a simile uses connecting words such as "like" or "as", whereas a metaphor does not. Consider these examples of similes:
Notice how similes use connecting words, while metaphors simply state that one thing is another thing. Let's see how a phrase can be modified to become either a metaphor or a simile:
We use metaphors in our everyday language without even realizing it. For example:
These common phrases use metaphors to express ideas and emotions in a more engaging and impactful way. So, pay attention to your words - you may be using metaphors without even realizing it!
Have you ever heard someone described as having a "heart of gold" or being "two peas in a pod"? What about being a "late bloomer" or "jumping on the bandwagon"? These are all common metaphors used in everyday language. While not meant to be taken literally, these expressions convey a deeper meaning and can be considered idioms.
In literature and everyday language, metaphors are used to compare one thing to another, highlighting their similarities and making complex ideas more relatable. However, some metaphors have become so overused that they lose their original imagery and are known as dead metaphors. For instance, phrases like "a body of work" and "the foot of the bed" have lost their literal meanings and are now just common expressions. Similarly, the phrase "time is running out" has lost its comparison to sand in an hourglass and is now a dead metaphor.
Another common issue with metaphors is the mixing of two or more together, which can result in a confusing or inconsistent message. This is known as a mixed metaphor, and it often happens unintentionally. For example, saying "those in glass houses should get out the kitchen" combines the idioms "those in glass houses shouldn't throw stones" and "if you can't stand the heat, get out the kitchen."
While mixed metaphors may create a comedic effect, writers also use extended metaphors to convey a deeper meaning over a longer period. These extended metaphors can span a verse, a poem, or even a whole book, adding layers of complexity to the writing.
Extended metaphors can be found in various forms of art, such as poetry and fiction. In Maya Angelou's poem "Caged Bird," the metaphor of birds represents the inequality in society. Similarly, George Orwell's "Animal Farm" is an extended metaphor for the Russian Revolution, using animals to symbolize historical figures and events.
However, extended metaphors may not always be obvious. Writers often use them to convey a deeper meaning, so understanding the tenor and vehicle being used is essential in identifying them. For instance, Maya Angelou's birds represent different classes of people, while the farm in George Orwell's book symbolizes early 20th century Russia.
If a poem, book, or movie leaves you puzzled, try identifying the extended metaphors and what they may represent to gain a better understanding. Researching the writer's background and inspiration can also provide valuable insights into their intended message.
Metaphors have the power to speak volumes and make complex ideas more accessible. So the next time someone tells you that you have a "heart of gold," take it as a compliment and understand the deeper meaning behind the expression.
