Prepared by: Patricia Johnson
Posted on: 25 Feb 2001
Reposted on: 17 Feb 2002
Reposted on: 28 Feb 2005
Reposted on: 2 Jul 2006
Metaphor expresses an abstract quality by
comparing one
thing or idea to
another thing or idea. The point of using metaphor is to increase
understanding in an original and effective way. It involves the
writer's
ability to creatively perceive her/his world. Metaphors have existed as
long
as advanced language, and perhaps before language in our minds.
Metaphor implies it is actually the thing
or idea, not
that it is merely
like the thing or idea. Two images are woven into a single cloth (oops,
was
that a metaphor?). Metaphor compares without using the words 'like' and
'as'
that we find in most similes. Do not confuse symbolism with metaphor.
An
object may symbolize themes in the story, as in John Steinbeck's The
Winter
of Our Discontent where a spiraled shell is used as a repeated symbol
of
relationships and human needs.
In metaphor the comparisons may be
shockingly different,
surprising, often
pleasant, and revealing. A good metaphor is original and fresh. It does
not
have to explain itself. A good metaphor is closer to understatement
than to
exaggeration. In order for the metaphor to work, no matter how
abstract, it
must be on target and truthful without being too farfetched. It must
also
avoid cliché and overused comparisons. Sometimes an author will
extend a
metaphoric idea with many variances within a single story or poem.
Here are some examples of metaphors:
- Carl Sandburg's poem about fog uses
the metaphor:
'fog creeps in on little
cat feet'. This conveys silence and stealth, the eerie way that fog
suddenly
surrounds everything without making a sound. Notice the metaphor does
not
use like or as.
- Elizabeth Bishop's poem Armadillo uses this metaphor
to describe a baby
rabbit: 'so soft!-a handful of intangible ash/ with fixed, ignited
eyes.'
- Sandra McPherson in Alleys uses this metaphor to
describe the first flower
she picked for her husband: 'It is/ Not even a withered flower
anymore,/ But
the dust of the first thing I did for him.'
Exercise: In 300 words or less create a
scene, or
rewrite an existing scene
to include at least one metaphor. Make sure the metaphor adds to the
story
without intruding. You may use more than one metaphor, but since this
can be
tricky, one will suffice.
Patricia Johnson's wrap-up
Posted on: February 24, 2002
Hello Everyone,
The discussion comments on metaphor this
week reveal
that metaphor involves
thought in writing as well as in critiquing. It was a difficult
exercise
that everyone handled very well. The critiques were excellent. The
metaphors
were also.
Metaphors were present in the stories in
different ways,
some were
extraneous to the central idea of the story, while others were
important
to the story's main theme. Both are acceptable. Some of the
metaphors bordered on symbolism. There were extended metaphors and
mixed
metaphors in some stories.
Many writers mentioned how hard it was to
find the
metaphors in the
submissions. I
found this to be true sometimes. Practice and trusting one's abilities
helps. Look for the central
theme and see what ideas and images tie into it. It may help to read
the
Jane Eyre review (see the end of this page for this URL and a list of
other
helpful sites).
In my own story I ended up with a very
mixed metaphor
for sound and
nostalgia which did not come across well. I failed to make a clear,
concise
metaphor, but I had fun trying. To paraphrase one critiquer, metaphors
need
to have the right characteristics to work.
I hope next time you use metaphor it will
be easier.
Practice does help!
Thanks to each of you for a great metaphor workshop.
Pat Johnson
Here is a repost of metaphor helps from
the discussion
this week.
Using metaphor in creative writing: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/print/general/gl_metaphor.html
Here's one of William Shakespeare's most
famous sonnets,
find the
metaphors! http://library.thinkquest.org/J0112392/metaphorclassics.html?tqskip1=1&tqtime=0222
Bartleby's in-depth study of metaphor http://www.bartleby.com/116/305.html
What about verbs as metaphors? This site
has some
interesting examples of
verbs. It has grouped metaphors into categories. http://knowgramming.com/metaphors/metaphor_chapters/examples.htm
.
Web site created by
Rhéal Nadeau and
the administrators of the Internet Writing Workshop.
Modified by Gayle Surrette.