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Metaphor is the big idea behind the comparison between two different objects. However, in English, we use two different words to describe different instances of the rhetorical device known as a metaphor. A metaphor proper compares two things by simply stating that this thing is that thing. A = B. Metaphor Examples. Examples of basic metaphors ...
- Elena Ferrante, “My Brilliant Friend” “The waves rolled in like blue metal tubes carrying an egg white of foam on their peaks, then broke in a thousand glittering splinters and came up to the street with an oh of wonder and fear from those watching.”
- Jeffrey Eugenides, “The Virgin Suicides” “We didn’t remember putting [the photographs] up, but there they were, dim from time and weather so that all we could make out were the phosphorescent outlines of the girls’ bodies, each a different glowing letter of an unknown alphabet.”
- John LeCarre, “The Spy Who Came In From the Cold” Here one of the German characters during the Cold War is talking about being tortured: “The pain just increases like a violinist going up the E string.
- Patricia Hampl, “Memory and Imagination” In this piano lesson, we get not one but two wonderful metaphors, both about middle C: “She emphasized the importance of middle C, its central position, a sort of North Star of sound.
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Metaphors in literature are drops of water: as essential as they are ubiquitous. Writers use literary metaphors to evoke an emotional response or paint a vivid picture. Other times, a metaphor might explain a phenomenon. Given the amount of nuance that goes into it, a metaphor example in a text can sometimes deserve as much interpretation as the te...
Particularly prominent in the realm of poetry is the extended metaphor: a single metaphor that extends throughout all or part of a piece of work. Also known as a conceit, it is used by poets to develop an ideaor concept in great detail over the length of a poem. (And we have some metaphor examples for you below.) If you’d like to get a sense of the...
Here’s some food for thought (35): you’ve probably already used a metaphor (or more) in your daily speech today without even realizing it. Metaphorical expressions pepper the English language by helping us illustrate and pinpoint exactly what we want to say. As a result, metaphors are everywhere in our common vocabulary: you may even be drowning in...
Metaphors are a must-have tool in every lyricist’s toolkit. From Elvis to Beyonce, songwriters use them to instinctively connect listeners to imagery and paint a visual for them. Most of the time, they find new ways to describe people, love — and, of course, break-ups. So if you’re thinking, “This is so sad Alexa play Titanium,” right now, you’re i...
Films can add a different angle to the concept of a metaphor: because it’s a visual medium, certain objects on-screen will actually represent whatever the filmmaker intends it to represent. The same principle applies, of course — there’s still a direct comparison being made. It’s just that we can see the metaphor examples with our own eyes now. Fil...
Did you know that Plato was using metaphors to express his thoughts all the way back in 427 BC? Since then, some of our greatest minds have continued to turn to metaphors when illuminating ideas in front of the general public — a practice that’s become particularly prominent in political speeches and pithy witticisms. Here’s a sample of some of the...
- As You Like It by William Shakespeare. As You Like It, one of the famous plays by William Shakespeare, uses the metaphor of the world being a stage and all of the people on it are the actors.
- The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. The Fault in Our Stars tells the story of a young girl struggling with a terminal cancer diagnosis who meets her true love.
- Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. Romeo and Juliet is another classic Shakespeare play that uses many different types of literary devices. The story of the star-crossed lovers has many love-filled verses woven throughout it.
- The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is an example of classical literature. The author’s use of metaphors makes the writing interesting, painting images into the reader’s mind to make it more meaningful.
- The Pen is Mightier Than the Sword. Meaning: This metaphor suggests that the power of words and ideas is stronger and more influential than physical force or violence.
- A Blank Canvas. Meaning: This metaphor likens a blank piece of paper or a blank screen to a blank canvas, suggesting that the writer has the opportunity to create something new and original.
- A Tapestry of Words. Meaning: This metaphor compares writing to the creation of a tapestry, with words and ideas being woven together to create a cohesive and intricate whole.
- A Symphony of Language. Meaning: This metaphor compares writing to the creation of music, with words and ideas coming together to form a harmonious and pleasing composition.
Oct 26, 2020 · Metaphors are everywhere! To help you understand this rhetorical device, here’s a big list of 125+ metaphor examples (plus tips for writers). But first, let’s talk about the engine of storytelling that make metaphors work. All About Metaphors
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Jan 14, 2022 · How to Use Metaphors in Your Writing. Don’t force metaphors or try too hard to sound “poetic.” Sometimes, the desire to be creative can lead you to produce overdone, overwrought, or overly complex metaphors. Remember, you want the metaphor to enhance the readers’ experience, not leave them frustrated and confused. Think with your senses.
