1 Topic by j p lundstrom (edited by j p lundstrom 2018-05-29 17:05:05)

Topic: Metaphorically Speaking

I was looking up metaphors (don’t ask me why—it was early and I hadn’t yet taken my meds) and came across this list of ‘Kid-Friendly Metaphors’:
•    The snow is a white blanket.
•    The hospital was a refrigerator.
•    The classroom was a zoo.
•    America is a melting pot.
•    Her lovely voice was music to his ears.
•    Life is a rollercoaster.
•    The alligator's teeth are white daggers.
•    Their home was a prison.
https://www.enchantingmarketing.com/how … metaphors/

It just seemed wrong. I thought I remembered my English teacher saying NOT to use the verb ‘be’ in a metaphor. For example: ‘The White House released a statement today…’ or ‘I can’t go out drinking. The old ball and chain wants me to finish painting the living room.’

[There was a joke in my English textbook--yes, a joke—about the mixing of metaphors: ‘He put the ship of state on its feet.']

Then I found this as an example on several sites: “All the world's a stage…”
William Shakespeare
SHAKESPEARE used the verb ‘be (well, in the is form)!’ Isn’t he the gold standard of English writing? Or maybe not—it’s been a long time since he put pen to paper, and you know how someone’s always saying that modern writers don’t need to conform to old rules.

Then I found this: ‘Understanding What a Metaphor Isn’t’
I know about similes. But I really don’t remember learning about a metonymy and a synecdoche. (Although I do like the words themselves—they’re very impressive.)
https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Metaphor

Okay, I know the earth’s still in one piece, art and music will survive, but I never did find an answer. Do you or don’t you use the verb ‘be’ in a metaphor?

Quote Post 1

Re: Metaphorically Speaking

I think you may be confusing this with like/as.   Metaphors should not use like/as in the description.   

I am happy as a clam.  (not a metaphor)
She is just like a donkey. (not a metaphor)

She is a donkey. (metaphor)

I do not believe there is restriction on the 'to be' verb.

Quote Post 2

Re: Metaphorically Speaking

Hi J P,

I've never thought about it, actually. We were never told not to use any variation the "to be" infinitive in a metaphor. This is the first time I've heard that.  Nor was this addressed in either of my Creative Writing courses in college. But perhaps, at 71, my memory serves me poorly. Still, I'm pretty sure I've never heard this alleged restriction before.

Quote Post 3

Re: Metaphorically Speaking

A metaphor is like your soul.  It must be watered daily.

Quote Post 4

Re: Metaphorically Speaking

Rachel (Rhiannon) Parsons wrote:

A metaphor is like your soul.  It must be watered daily.


That's a simile, not a metaphor. A metaphor would be "your soul must be watered daily, for it to flourish." attributing the characteristics of a garden or plant to your soul.

My third graders knew 'like and 'as' meant simile, and worked like a math equation.  You just said 'metaphor = soul', neither of which elements has the characteristic of requiring water.

And 'She is a donkey' would be better said "she brayed at her own jokes, but sat stubbornly silent when anyone else said something humorous,' attributing the characteristics of a donkey to an individual without blatantly announcing what you're doing. It's more work,but more subtle.

Quote Post 5

Re: Metaphorically Speaking

j p lundstrom wrote:

Okay, I know the earth’s still in one piece, art and music will survive, but I never did find an answer. Do you or don’t you use the verb ‘be’ in a metaphor?

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Quote Post 6

Re: Metaphorically Speaking

j p lundstrom wrote:

That's a simile, not a metaphor.

A simile is a type of metaphor.
All similes are metaphors, but all metaphors are not similes.

Quote Post 7

8 Reply by j p lundstrom (edited by j p lundstrom 2018-05-29 21:58:11)

Re: Metaphorically Speaking

Dallas Wright wrote:
j p lundstrom wrote:

That's a simile, not a metaphor.

A simile is a type of metaphor.
All similes are metaphors, but all metaphors are not similes.

Can you cite a source? I need all the information I can get.

And I FOUND MY ANSWER! But I won't give it away--this discussion is too good to terminate.

Quote Post 8

Re: Metaphorically Speaking

j p lundstrom wrote:
Dallas Wright wrote:
j p lundstrom wrote:

That's a simile, not a metaphor.

A simile is a type of metaphor.
All similes are metaphors, but all metaphors are not similes.

Can you cite a source? I need all the information I can get.

And I FOUND MY ANSWER! But I won't give it away--this discussion is too good to terminate.

It’s inherent in the definition of “metaphor” which can be found in any dictionary.

A metaphor is a figure of speech that directly refers to one thing by mentioning another for rhetorical effect.  It may provide clarity or identify hidden similarities between two ideas. “Antithesis, hyperbole, metonymy and simile are all types of metaphor.” [1]
[1] The Oxford Companion to the English Language (1992) pp.653

Quote Post 9

Re: Metaphorically Speaking

Here's a start, but a google search will give you about 10,800,000 more sources. Take care. Vern

Metaphor vs simile
Metaphor vs Simile. Metaphor and simile are often confused due to their similarities. But in fact, the two imply different aspects of language. Just to start with, we can say that a simile is a metaphor, but all metaphors are not similes.
Difference Between Metaphor and Simile
www.differencebetween.net/language/difference-between-metaphor-and-simile/

Is this answer helpful?
What is the Difference Between Metaphor and Simile?
https://www.dailywritingtips.com/what-i … between...

The terms metaphor and simile are slung around as if they meant exactly the same thing. A simile is a metaphor, but not all metaphors are similes.
Simile and Metaphor—What’s the Difference? | Grammarly
https://www.grammarly.com/blog/whats-th … tween-a...

Simile vs. Metaphor Quiz. Both similes and metaphors add color and depth to language. Share your favorite similes and metaphors in the comments! Grammarly is a must-have
I

Quote Post 10

Re: Metaphorically Speaking

vern wrote:

Here's a start, but a google search will give you about 10,800,000 more sources. Take care. Vern

Metaphor vs simile
Metaphor vs Simile. Metaphor and simile are often confused due to their similarities. But in fact, the two imply different aspects of language. Just to start with, we can say that a simile is a metaphor, but all metaphors are not similes.
Difference Between Metaphor and Simile
www.differencebetween.net/language/difference-between-metaphor-and-simile/

Is this answer helpful?
What is the Difference Between Metaphor and Simile?
https://www.dailywritingtips.com/what-i … between...

The terms metaphor and simile are slung around as if they meant exactly the same thing. A simile is a metaphor, but not all metaphors are similes.
Simile and Metaphor—What’s the Difference? | Grammarly
https://www.grammarly.com/blog/whats-th … tween-a...

Simile vs. Metaphor Quiz. Both similes and metaphors add color and depth to language. Share your favorite similes and metaphors in the comments! Grammarly is a must-have
I

https://img1.etsystatic.com/072/1/98380 … 3_gzd2.jpg
LOL
Just messin’ with you, Vern.  ;-)

Quote Post 11

Re: Metaphorically Speaking

Dallas Wright wrote:
vern wrote:

Here's a start, but a google search will give you about 10,800,000 more sources. Take care. Vern

Metaphor vs simile
Metaphor vs Simile. Metaphor and simile are often confused due to their similarities. But in fact, the two imply different aspects of language. Just to start with, we can say that a simile is a metaphor, but all metaphors are not similes.
Difference Between Metaphor and Simile
www.differencebetween.net/language/difference-between-metaphor-and-simile/

Is this answer helpful?
What is the Difference Between Metaphor and Simile?
https://www.dailywritingtips.com/what-i … between...

The terms metaphor and simile are slung around as if they meant exactly the same thing. A simile is a metaphor, but not all metaphors are similes.
Simile and Metaphor—What’s the Difference? | Grammarly
https://www.grammarly.com/blog/whats-th … tween-a...

Simile vs. Metaphor Quiz. Both similes and metaphors add color and depth to language. Share your favorite similes and metaphors in the comments! Grammarly is a must-have
I

https://img1.etsystatic.com/072/1/98380 … 3_gzd2.jpg
LOL
Just messin’ with you, Vern.  ;-)

It is funny, even without context for the uninformed. Take care. Vern

Quote Post 12

Re: Metaphorically Speaking

And 'She is a donkey' would be better said "she brayed at her own jokes, but sat stubbornly silent when anyone else said something humorous,' attributing the characteristics of a donkey to an individual without blatantly announcing what you're doing. It's more work, but more subtle.

I was on my break and writing super quickly.  I am sure there are much better metaphors in the world than the one I listed but it is, technically, a metaphor.

Quote Post 13

Re: Metaphorically Speaking

TirzahLaughs wrote:

And 'She is a donkey' would be better said "she brayed at her own jokes, but sat stubbornly silent when anyone else said something humorous,' attributing the characteristics of a donkey to an individual without blatantly announcing what you're doing. It's more work, but more subtle.

I was on my break and writing super quickly.  I am sure there are much better metaphors in the world than the one I listed but it is, technically, a metaphor.

Personally, "She is a donkey" without any context says a lot more and more subtly than spelling out what has not been mentioned with four times as many words which in no way covers all the characteristics which might be attributed to the simple four word phrase. Take care. Vern

Quote Post 14