When we talk, we sometimes say things directly, like “I’m going to the store, I’ll be back in five minutes.” But other times, we use language that paints a vivid picture, such as “It’s raining cats and dogs” or “I was waiting for the other shoe to drop.” These are metaphors, and they help us describe one thing by talking about something else. While this might seem indirect, it’s actually a powerful way to communicate. Our understanding of the world starts with our senses—seeing, hearing, and tasting. The philosopher William James once said that the world of newborn babies is a “buzzing and blooming confusion.” Abstract ideas can feel distant compared to those first experiences. Metaphors engage our imagination and senses, creating vivid images in our minds.
Metaphors can be very precise. For example, if you imagine a raindrop the size of a cat or dog, you might picture a smaller dog, like a cocker spaniel or a dachshund, rather than a big one. Metaphors aren’t strictly true or false; they’re more artistic than scientific, but they can feel right or wrong. A poorly made metaphor can leave you confused. You might understand what it means to feel like a “square wheel,” but not what it’s like to be “tired as a whale.”
There’s a funny thing about metaphors: they often say things that aren’t literally true. For example, if you say, “there’s an elephant in the room,” there isn’t an actual elephant there. Metaphors skip over logical thinking and connect with us on a deeper level. We’re used to thinking in images, as we dream of impossible things every night. When we wake up, that creative thinking stays with us.
Some metaphors use the words “like” or “as,” and these are called similes. For example, “sweet as honey” or “strong as a tree.” Similes make us think, while metaphors make us feel. Take Shakespeare’s famous metaphor, “All the world’s a stage.” If you said, “The world is like a stage,” it wouldn’t feel as powerful or interesting.
Metaphors can also be found in verbs and adjectives. Emily Dickinson starts a poem with, “I saw no way—the heavens were stitched,” which makes us imagine the sky as a fabric sewn shut. Adjectives can also carry metaphorical weight; for example, “Still waters run deep” describes someone who is quiet yet profound.
One of the best places to find great metaphors is in poetry. Consider this haiku by the 18th-century Japanese poet Issa: “On a branch floating downriver, a cricket singing.” This metaphor invites us to see the world through its lens: an insect singing from a branch drifting in the river. It also reflects our human experience of change and the inevitability of life.
Sometimes, a poem expands on a metaphor, exploring an idea in different ways. For example, Langston Hughes’ poem “Mother to Son” begins with, “Well, son, I’ll tell you. Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.” Here, Hughes compares a difficult life to a rundown house. The imagery of tacks and splinters evokes real pain, representing not just physical discomfort but also emotional struggles.
Metaphors can also go beyond human experiences. The Chicago poet Carl Sandburg wrote, “The fog comes on little cat feet. It sits looking over harbor and city on silent haunches, and then moves on.” In this case, fog is likened to a cat. A good metaphor isn’t just a puzzle or a way to hide meanings; it’s a way to experience and understand something in a new light.
No one forgets Sandburg’s poem after hearing it. When you see fog, you might imagine a small grey cat nearby. Metaphors allow words to go beyond their literal meanings, serving as handles on the doors of our understanding and imagination. Each door leads to a new world, accessible only through that unique handle. What’s amazing is that by creating a handle, you can open up an entire new realm.
Think of an everyday object or experience and create a metaphor to describe it. For example, if you choose a pencil, you might say, “A pencil is a wand of creativity.” Share your metaphor with the class and explain why you chose it.
Find examples of metaphors in your favorite songs, books, or movies. Write down at least three metaphors you discover and explain what they mean. Share your findings with a partner and discuss how these metaphors enhance the message or story.
Write a short poem using at least three metaphors. Focus on creating vivid imagery and emotions. Once finished, read your poem aloud to the class and discuss how the metaphors contribute to the overall theme or feeling of your poem.
Choose a metaphor from a poem or story you like and create a piece of art that represents it. You can draw, paint, or create a digital image. Present your artwork to the class and explain how it captures the essence of the metaphor.
In groups, choose a metaphor and prepare arguments for why it is effective or not. Present your arguments in a class debate, considering the clarity, creativity, and emotional impact of the metaphor. Reflect on how different interpretations can lead to varied understandings.
**Transcript:**
Translator: Tom Carter
Reviewer: Bedirhan Cinar
When we talk, sometimes we say things directly. “I’m going to the store, I’ll be back in five minutes.” Other times, though, we express ourselves in a way that paints a vivid picture. “It’s raining heavily,” we might say, or “I was waiting for the other shoe to drop.” Metaphors allow us to discuss one thing by describing something else. While this might seem indirect, it’s actually quite effective. Our understanding of the world begins with our senses—seeing, hearing, and tasting. The philosopher William James described the world of newborn infants as a “buzzing and blooming confusion.” Abstract ideas can feel distant compared to those initial experiences. Metaphors engage our imagination and senses, creating vivid sensations in our minds.
Metaphors can be precise. For instance, when I think about a raindrop the size of a cat or dog, I realize that the dog must be a smaller breed, like a cocker spaniel or a dachshund, rather than a larger breed. A metaphor isn’t strictly true or false; they are more artistic than scientific, yet they can evoke feelings of rightness or wrongness. A poorly constructed metaphor can leave you puzzled. You might understand what it means to feel like a square wheel, but not what it’s like to be “tired as a whale.”
There’s a paradox in metaphors: they often express things that aren’t literally true. For example, if you say, “there’s an elephant in the room,” there isn’t an actual elephant present. Metaphors bypass logical thinking and resonate on a deeper level. We’re accustomed to thinking in images, as we dream of impossible scenarios each night. When we wake, that imaginative thinking remains with us.
Some metaphors use the words “like” or “as,” known as similes. For instance, “sweet as honey” or “strong as a tree.” Similes prompt thought, while metaphors evoke direct feelings. Take Shakespeare’s famous metaphor, “All the world’s a stage.” The phrase “The world is like a stage” feels less impactful and more mundane.
Metaphors can also be found in verbs and adjectives. Emily Dickinson begins a poem with, “I saw no way—the heavens were stitched,” instantly conveying the sensation of a sky that feels like a fabric sewn shut. Adjectives can also carry metaphorical weight; for example, “Still waters run deep” describes someone quiet yet profound.
One of the best places to find effective metaphors is in poetry. Consider this haiku by the 18th-century Japanese poet Issa: “On a branch floating downriver, a cricket singing.” This metaphor invites us to see the world through its lens: an insect singing from a branch drifting in the river. It also reflects our human experience of change and the inevitability of life.
Sometimes, a poem expands on a metaphor, exploring an idea in various ways. For instance, Langston Hughes’ poem “Mother to Son” begins with, “Well, son, I’ll tell you. Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.” Here, Hughes compares a difficult life to a dilapidated house. The imagery of tacks and splinters evokes real pain, representing not just physical discomfort but also emotional struggles.
Metaphors can also transcend human experiences. The Chicago poet Carl Sandburg wrote, “The fog comes on little cat feet. It sits looking over harbor and city on silent haunches, and then moves on.” In this case, fog is likened to a cat. A good metaphor isn’t merely a riddle or a means to convey hidden meanings; it’s a way to experience and understand something in a new light.
No one forgets Sandburg’s poem upon hearing it. When you see fog, you might envision a small grey cat nearby. Metaphors allow words to transcend their literal meanings, serving as handles on the doors of our understanding and imagination. Each door leads to a new world, accessible only through that unique handle. What’s remarkable is that by creating a handle, you can open up an entire new realm.
Metaphor – A figure of speech that describes an object or action in a way that isn’t literally true, but helps explain an idea or make a comparison. – The classroom was a zoo during the lunch break.
Simile – A figure of speech that compares two different things using the words “like” or “as.” – Her smile was as bright as the sun.
Imagery – Descriptive language that appeals to the senses and creates a picture in the reader’s mind. – The author’s use of imagery made the forest seem alive with the sounds of rustling leaves and chirping birds.
Poetry – A form of literature that uses aesthetic and rhythmic qualities of language to evoke meanings and emotions. – Emily Dickinson’s poetry often explores themes of nature and death.
Language – A system of communication used by a particular community or country. – Shakespeare’s use of language in his plays is both beautiful and complex.
Imagination – The ability to form new ideas, images, or concepts not present to the senses. – The author’s imagination brought the fantasy world to life in the novel.
Experience – The knowledge or skill acquired by a period of practical involvement in an activity. – Reading different genres of books can enhance your experience of literature.
Understanding – The ability to comprehend or grasp the meaning of something. – Her understanding of the poem’s themes was deepened after the class discussion.
Emotions – Strong feelings derived from one’s circumstances, mood, or relationships with others. – The novel’s ending stirred a mix of emotions in the readers.
Communication – The act of exchanging information or expressing ideas and feelings. – Effective communication is essential for discussing literature in a group setting.
