METAPHORE
Metaphor is a
figure
of speech which denoting one kind of object or idea, which an implied
comparison is made between two
dissimilar words or phrases are brought together to suggest a similarity. Is
the explanation still confusing?
For example
All the world’s a stage
(Shakespeare)
It is Shakespeare and he is
comparing the world to a stage. We generally do not see the world as a stage,
we can see it . . . as the world, the earth, the country but not a stage. That
is why it is a metaphor. Because it has brought together two entirely unrelated
things and made sense with it.
Types of Metaphor
1. Extended
or telescoping metaphor or conceit
All the
world’s a stage and men and women merely players.
This
extension “Men and women are merely players” has made this an extended
metaphor. The author stretched “the world” and “a stage” by introducing parts
of “the world” (men and women) and “a stage” (players). Of course, it has to
make sense. You can’t extend it by comparing men and women to an ipod.
2.
Metonym
The pen is mightier than the sword.
This saying in itself has become clichéd, but originally the thought was otherwise. Here, the pen stands for the freedom of expression and the sword for the power of authority. Now, if you said, freedom is greater than power, nobody would have said Wow. That’s why Pen and Sword instead of freedom and power.
This saying in itself has become clichéd, but originally the thought was otherwise. Here, the pen stands for the freedom of expression and the sword for the power of authority. Now, if you said, freedom is greater than power, nobody would have said Wow. That’s why Pen and Sword instead of freedom and power.
3.
Mixed metaphor
The waves of emotion have
punctured my heart.
Can waves puncture? They do
in a nonsensical world, but most of us are still sane, but widely tolerable of
nonsense and that is why such nonsense is given a modest name of mixed
metaphor.
OK, for info’s sake – there
are two kinds of mixed metaphors: permissible mixed metaphors and impermissible
mixed metaphors. Never use impermissible ones, so that leaves me to explain
only permissible ones.
4.
Absolute metaphor
She broke upon a sad piece.
In today’s world of
indistinctness, it is reigning absolute. Confuse them with your confusion.
There are two types of
Absolute metaphor: Paralogical and antimetaphor.
5.
Implied metaphor
Shut your trap.
He ruffled his feathers.
No bird and no mouth,
just feathers and trap. Yeah, that’s implied.
6.
Dead metaphor
Face of the mountains
Crown of glory
Dead metaphors are mostly
used as phrases and not as metaphors. Their association has died. Now, they are
just phrases, although their names still remain. Take off your hats. It’s
mourning time!
7. Dormant
metaphor
He was blazing. (for what, if
you please)
She flew towards her uncle.
(why?)
They blew her off. (WHY?)
OK, it makes sense, but in
itself, they don’t create the whole picture. Why chew words. Dormant, yes, they
are sleeping. Hibernating. But still alive.
8.
Synecdoche metaphor
The name looks scary, but
it’s rather simple. In synecdoche metaphor, a part of the association is used
instead of the object. For example feathers instead of bird or claws instead of
crab. These associations are symbolic of the whole.
Her feet flapped like terrified wings.
9.
Root metaphor
Root metaphors are named thus
because from them numerous other metaphors can take birth. Also, they are
generalizations like -
Time is money.
Make hay while the sun
shines.
10.
Active metaphor
Active metaphors are new born
so you will have to introduce them to the world. They are not familiar to the
reader. That’s why it is better if they are explained clearly.
Her blinking love.
They mashed each other’s
lives.
11.
Submerged metaphor
In a submerged metaphor, the
first part of the metaphor or the vehicle is implied. For example: his winged dreams or her legged ambition.
12.
Dying metaphor
It should have been named
‘rising from the dead metaphor’ or ‘the mummy metaphor’ because when you take
out dead metaphors from the grave and use them in your writing, then they can’t
be called dying. I don’t know what George Orwell was thinking when he coined
the name. J Dying metaphors are clichéd metaphors like
Needle in a haystack
Achilles heel
A different ball game
13.
Conceptual metaphor
This is hard, so read slowly.
A conceptual metaphor has many metaphoric meanings in them. Their underlying
meaning creates a novel thought or a universal concept. Life as journey is an
old conceptual metaphor. This metaphor has universal appeal. It is not talking
about a particular situation or a person. It stands true to every man.
Also, if you see life as a
journey, then you can also use many other metaphors like
My life has just halted
I have reached crossroads.
I came into this world with
no luggage.
So, Life is a journey is a conceptual metaphor.
14.
Pataphor
Pataphors are metaphors that
are stretched to such an extreme that they do not make sense. They are usually
used to attract attention and introduce newness.
He put brakes on his fear,
accelerated his anger and rammed into the house.
15.
Simple or Tight metaphor
In simple metaphor, you don’t
need to do much. Just cool it. There is nothing to cool except just it. On a
serious note, in a simple metaphor, the relationship between the vehicle (cool)
and the tenor (it) is very intimate (tight).
Duck (bow) down.
He is mad (crazy).
You’re a dinosaur (huge).
Usually, simple metaphors are
very short. Just two or three words at most.
16.
Implicit metaphor
Here, either the vehicle or
the tenor is not specified clearly, but implied.
Shut your trap.
Watch your tongue.
Here, ‘trap’ and ‘tongue’ are
used instead of mouth and words.
17.
Compound or Loose metaphor
A compound metaphor is made
of more than one similarity. In it, the writer extends a metaphor by using more
than one association.
He ran towards the murderer,
a wild beast with a beating heart.
The air smelt of fear, the fear of abandonment.
18.
Complex metaphor
In a complex metaphor, you
have a simple metaphor and his accomplice (not in crime). Instead of an
explanation, an example would do better.
Let me throw some light on his character.
Here, “throw” is used for
“light” that in itself is non-existent.
SOURCES:
1. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metaphor?show=0&t=1319711013
