A Brief Tip for Writing About the Use of Metaphor

Metaphors express how we think. When you analyze the use of metaphor you will want to note the details in the metaphor and discuss what each detail represents.

For example, a metaphor about a bicycle going through an busy intersection and being obstructed by oncoming traffic while the traffic light turns from green to red has many metaphors embedded within it, each of which should be discussed. There is also the metaphor as a whole – why this particular metaphor as opposed to another? What does this metaphor suggest? What kind of metaphor might an alternative perspective generate?

When we see or hear a metaphor that contains multiple images (such as a narrative metaphor – a story) we have to assume that each image in the metaphor is connected to the main idea, and helps to illustrate it in some way. This is why we have to dissect the metaphor and examine what each part says about the person’s perspective on the main idea.

You will want to ask yourself: What works and does not work about each of these metaphors? What underlying assumptions does each metaphor -- or each part of the metaphor -- contain? What does each metaphor -- and each part of the metaphor -- help you to see? What might they prevent you from seeing?

Metaphors are tools for thinking. They help us to think. We all think in metaphors most of the time even though we may not be aware of it. This is why it is useful to take the time to slow down and examine the metaphors that we and others use. When you are thinking about metaphor you are thinking about how people think.