Today I had a panic attack because I got confused about a metaphor, an analogy and a simile !
It has been a while since I have studied these terms, so I'm a bit rusty. They all seem quite similar, but I keep getting them mixed up, so I will have to go all through them again just to be sure.
Comments
METAPHOR, SIMILE AND ANALOGY.
Hi Gillian,
An analogy is something which shows some similarity/similarities between things, e.g. ‘Learning French can be analogous to learning any subject which requires dedication and effort’. The analogy need only show one or some of the similarities which serve the purpose of referring to the comparison as an analogy.
A metaphor is a figure of speech which does not convey literally that which could otherwise be said in a literal sense, e.g. ‘I was over the moon with my exam results’. Meaning, as you know, ‘I was overjoyed with my exam results’.
A simile is a figure of speech comparing objects or people, e.g. ‘He is as cunning as a fox’. ‘He is like a dog with a bone when presented with a problem which grabs his attention’. ‘As and ‘like’ are common connectors in simile.
Your observation that these terms can sometimes seem to intertwine is, in my opinion correct. For instance, in my example of simile ‘to grab one’s attention’ is, in my opinion, a metaphor and is therefore a metaphor within a simile.
I kept copious notes for E303 and there may be some similarities between the two modules.
Good luck with your studies,
Joseph.
New comment
Hi Joseph,
Thank you for this very useful information. It's a difficult concept but hopefully I think I will get it eventually!
Best wishes Gill