Metaphors In Literature
A metaphor is a literary devise used to describe a person or object in literature. It compares one thing to another. Unlike a simile, metaphors don't use like or as. They can be used in almost anything, from a poem to a novel. Metaphors are used in everyday lives as well.
Eli Wiesel
“We were already accustomed to rumors of this kind [that told the front was drawing nearer to the camp]. It was not the first time a false prophet had foretold to us peace-on-earth…And we often believed them. It was an injection of morphine.” This is an example of a metaphor used in the book Night written by Eli Wiesel. The book captures his life as a Jewish prisoner in a concentration camp with his father.
Anne Frank
Just as Elie, Anne Frank was involved in the holocaust as well. We all know her as the young girl who kept a diary telling all her secrets and life. "whose wings have been ripped off and who keeps hurling itself against the bars of its dark cage." Here is yet another example of a metaphor.
Dr. Suess
"You're a monster, Mr. Grinch." This is a metaphor from the poem, "You're mean one, Mr.Grinch". The story How the Grinch Stole Christmas, written by Dr. Suess, is a story of how a green grouchy person tries to ruin the Christmas season, but in the end grows to love it.
Dr. Suess, Anne Frank, and Eli Weisel
Dr. Suess, Anne Frank, and Eli Wiesel all authors, used metaphors that connected to their backgrounds. Dr. Suess used metaphors frequently when writing his story's When Dr. Suess was little his mother would often tell him rhymes to put him to sleep. All of his books rhyme. He wrote to entertain the reader. He used informal diction to appeal to young readers. Some examples of his books are, Green Eggs and Ham, Cat in the Hat, The Lorax, Horton Hears a Who and many more story's. When Dr. Suess was writing Horton Hears a Who, he had Horton walking along a stream, when really Dr. Suess was mirroring walking along watercourses in Springfield's Forrest Park. The truck driven by Sylvester McMonkey McBean in the book The Sneetches, reminds him of the tractor that would ride down the streets of Springfield. One can infer that Dr. Suess loved his home town considering that some of his books were modeled after Springfield. In the phrase, "You're a monster, Mr. Grinch", Dr. Suess is using a metaphor. He is flat out stating that the grinch is a monster. He does not say Mr. Grinch, you are like a monster, or Mr. Grinch you are as mean as a monster. He uses this metaphor to describe the Grinch, and give the reader more direct characterization and an insight on the Grinch's personality.
Anne Frank and Eli Wiesel both shared a similar writing style. Their purpose of writing was to inform. To inform people about the horror of the Holocaust. Anne and Eli used formal diction when writing. They both physically saw the events and heard them; they experienced them. Additionally, they were both involved in the Holocaust. They witnessed the deaths of people and abuse of them. There fore that greatly influenced their styles; Dark, depressing, suspenseful, and at moments happy.
Anne Frank used the metaphor "whose wings have been ripped off and who keeps hurling itself against the bars of its dark cage." This described how Anne feels locked up in an attic. Her dignity and hope has been stripped from her. She uses this to describe what life is like then, and it also lets the reader experience the feelings of Anne Frank.
Eli Wiesel used metaphors in his books as well. “Suddenly his eyes would become blank, nothing but two open wounds, two pits of terror.” Here Eli is describing Akiba Drumer eyes and they are being compared to open wounds or pits. This shows how Akiba feels, and gives a reader more information about the characters feelings.
Metaphor: a literary technique or devise used to compare two or more things, with out using the words "like" or "as"
- A metaphor is used to describe characters and can be used in almost any literary work.
Sources:
"The Diary of a Young Girl: Metaphor Analysis." Novel Guide. N.p., 1999. Web. 24 Oct. 2013.
"Time for "The Grinch's" Similes and Metaphors - ProTeacher Community." Time for "The Grinch's" Similes and Metaphors - ProTeacher Community. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Oct. 2013.
"Night by Elie Wiesel Similes or Metaphors." Night by Elie Wiesel Similes or Metaphors. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Oct. 2013.
"What Literary Element Is This? Why?" Yahoo! Answers. Yahoo!, n.d. Web. 24 Oct. 2013.