Why Do We Use Metaphors?

When we are trying to draw a sharp comparison between two things and we really want to get our point across, in a fantastic way, we will often use metaphors. They are a form of figurative language that can really get a point across to readers. For example you could say the, "The car door opened." Sure, this will get your point across to your readers and they will understand what has happened, but you could really juice up the sentence and make the situation vivid to your readers by adding a metaphor. What if we changed that sentence to give the reader a sense of the speed that it opened, just by adding one simple word? "The car door flung open." This instantly gives the reader the sense that the car door had some velocity when it opened. The reader now has a sense that someone or something was behind the door opening. In the first version we had no idea if the door opening was simply caused by gravity.

Metaphors are often used at times when authors are trying to paint the nature of a character or the situation they are in. In literature they are often used to demonstrate the nature of a relationship. An author could say "Sally was not happy that Tim decided to leave her." This would provide the reader with the facts, but it doesn’t really paint a picture. We can easily jazz up that sentence with something like, "Sally was completely heartbroken that Tim left her side." Does Sally's heart literally broken? No, but it adds a new level of emotional connection between the characters.

How to Identify a Metaphor

Authors use metaphors to add vivid descriptions and examples for their readers. This helps their readers get a solid mental picture of what they author is trying to portray in their work. Metaphors can be spotted by first identifying that a comparison or likeness is being stated by an author. Not all comparisons are metaphors. If the words "as" or "like" are present, this usually indicates the comparison is be put forward as a simile. They also push the thought that one thing is or was previously something else. You need to remember that metaphors are presented in a fantastic form to massage the reader’s thoughts.

There are several different types of metaphors:

Absolute- When you compare two things that have no real connection.

Dead Forms- These are used way too often. Like songs that are overplayed on the radio. They in-turn lose their affect on the audience.

Implied - This is a comparison made with specifically stating the comparison.

Root Forms - These are the opposite of dead metaphors. We use these every day, but no one ever seems to get bored of them. They become part of our culture.