Extended metaphor
Encyclopedia
An extended metaphor, also called a conceit
, is a metaphor
that continues into the sentences that follow. It is often developed at great length, occurring frequently in schools coursework or throughout a work, and are especially effective in poems and fiction.
Symbolism is often a great tool to use in extended metaphors. This is often seen in William Shakespeare's work.
Extended metaphor poems are categorized into three groups: "of metaphors", "is metaphors", and "adjacent noun metaphors". An "of metaphor" is a metaphor consisting of the pattern "She is the love of my life". An "is metaphor" is more profound version of "of metaphors". These shorten the previous example to "She is love." An adjacent noun poem is a less common category. It uses three unrelated nouns to create a vivid image. Adjacent noun poems are usually lighthearted and entertaining. Extended metaphors are also often used in poetry, such as Robert Frost's The Road Not Taken.
Extended metaphors appear also in symbolic constitutions and many Native American literature pieces.
Conceit
In literature, a conceit is an extended metaphor with a complex logic that governs a poetic passage or entire poem. By juxtaposing, usurping and manipulating images and ideas in surprising ways, a conceit invites the reader into a more sophisticated understanding of an object of comparison...
, is a metaphor
Metaphor
A metaphor is a literary figure of speech that uses an image, story or tangible thing to represent a less tangible thing or some intangible quality or idea; e.g., "Her eyes were glistening jewels." Metaphor may also be used for any rhetorical figures of speech that achieve their effects via...
that continues into the sentences that follow. It is often developed at great length, occurring frequently in schools coursework or throughout a work, and are especially effective in poems and fiction.
Symbolism is often a great tool to use in extended metaphors. This is often seen in William Shakespeare's work.
- If one starts with the metaphor of "The seeds have already been sown", an extension could be "It remains to be seen whether weeds or flowers will spring forth."
- Also, many fables and fairy tales are often extended metaphors.
- Such as short stories like "Where Have You Gone, Charming Billy" by Tim O'Brien and "Tandem" by Dan Libman, which uses the metaphor of a tandem bike ride to illustrate a difficult marriage.
Extended metaphor poems are categorized into three groups: "of metaphors", "is metaphors", and "adjacent noun metaphors". An "of metaphor" is a metaphor consisting of the pattern "She is the love of my life". An "is metaphor" is more profound version of "of metaphors". These shorten the previous example to "She is love." An adjacent noun poem is a less common category. It uses three unrelated nouns to create a vivid image. Adjacent noun poems are usually lighthearted and entertaining. Extended metaphors are also often used in poetry, such as Robert Frost's The Road Not Taken.
Extended metaphors appear also in symbolic constitutions and many Native American literature pieces.