We seek to understand new experiences and phenomena by likening them to what we already understand. When we explicitly recognize that the similarity is only partial
, we should recognize that we are speaking analogically or metaphorically. The basic difference between an analogy and a metaphor is simple. When we put the word ‘like’ in our description, we create an analogy (He is LIKE a rat). When we omit the word ‘like’ we create a metaphor (He IS a rat.). Analogies and metaphors help us make sense of the world. We often explain something by comparing it (point by point) with something similar. Metaphors and analogies provide provisional models for understanding what we don’t yet “literally” understand.
There are, in any case, three kinds of statements: literal statements, analogical statements, and metaphorical statements. There are many tree stumps in this forest (literal). A tree stump is like
a chair in the forest (analogical). Every tree stump in this forest, and there are thousands, is a tribute
to the power of the lumber industry and a testament
to its indifference to ecology (metaphorical).
Let us now move to some examples of analogies or metaphors. Both are used to make sense of things. Let us consider how “useful” or “illuminating” each attempt is. In some cases, we will need to clarify the statement and context before evaluating it.
EXAMPLE:
“Life is like a beautiful and winding lane, on either side bright flowers, beautiful butterflies and tempting fruits, which we scarcely pause to admire and taste, so eager are we to hasten to an opening which we imagine will be more beautiful still.” —G.A. Sala
COMMENT:
What do you think? Each of us must consult our own experience to decide how useful this analogy is.
EXAMPLE:
Life is the childhood of our immortality. — Goethe
COMMENT:
This analogy assumes the existence of God and the soul. If you grant that assumption, then the analogy holds. If you don’t, then it doesn’t.
EXAMPLE:
“Common sense does not ask an impossible chessboard, but takes the one before it and plays the game.” —Wendell Phillips
COMMENT:
The point behind this metaphor is that rather than trying to make the impossible happen, we should deal with the inescapable realities of our lives. Can
anyone argue with that? Perhaps not, but there may be much argument about what is actually impossible and what inescapable.
EXAMPLE:
“The question is, are you going to stand up for your country or not?”
COMMENT:
What does “stand up” mean? Why not “lie down” for your country or “jump up and down” for it? The speaker is no doubt asking us to act patriotically, but what does that mean? In one interpretation — ”my country right or wrong” — you defend your country even when it is waging an unjust war. If you refuse to do so, you are labeled unpatriotic. In another interpretation it is your duty to support your country in a war IF IT IS JUSTIFIED and to oppose it if it is not.
EXAMPLE:
“War is the business of barbarians.” — Napoleon
COMMENT:
It is too bad that Napoleon did not mean what he said.
EXAMPLE:
“The blood, and only the blood, of the German people will determine our destiny.” — Adolph Hitler
COMMENT:
A typical statement by one of the world’s most notorious sophists and demogogues: vague, threatening, and misleading. A probable paraphrase might be: “Germany will win in any conflict if Germans are willing to die to bring that about.” Another possible interpretation might be: “Germany is the master race and racial characteristics are what determine who ultimately wins or loses.”
EXAMPLE:
“The chief evil of war is more evil. War is the concentration of all human crimes. Here is its distinguishing, accursed brand. Under its standard gather violence, malignity, rage, fraud, perfidy, rapacity, and lust. If it only slew man, it would do little. It turns man into a beast of prey.” — Channing
COMMENT:
Few people think of this metaphor when patriotic music is playing and the troops are marching off to wage war. Do you agree or disagree with the metaphor and/or the point behind our comment on it?