The art of the metaphor - Jane Hirshfield

Summary

This transcript delves into the power of metaphors in language and thought. It explains how metaphors, though not literal, can evoke powerful sensory experiences and emotions, making abstract ideas more tangible. Metaphors draw on our imagination and senses, allowing us to understand the world in unique ways. The script explores the difference between metaphors and similes, highlighting how metaphors often resonate emotionally and convey deep meaning. Through examples from poets like Shakespeare, Emily Dickinson, Langston Hughes, and Carl Sandburg, the transcript illustrates how metaphors help us perceive and feel the world around us more vividly and profoundly.

Takeaways

• 😀 Metaphors are a way of describing something indirectly by referring to something else.
• 😀 We often use metaphors in everyday language, such as in expressions like 'It's raining cats and dogs.'
• 😀 The philosopher William James described the world of newborn infants as a 'buzzing and blooming confusion,' emphasizing how metaphors connect us to sensory experiences.
• 😀 Metaphors engage the imagination and senses, making abstract ideas more tangible and emotional.
• 😀 While metaphors aren't literally true, they can feel 'right' or 'wrong' depending on their effectiveness in conveying meaning.
• 😀 A metaphor that doesn’t make sense, like comparing tiredness to a whale, leaves the listener confused.
• 😀 Some metaphors involve the use of similes, which are comparisons using 'like' or 'as,' such as 'strong as a tree' or 'sweet as honey.'
• 😀 Metaphors have the power to evoke feelings directly, whereas similes encourage thought and reflection.
• 😀 Metaphors are commonly used in poetry, where they can transform simple ideas into profound reflections, as shown in the haiku by Issa.
• 😀 Metaphors can extend across entire works, as in Langston Hughes' poem 'Mother to Son,' where a difficult life is compared to a broken house, illustrating resilience and struggle.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of metaphors in language?

Metaphors allow us to describe one thing by referencing another, often evoking vivid images or emotions to enhance understanding and communication.

How does William James describe the world of newborn infants?

William James describes the world of newborn infants as a 'buzzing and blooming confusion', emphasizing the chaotic, sensory-rich experience of early life.

What is the difference between metaphors and similes?

A metaphor describes something by equating it directly with something else, while a simile makes a comparison using 'like' or 'as' to highlight similarities between two things.

Why do metaphors 'feel right or wrong'?

Metaphors 'feel right or wrong' because they resonate with our senses and imagination; a good metaphor creates an emotional or sensory response, while a poor metaphor can leave us confused.

What role do metaphors play in abstract thinking?

Metaphors help bridge abstract ideas to sensory experiences, making complex or intangible concepts more relatable and easier to grasp by invoking vivid imagery.

What is the significance of the metaphor 'all the world's a stage' from Shakespeare?

This metaphor emphasizes the idea that life is like a theatrical performance, where people play different roles throughout their lives. The comparison of the world to a stage brings a rich, immediate understanding of life's transient nature.

How do metaphors evoke a sense of direct experience?

Metaphors bypass logical analysis and engage the imagination directly, allowing us to feel things in a deeper, more visceral way than through mere description or explanation.

What is the metaphor in Emily Dickinson's poem 'I saw no way -- the heavens were stitched'?

The metaphor in this line compares the sky to fabric that has been sewn shut, evoking a sense of closure, confinement, and perhaps a loss of freedom or possibility.

What does the haiku by Issa convey through its metaphor of a cricket on a branch?

The haiku uses the image of a cricket singing from a branch floating down a river to represent the fleeting nature of life. The metaphor invites reflection on time, change, and the inevitability of life's passage.

How does Langston Hughes' metaphor in 'Mother to Son' describe a difficult life?

In the poem, Hughes compares a difficult life to a 'wrecked house' with tacks, splinters, and missing carpet, symbolizing the hardships, struggles, and challenges one must endure in life.

What does Carl Sandburg's poem 'The fog comes on little cat feet' convey through the fog-as-cat metaphor?

The metaphor of fog as a cat suggests the quiet, stealthy, and almost graceful nature of fog as it moves over the harbor and city. The comparison evokes a calm, mysterious, and serene image of fog's presence.

Why are metaphors considered artistic rather than scientific?

Metaphors are artistic because they invoke imagination and emotions, often transcending logical or factual truth. They engage the senses and convey meanings that are not always literal or easily defined.