Metaphor is a figurative expression for stylistic effect. It doesn’t describe things directly; instead, it compares them in an indirect way. Metaphors are classified in many ways. Each type has its own uniqueness, and I’ll discuss common types with examples.
This article gives an overview of the common kinds of metaphor, which include these following types.
- Extended Metaphor
- Mixed Metaphor
- Dead metaphor
- Implied Metaphor
- Conceptual Metaphor
- Primary Metaphor
- Root Metaphor
- Sustained Metaphor
- Absolute metaphor
- Direct Metaphor
- Indirect Metaphor
- Conventional Metaphor
- Creative Metaphor
- Allegorical Metaphor
- compound metaphor
- Submerged Metaphor
- Therapeutic Metaphor
- Organizational metaphor
- Visual Metaphor
Extended Metaphor
An extended metaphor is a metaphor that is carried out in detail throughout a piece of writing or speech. It is a way of exploring a comparison by expanding on it, often using multiple sentences or even paragraphs.
For example, “Life is a rollercoaster, with its ups and downs, twists and turns, and moments of pure exhilaration and fear” (Lakoff & Johnson, 1980).
Mixed Metaphor
A mixed metaphor occurs when two or more metaphors are combined in a way that is illogical or incongruous. This can result in a confusing or humorous effect.
For instance, “We need to nip this problem in the bud before it snowballs out of control” (Gibbs, 1994).
Conceptual Metaphor
Conceptual metaphors are the underlying, systematic connections we make between two conceptual domains,
such as “LIFE IS A JOURNEY” or “LOVE IS A JOURNEY” (Lakoff & Johnson, 1980).
Dead metaphor
A dead metaphor is a metaphor that has become so commonly used that it has lost its original metaphorical meaning and is now considered a literal expression.
For Example: “the foot of the mountain” or “the leg of the table” (Lakoff & Johnson, 1980).
Implied Metaphor
An implied metaphor is a metaphor in which the comparison is not directly stated but is implied through the context or language used.
For example, “She is a rose in the garden of life” (Lakoff & Johnson, 1980).
Primary Metaphor
Primary metaphors are the basic, foundational metaphors that are grounded in our bodily and sensorimotor experiences. They form the building blocks of more complex, conceptual metaphors.
An example is “AFFECTION IS WARMTH” (Grady, 1997).
Root Metaphor
A root metaphor is a fundamental metaphor that shapes our understanding of the world and guides our thinking and behavior. It is a metaphor that is deeply embedded in our culture and worldview.
For instance, the metaphor “LIFE IS A JOURNEY” is a root metaphor in many Western cultures (Pepper, 1942).
Sustained Metaphor
A sustained metaphor is an extended metaphor that is maintained throughout a piece of writing or speech. It is a way of exploring a comparison in depth, often using multiple sentences or even paragraphs.
For example, “The world is a stage, and we are all merely players” (Shakespeare, As You Like It).
Absolute metaphor
An absolute metaphor is a metaphor that is not based on any clear similarity between the two things being compared. It is a metaphor that creates a new meaning or understanding that goes beyond the literal meaning of the words.
For instance, “Time is a thief” (Ricoeur, 1977).
Direct Metaphor
A direct metaphor is a metaphor in which the comparison is explicitly stated, using the words “is” or “are.”
For example, “My heart is a drum” (Lakoff & Johnson, 1980).
Indirect Metaphor
An indirect metaphor is a metaphor in which the comparison is not directly stated but is implied through the context or language used.
For instance, “She is a rose in the garden of life” (Lakoff & Johnson, 1980).
Conventional Metaphor
Conventional metaphors are metaphors that are commonly used and accepted within a particular culture or language. They are often so ingrained in our everyday speech that we may not even recognize them as metaphors.
Examples include “time is money” or “life is a journey” (Lakoff & Johnson, 1980).
Creative Metaphor
Creative metaphors are novel, innovative metaphors that challenge our conventional ways of thinking and offer new perspectives. They are often used in poetry, literature, and creative writing to evoke unique and powerful images.
For instance, “The world is a symphony, and we are the musicians” (Lakoff & Johnson, 1980).
Allegorical Metaphor
Allegorical metaphor is the metaphorical comparison embedded within a larger allegorical work. It carries both its literal meaning and a symbolic meaning that aligns with the overall allegory.
For example : The Lord of the Rings as an allegory for the struggle between good and evil.
Compound metaphor
A compound metaphor is a metaphor that combines two or more metaphors into a single expression. This can create a more complex and layered comparison.
For example, “Life is a rollercoaster ride on the highway of existence” (Lakoff & Johnson, 1980).
Submerged Metaphor
A submerged metaphor is a metaphor that is hidden or implicit within the language, but still plays a significant role in shaping our understanding and perception. These metaphors are often deeply embedded in our cultural and linguistic frameworks.
For instance, the metaphor “ARGUMENT IS WAR” is a submerged metaphor that underlies much of our everyday language about arguments (Lakoff & Johnson, 1980).
Therapeutic Metaphor
Therapeutic metaphors are metaphors used in the context of counseling, psychotherapy, or other helping professions to facilitate personal growth, healing, and change. These metaphors often draw on the client’s own experiences and perspectives to create new insights and understandings.
For example, “Your life is a garden, and you are the gardener, tending to the growth and flourishing of your inner landscape” (Kopp, 1995).
Organizational metaphor
Organizational metaphors are metaphors used in the context of businesses, organizations, and institutions to describe their structure, culture, and dynamics. These metaphors can shape the way we perceive and understand the organization, and can influence decision-making and problem-solving.
For instance, “The company is a well-oiled machine, with each department working in harmony to achieve our goals” (Morgan, 1986).
Visual Metaphor
Visual metaphors are metaphors that are expressed through images, rather than solely through language. These metaphors can be found in art, design, and various forms of visual communication, and they can be used to convey complex ideas and emotions in a more immediate and impactful way.
For example, a photograph of a person’s face superimposed on the body of a lion could be a visual metaphor for “courage” or “strength” (Forceville, 1996).
What are the types of metaphor that use in English Literature?
Types of metaphor that use in English Literature are:
- Conventional Metaphors
- Extended Metaphor
- Implied Metaphors
- Dead Metaphors
- Mixed Metaphors
- Creative metaphor
What are the types of metaphor that use in writing?
Types of metaphor that use in writing are:
- Direct Metaphor
- Implied Metaphor
- Visual metaphor
- Extended metaphor
- Creative metaphor
- Allegorical metaphor
How to identify which type of metaphor is?
Identifying the type of metaphor requires analyzing the structure and the relationship between the elements being compared. For extended metaphor, Look for a single analogy developed over several lines, sentences, or even throughout an entire work. For example, In Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, he extended the metaphor of “cashing a check” to symbolize the unfulfilled promises to African Americans.
For Mixed Metaphor, Look for the combination of two or more unrelated metaphors, often resulting in a nonsensical statement. For example, “We’ll burn that bridge when we come to it.”
For Dead Metaphor, these are so common that they are no longer recognized as metaphors. For Example: “A bright idea.”
For Implied Metaphor, note where one thing is described as if it were something else. For Example: “She bristled with anger.”
How many types of metaphor that use commonly?
There Are many Types that commonly use some are include, Extended metaphor, dead metaphor, implied metaphor and Conceptual metaphor.