Extended Metaphor Examples

If you pick up any text and peruse through it, you'll find that the text is made more interesting with the help of several literary devices. We talk about one such literary device today, that being an extended metaphor. Using extended metaphors is a technique by which an already existing metaphor is carried forth immediately into the next sentence or even throughout the text, thereby leading to a great literary effect. It is also known as a conceit. If this technique is used effectively, it can lend to one of the best literary techniques and can portray the talent of an author or poet very well. However, unnecessary usage or the incorrect usage of this device can often lead to confusion in the readers and thereby cause a disconnect. In order to understand this concept better, we need to look through certain extended metaphor examples in different works of art. In the following article, we will be getting into the details of this literary device as well as giving you examples of the same to drive the point home.

What is an Extended Metaphor

Let's understand what a metaphor is before moving on to the details of an extended metaphor. A metaphor is a figure of speech that uses two very different or two concepts that are not connected in any way, to draw a comparison between the two. For example, one can compare one's temperament to the moon - and then describe certain qualities of the moon like pale, bright etc to describe their mood. Here the moon and one's temperament are not connected, but a connect is made by merging the two, completely different concepts.

Now let's take the same metaphor example forward to understand what an extended metaphor is. When the moon and one's temperament are continued to be compared throughout the work of art and not simply limited to that one line, it becomes an example of an extended metaphor. In this example, the different qualities of the moon - like the shape, color or the brightness and the different qualities of a person's life are used to draw a parallel and in that way it becomes an extended metaphor.

As is clear, if an author is able to compare the two unlikely concepts clearly, it can turn into one of the best extended metaphors which will not only lend a unique quality to the text but also portray the talent of the artist. But if the same example is not used well and there is more confusion created rather than clarity, then it is always a better choice to use simple metaphor lists.

Examples in Literature

This literary device is quite popular when it comes to the English language. There are several examples of extended metaphor that one can look into in the following section.

Example # 1
"All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts, His acts being seven ages. At first the infant, mewling and puking in the nurse's arms... - 'As You Like It' - William Shakespeare

This is probably one of the most popular examples of an extended metaphor. In this the world is compared to a stage and the comparison extends to include the roles of people. Thus the comparison that was drawn continues in the following sentences as well.

Example # 2
The fog comes in on little cat feet.
It sits looking over the harbor and city
on silent haunches
and then, moves on. - 'Fog' - Carl Sandburg.

There can be several things that can be compared to a 'fog' in our life. It could be the feelings that one has, the problems in ones life or maybe even death. The point being that each of these concepts can be used in the same lines as that of a fog and explained with great clarity. The concept of a fog is carried on over the next few lines to further denote that subject.

Example # 3
If they be two, they are two so
As still twin compasses are two;
Thy soul, the fixed foot, makes no show
To move, but doth, if th'other do.

And though it in the center sit,
Yet when the other far doth roam,
It lean and hearkens after it,
And grows erect, as that comes home. - 'A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning' - John Donne.

In this very, very famous piece, Donne compares the two ends of a compass to two separated lovers and goes on to show how the two, though separated are always joined at the hearts. Just like a compass is. The poem has another stanza that goes into greater detail about this very quality.

There are several other examples in poetry as well as texts that can be studied. Extended metaphors are used liberally and crafted into perfection by several authors to lend a great quality to their texts as is clearly seen through these examples. It goes to show how the correct usage of extended metaphors in literature lends to a great work of art. Hoping that the concept of extended metaphors is made clear to you. For a more detailed study of the same, you can always read up on some texts in literature.