Exploring Metaphors, Similes, and Symbolism in Literature

Literary devices Literary devices Metaphors, Similes and Symbolism

Metaphor Similes and metaphors are both used to make comparisons or elucidate concepts. Metaphors simply state a comparison. Similes use the words like or as to compare things. Because they both make comparisons, all similes are metaphors, but not all metaphors are similes.

Some Examples Life is like Baby, you re a Have you ever felt like a

Some Examples Life is like a box of chocolates Baby, you re a firework Have you ever felt like a plastic bag

Some Examples Life is like a box of chocolates Simile Baby, you re a firework Metaphor Have you ever felt like a plastic bag Simile

Some Examples Life is like a box of chocolates Simile Baby, you re a firework Metaphor Have you ever felt like a plastic bag Simile

Bradbury really loves them metaphors When the first version of he novel was finished, I hardly knew what I had done. I knew that it was crammed with metaphors, but the word metaphor had not occurred to me at tat time in my life. It was only later in time when I got to know the word and realized that my capacity for collecting metaphors was so complete (Bradbury, 2008; p. 4) Bradbury, R. (2008). Introduction to the 50thanniversary edition. Fahrenheit 451. Harper Voyager, London.

Collect 5 examples from the book The woman on the bed was no more than a hard stratum of marble (p.23) One of them slid down into your stomach like a black cobra (p. 22) So now do you see why books are hated and feared? They show the pores in the face of life (p.108) There was a hiss like a great mouthful of spittle banging a redhot stove, a bubbling and frothing as if salt had been poured over a monstrous black snail to cause a terrible liquefaction and a boiling over of yellow foam (p.155)

Draw/Sketch 5 things that stood out for you in the book so far

What are these?

What are these?

Symbols A symbol is something that represents something else, without being directly compared to it. Often a concrete thing that represents an abstract thing. It requires more work on your part to figure them out.

Difference with symbolism in stories: However the characters feel or react towards the symbol, that is also how they feel about the idea/ thing it represents

Draw/Sketch 5 things that stood out for you in the book so far

Example: The Mechanical Hound 3 Sentences that describe how Montag feels about the Hound Montag is afraid of the hound The hound hunts down people The hound is not alive Montag kills a hound

Example: The Mechanical Hound 3 Sentences that describe how Montag feels about the Hound Montag is afraid of books The books hunt down people The book is not alive Montag kills a book

Example: The Mechanical Hound 3 Sentences that describe how Montag feels about the Hound Montag is afraid of books The books hunt down people The book is not alive Montag kills a book

Example: The Mechanical Hound 3 Sentences that describe how Montag feels about the Hound Montag is afraid of the Government The Government hunts down people The Government is not alive Montag kills the a Government

So The mechanical Hound symbolizes the government

Tips for successful Symbol-hunting Watch for something that stands out in the book (or calls attention to itself) Find something that it links to or resembles it in real life Take the author s attitude towards the symbol into account Note: The same symbol can be used in different ways, by different authors, with different meanings.

Try These:

The Hound The mechanical hound does what it's told, just all the citizens in Fahrenheit 451.-the mechanical hound is made from metal so it's cold, and it doesn't have any emotions. The people in Fahrenheit also don't really have any emotions and creativity The mechanical hound symbolizes the government. They say they protect people, but they actually kill the people and they don't protect them. They are actually harming them. The mechanical hound symbolizes the technological influence on society, because the citizens in Fahrenheit 451 are being controlled by technology.- the mechanical hound symbolizes McCarthyism, because McCarthy spied on the Russians and sniffed out the people. Just like the mechanical hound sniffs out the books The mechanical hound numbs people in that way the targets cannot move and don't feel anything. Just like the citizens do not feel anything.

The Phoenix The phoenix represents rebirth, because when a phoenix dies it is born again. This symbolizes Montag, because first he was a fireman, But then he meets Clarisse and he changes his attitude by respecting books and acting against the government. He is kind of reborn. The Phoenix has wings, which represent freedom, and that is what Montag desires. That's why Montag acted against the government.

Books Books are constantly compared to birds (similes/metaphors). Like the Phoenix, birds have wings and as such also represents freedom. Freedom to think, freedom to be sad, freedom to differ

Walls The walls symbolize the people, if the walls are switched off , the people also shut down, they reflect the lack of knowledge in society. It also symbolizes emptiness, because they watch and see them as their own family. They make them play a part in a predetermined script.

Universal symbols That appear in multiple works and multiple cultures along the line Fire Purifies So does water In the book: double meaning Destruction & Comfort