| Metaphor: Figure of explication occurring when a comparison made by speaking of one thing in terms of another; an implied comparison between two different things which share at least one attribute in common; an association between two unlike things (A vs. B) achieved by borrowing the language that refers to thing A and applying it to thing B. (not to be confused with simile) |
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Colonel Kurtz: "Are you an assassin?" Captain Willard: "I'm a soldier." Colonel Kurtz: "You're neither. You're an errand boy...sent by grocery clerks...to collect a bill." -- delivered by Marlon Brando and Martin Sheen (from the movie Apocalypse Now) |
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"Why this country is a shining city on a hill." -- Mario Cuomo, 1984 Democratic National Convention Address |
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"With this faith we will
be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation
into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood."
-- Martin Luther King, I Have a Dream Note here there are two metaphors which serve as a comparison for two different but related ideas: 1) racial problems = "jangling discords" and 2) racial problems solved through faith = "beautiful symphony of brotherhood" |
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"This is of course the big event of show
business and the atmosphere here is pure electricity. But as a
television show, it does tend to go slightly off the boil,
particularly as we drift into the third and fourth hour. What can we do
about it?" -- Paul Hogan, Remarks at the 59th Academy Awards |
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"At the dawn of spring last year, a single act of terror brought forth the long, cold winter in our hearts. The people of Oklahoma City are mourning still." -- Al Gore, Oklahoma Bombing Memorial Address Note here that the implied comparison is between the (unstated) emotions of grief and sorrow and "a long, cold winter." |
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"The Lord is my Shepherd. I shall not want." -- Psalm 23:1 (KJV) |
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