Metaphor Magic Neil McMahon ABS International ABS International Challenge Your English May 11 2006 Neil McMahon International House 1
Definition: Metaphor is defined as the substitution of one idea or substitution of one idea or object with another, used to assist expression or understanding. Neil McMahon International House 2
Simile or Metaphor? 1) Love is like oxygen: you get too much, it gets you high; not enough and you're gonna' die. 2) I say love; it is a flower, and you its only seed. 3) Television, the drug of the nation... 3) Television, the drug of the nation... 4) Remember when you're talkin' to the man upstairs that just because he doesn't answer doesn't mean he don't care... 5) See how they run - like pigs from a gun... 6) Have you come here to play Jesus, to the lepers in your head? Neil McMahon International House 3
Dead or Alive? Neil McMahon International House 4
1. Is "the growth of the economy" a dead or living metaphor? Why? A: Is "growth" exclusively for A: Is "growth" exclusively for living creatures, or does it simply mean "to become 'larger' or 'more' "? Neil McMahon International House 5
2. Is "raising his voice above the cries of the opposition" a dead or living metaphor? Why? A: Does "raising" mean " lifting in A: Does "raising" mean " lifting in altitude " or simply " increasing ”? Does "above" mean " higher in altitude " or simply " more ”? Neil McMahon International House 6
3. Is the phrase "we are all in the battlefield" a living metaphor? A: Really, honestly, are we in a battlefield...? Neil McMahon International House 7
4. Is "…in the fight against our unseen enemy" also a living metaphor? A: Does the enemy have A: Does the enemy have qualities that can ever be seen? Can a human be a vehicle for the enemy, without being the enemy itself? Neil McMahon International House 8
5. Why is it difficult for us to draw a clear distinction between dead metaphor and living metaphor? A: When a graffiti artist puts a "throwup" on the wall, are they "throwup" on the wall, are they a) tossing an object upwards against the wall? b) vomiting on the wall? c) quickly painting their name? Neil McMahon International House 9
1. Ideas and Emotions as Metaphors "When she said the secret word, the doorman slid out of the way." "When the computer crashed for the third time, Jason finally blew his cork." "The chairperson closed the door to further debate on the issue." "Her decision was pivotal to the future of the company." "The district attorney complained about the revolving door prison system." prison system." "Respect must swing both ways." "The judge pushed aside the defences' arguments." "She twisted the facts to get the teacher's permission to leave." "The management finally caved in to the union's demands." "What is your threshold for pain?" "It's curtains for the Boston Red Sox this year!" "The opposition folded, leaving the bill subject to pass into approval." Neil McMahon International House 10
Making Metaphors: Collections and Collectors E.g. A mosaic of activities glued E.g. A mosaic of activities glued together by the metaphor theme. Art: An ironic sense of the sophisticated and crude in wedlock. Neil McMahon International House 11
A stew of activities cooked together by the metaphor theme. A hodgepodge of activities blended together by the metaphor theme. An orchestra of activities conducted by the metaphor theme. A troupe of activities choreographed by the metaphor theme. A flock of activities herded by the metaphor theme. A gathering of activities hosted by the metaphor theme. A salad of activities tossed by the metaphor theme. Neil McMahon International House 12
A dryer-load of activities tumbled together by the metaphor theme. A clockwork of activities synchronized by the metaphor theme. A spectrum of activities focused by the metaphor theme. A tour through the activities guided by the metaphor theme. metaphor theme. A blend of activities sifted together by the metaphor theme. A cocktail of activities shaken (not stirred!) together by the metaphor theme. A quilt of activities stitched together by the metaphor theme. Neil McMahon International House 13
Making Sense of Metaphors An old flame . A shining example of democracy. End on a sour note. I'm so hot for her and she's so cold. She thundered into the room. An icy stare An icy stare The news inflamed her temper You've given me something to chew on! Plans are still a little hazy . A beacon for fellow workers. That man reeks of infidelity! The stench of failure. Neil McMahon International House 14
The words were music to his ears. My memory is a little cloudy . He found her behaviour unpalatable . A feverish pace. The author's gritty style. Her bubbly personality A rainbow of flavours. A rainbow of flavours. Her voice is beginning to grate on me. Love stinks ! A glowing review. The high note of the evening. Neil McMahon International House 15
Making Meaningful Metaphor ANGER IS… LOVE IS… WORRYING IS… ENGLISH TEACHING IS… LANGUAGE LEARNING IS… Neil McMahon International House 16
Making Meaningful Metaphor ANGER IS… fire fire red energy parts of the body Neil McMahon International House 17
Making Meaningful Metaphor LOVE IS… food energy energy heat parts of the body music light fire Neil McMahon International House 18
Making Meaningful Metaphor WORRYING IS… spending money talking using energy Neil McMahon International House 19
Making Meaningful Metaphor ENGLISH TEACHING IS… a restaurant managing a football team managing a football team life a joke conducting an orchestra building a house Neil McMahon International House 20
Making Meaningful Metaphor LANGUAGE LEARNING IS… buying clothes cooking playing football keeping fit building a house a relationship Neil McMahon International House 21
Metaphor Systems In Speeches darkest lit fire fire fire warms burns kindles "...And as hope ………. hope, millions more will find it. By our efforts, we have ……… a ………. as well - a ………. in ……… a ………. as well - a ………. in the minds of men. It ………. those who feel its power, it ………. those who fight its progress, and one day this untamed ………. of freedom will reach the ………. corners of our world." Neil McMahon International House 22
Metaphor Systems In Speeches "...And as hope kindles hope, millions more will find it. By our efforts, we have lit a fire as well - a fire in the minds of men. It warms those who feel its power, it burns those who feel its power, it burns those who fight its progress, and one day this untamed fire of freedom will reach the darkest corners of our world.“ Premise:Freedom is a fire which starts as hope. Neil McMahon International House 23
note promise promissory note a bad check obligation guaranteed defaulted honouring insufficient funds insufficient funds bank bankrupt vaults "...This ……… was a ……… that all men would be ……… the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It is obvious today that America has ……… on this ……… ………insofar as America has ……… on this ……… ………insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of ……… this sacred ………, America has given the Negro people ……… ……… which has come back marked "………. ………". But we refuse to believe that the ……… of justice is ………. We refuse to believe that there are ……… ……… in the great ……… of opportunity of this nation." Neil McMahon International House 24
‘...This note was a promise that all men would be guaranteed the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honouring this sacred obligation , America has given the Negro people a bad check which has come back marked " insufficient funds ". which has come back marked " insufficient funds ". But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt . We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation.’ Premise: Opportunity is the currency of the American dream Neil McMahon International House 25
Top Ten Metaphors of 2005 1) (political) fallout 2) road map 3) tidal wave 4) fusion 5) toxic gumbo 6) mix 7) catcher's mitt 8) iPod 9) housing bubble 10) storm Neil McMahon International House 26
"A ……… of controversy." "Sprite Re ……… Aruba Jam." "I've got a thousand songs in my ………" "The housing ……… has burst." "New Orleans became filled with a ………" "……… from the scandal." "The Gulf Coast is a ……… for hurricanes." "A ……… of generosity." "Unfolding the ……… to peace." "A ……… of technology and personality." Neil McMahon International House 27
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