What is a metaphor?

A noun:

1.a figure of speech in which a term or phrase is applied to something to which it is not literally applicable in order to suggest a resemblance, as in “A mighty fortress is our God.”Compare mixed metaphor, simile (def. 1).

2.something used, or regarded as being used, to represent something else; emblem; symbol.
In class, I created a metaphor about teachers : ” A teacher is a cloud, constantly moving”. It is cheesy…and it will be embarrassing if I actually use this phrase in class.
I believe that in our minds we are constantly making metaphors about different things in our lives– example: “that dog is a lion” “she’s a snake” “what a dog”. See? metaphors are constantly invading our thought process, and we weren’t even aware.

Postman states, “Definitions, questions, metaphors—these are three of the most potent elements with which human language constructs a worldview” (p. 175).

Something interesting to point out is that we were asked to describe “the” defintion and “a” definition. I have noticed the distinction before, but it has come to my attention that just one small work can change the whole meaning of a sentence (which we discussed during class).

Postman chapter 9 points out in  “The Word Weavers/ The World Makers” that “the” and “a” change the whole idea or object of discussion. Postman goes on to say that technology should be incorporated into schools so much as to actually become a subject. Postman includes 10 principles for technology, one being technology, as it is changing affects everyone either negatively or positively, but it DOES affect everyone.

This being said, when you see a truck- do you think of a man or a woman? What stereotype has society placed trucks with?

Imagine if this truck had the word “STUD” written on it– would that make certain genders be more enthused to buy this certain truck? What do your cars say about you? Personally, I have a 1994 Camaro Convertible–and I feel it demonstrates me perfectly– cute, yet adventurous. I feel like people’s cars reflect themselves just like people’s dog tend to look like their owner. But I ask again, what if it said the word “STUD”? Metaphors are pointed towards certain genders, and we need to be aware of it. Our identity seems to be caught up in our vehicles and what we possess, yet society stereotypes it. Trucks are masculine–and that’s what we are taught. So let’s look beyond the outer layer at what society is trying to portray and what “Idea” we are buying with our money. Why are we buying the things we do? Is it because something is more feminine or masculine?
“Propaganda tries to force a doctrine on the whole people… it works on the general public from the standpoint of an idea and makes them ripe for the victory of this idea.”

if you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it.

The above statement can be about anything — not just lies. If someone tells me only males buy trucks enough times growing up, that’s all I will know. I will think that girls who own trucks are “edgy” or a “tomboy”. What is this world coming to? What other examples can you visualize?

Here is a brief, yet hilarious video on metaphors:

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