Today in class, we went in depth on how metaphors can be more than just a comparison without using "like" or "as". We started by defining what a metaphor is in our groups. Then, we learned that there are two key components of a metaphor: the tenor and the vehicle. The tenor is the idea being communicated, while the vehicle is the person, object, or action that is being used to convey that idea. For example, in Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet", the famous line "What light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun" is a metaphor with a tenor and a vehicle. Juliet is the tenor because she is the idea and the vehicles are light, the east, and the sun. Romeo is comparing her to the light and sun because he feels that she is beautiful and important.
Next, we learned a new word: allegory, which is vastly more complex than a metaphor. An allegory is a network of metaphors that are connected to convey a certain message. Allegories are used to provide commentary/critique on the outside world through thematic assertions and complications. They can exist as an entire narrative or just one scene (OR a moment in one scene). A perfect example of an allegory is in X-Men. The comic parallels important civil rights movements that were taking place in the 1960s. The figure heads of these movements were Martin Luther King Jr., who believed in peace and unity, and Malcolm X, who believed that African Americans had to use violence to get justice. MLK is represented by Magneto and Malcolm X is represented by Professor X. The whole story is an allegory about the differing methods used by two leaders in order to achieve civil rights.
The next example of an allegory that the class analyzed was a scene from The Wire. In the scene, one character used chess to teach two corner boys about the drug game and their role in it. Each piece was a vehicle for a position in the drug cartel. For example, the castle represented the stash. Both the castle and the stash of drugs need to be protected and to be moved to move to new locations. The character who was explaining chess used each piece to describe the positions of the drug cartel, which makes this scene one giant allegory.
Allegories are an important part of film because they can represent a message that teaches the audience something new about society. Movies and television often use a network of metaphors to portray a problem that is occurring in the world. Using a vehicle that is more understandable to the audience can help people understand complex topics. This can especially be seen in the movie Wall-E because even though it is a sci-fi movie, it represents the dangers of pollution and wastefulness on Earth.
Really strong description of our learning in class! Keep pushing the extension! You tell us that movies/tv use networks of metaphors to portray problems, so why not give us an example of one from OUTSIDE of our classroom (non-Wall-E, non-The Wire, etc.). Good details!
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