Extended metaphors and allegory are powerful tools poets use to create deeper meaning. They compare unlike things over multiple lines, building complex imagery and symbolism. These techniques help readers visualize abstract ideas and engage with the poem's themes on a deeper level.

Allegories take this a step further, using characters and events to represent bigger concepts. From political critiques to spiritual journeys, allegories tell stories with hidden meanings, encouraging readers to look beyond the surface and uncover deeper truths.

Extended Metaphors

Comparing Two Dissimilar Things

• Extended metaphor develops an elaborate comparison between two dissimilar things over multiple lines or stanzas of a poem
• Conceit is a type of extended metaphor that makes a surprising or unlikely comparison between two very different things (life and a box of chocolates)
• Sustained comparison maintains the metaphorical connection throughout a significant portion of the poem, often becoming central to its meaning
• Extended metaphors can be used for thematic development by using the comparison to explore deeper ideas, emotions, or concepts in the poem

Enhancing Meaning and Imagery

• Extended metaphors create vivid and memorable imagery that engages the reader's imagination and helps them visualize the comparison
• By sustaining the metaphor, the poet can delve into multiple aspects of the comparison, revealing new insights and perspectives
• The use of extended metaphor adds depth and complexity to the poem's meaning, encouraging readers to think critically about the relationship between the two compared elements
• Skillful use of extended metaphor can make abstract concepts more concrete and relatable, enhancing the emotional impact of the poem (love as a journey)

Allegory

Symbolic Representation

• Allegory is a literary device in which characters, events, and settings represent abstract ideas, principles, or moral qualities
• In an allegory, the surface-level story conveys a deeper, symbolic meaning that often teaches a lesson or provides commentary on a particular theme
• Symbolic representation allows the writer to explore complex ideas or critiques in a more accessible and engaging way
• Allegories often personify abstract concepts, giving them human characteristics or actions to make them more relatable (Death as a character)

Types and Examples

• Narrative allegory tells a story in which the characters and events symbolize deeper meanings, such as in George Orwell's "Animal Farm" (animals representing political figures and ideologies)
• Religious allegories use characters and stories to represent spiritual or moral concepts, such as John Bunyan's "The Pilgrim's Progress" (the journey of the soul towards salvation)
• Political allegories critique or comment on political systems, leaders, or events through symbolic representation, like Aesop's Fables (animals representing human traits and behaviors)
• Allegories can also be found in other forms of art, such as paintings (Sandro Botticelli's "Primavera" depicting the renewal of spring) and films ("The Matrix" as an allegory for awakening to reality)