Journal: Metaphors

Journal: Metaphors

1. Do some research on a sonnet and a metaphor and write a definition for both in your Journal

A sonnet is a fourteen-line poem with a fixed rhyme scheme. In English, typically having ten syllables per line. Sonnets often use iambic pentameter, five sets of unstressed syllable followed by stressed syllable for a ten-syllable line.

A metaphor is a rhetorical figure of speech that compares two subjects that are not literally comparable but draws on a similarity in idea or concept that connects the two. It is a comparison without the use of “like” or “as”.

2. Explain why this poem is a sonnet.

This poem is not a conventional sonnet poem, despite the fact that it has a regular syllabic count in each line; but, has only nine lines and nine syllables per line. It does follow a pattern and is using the sonnet form of comparing one state of being with others that are dissimilar and yet, connected.

3. Count how many metaphors there are in the poem.

There are around fourteen different metaphors that can be found in the poem:

“I am the riddle…” (Line 1), “I am….an elephant,” (Line 2) “… a ponderous house.” (Line 2), “A melon…” (Line 3) “Strolling on two tendrils.” (Line 3), “Red fruit” (Line 4) “…ivory” (Line 4) “…fine timber.”(Line 4) “This loaf’s big with its yeasty rising” (Line 5), and “I am a means…” (Line 7) “…a stage” (Line 7) “….a cow in calf.” (Line 7) “I’ve eaten a bag of green apples.” (Line 8) “Boarded the train there’s no getting off.” (Line 9)

4. Choose one metaphor, describe what two things are being compared, and explain why it is a metaphor.

Plath compares the largeness of her state of pregnancy as “I’m…” and a series of metaphors. The most obvious being, “An elephant”. She is not just a little pregnant; she is expressing a ripe and full pregnancy – one that could be in any phase where it has become obvious and apparent to herself and to others that she is with child. It is a metaphor since she simply is “An elephant”; her use of metaphor here is not subtle; it is a stark visual comparison of being huge with child.