Function of Metaphor: Poetry - AP English Literature and Composition
Card 1 of 30
What is the most reliable way to distinguish metaphor from simile?
What is the most reliable way to distinguish metaphor from simile?
Tap to reveal answer
Metaphor asserts identity; simile compares using "like" or "as". Direct equation (is/was/are) vs. comparison markers distinguish them.
Metaphor asserts identity; simile compares using "like" or "as". Direct equation (is/was/are) vs. comparison markers distinguish them.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is a mixed metaphor?
What is a mixed metaphor?
Tap to reveal answer
A faulty blend of incompatible metaphorical images in one expression. Combines unrelated metaphors illogically.
A faulty blend of incompatible metaphorical images in one expression. Combines unrelated metaphors illogically.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify whether this is extended metaphor: "Life is a journey" repeated with travel details.
Identify whether this is extended metaphor: "Life is a journey" repeated with travel details.
Tap to reveal answer
Extended metaphor. Journey metaphor continues with travel imagery.
Extended metaphor. Journey metaphor continues with travel imagery.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is an extended metaphor?
What is an extended metaphor?
Tap to reveal answer
A metaphor sustained and developed across multiple lines or passages. It elaborates one central comparison throughout.
A metaphor sustained and developed across multiple lines or passages. It elaborates one central comparison throughout.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which option best states a metaphor’s function rather than its literal meaning?
Which option best states a metaphor’s function rather than its literal meaning?
Tap to reveal answer
It reveals the speaker’s attitude by framing the subject through an image. Function describes effect, not literal comparison.
It reveals the speaker’s attitude by framing the subject through an image. Function describes effect, not literal comparison.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What does it mean to explain the function of a metaphor (not just identify it)?
What does it mean to explain the function of a metaphor (not just identify it)?
Tap to reveal answer
State how it develops meaning, tone, or theme in context. Function analysis goes beyond identification to purpose.
State how it develops meaning, tone, or theme in context. Function analysis goes beyond identification to purpose.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the vehicle in: "Her mind was a locked room".
Identify the vehicle in: "Her mind was a locked room".
Tap to reveal answer
A locked room. The vehicle is the comparison image (locked room).
A locked room. The vehicle is the comparison image (locked room).
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the metaphor in this line: "Time is a thief."
Identify the metaphor in this line: "Time is a thief."
Tap to reveal answer
Time is a thief. The entire statement equates time with thief directly.
Time is a thief. The entire statement equates time with thief directly.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the vehicle in the metaphor "Time is a thief"?
What is the vehicle in the metaphor "Time is a thief"?
Tap to reveal answer
Thief. The vehicle is what the tenor is compared to.
Thief. The vehicle is what the tenor is compared to.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which word signals a metaphor in: "Her voice was velvet"?
Which word signals a metaphor in: "Her voice was velvet"?
Tap to reveal answer
was. This linking verb creates the metaphorical equation.
was. This linking verb creates the metaphorical equation.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is a metaphor in literary analysis?
What is a metaphor in literary analysis?
Tap to reveal answer
A direct comparison stating one thing is another to create meaning. Unlike simile, metaphor creates identity without comparison words.
A direct comparison stating one thing is another to create meaning. Unlike simile, metaphor creates identity without comparison words.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which step best completes metaphor analysis after identifying tenor and vehicle?
Which step best completes metaphor analysis after identifying tenor and vehicle?
Tap to reveal answer
Infer shared qualities and connect them to theme, tone, or character. Analysis requires linking comparison to literary effect.
Infer shared qualities and connect them to theme, tone, or character. Analysis requires linking comparison to literary effect.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the tenor in the metaphor "Time is a thief"?
What is the tenor in the metaphor "Time is a thief"?
Tap to reveal answer
Time. The tenor is what's being described metaphorically.
Time. The tenor is what's being described metaphorically.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which phrase is most likely a dead metaphor: "the foot of the bed" or "my grief is an ocean"?
Which phrase is most likely a dead metaphor: "the foot of the bed" or "my grief is an ocean"?
Tap to reveal answer
"the foot of the bed". "Foot" barely registers as metaphorical anymore.
"the foot of the bed". "Foot" barely registers as metaphorical anymore.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is a dead metaphor?
What is a dead metaphor?
Tap to reveal answer
A conventional metaphor whose figurative force is largely worn out. Original figurative meaning has become literal through overuse.
A conventional metaphor whose figurative force is largely worn out. Original figurative meaning has become literal through overuse.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the problem in: "We will sail through this and hit the ground running."
Identify the problem in: "We will sail through this and hit the ground running."
Tap to reveal answer
Mixed metaphor. Sailing and running clash as incompatible images.
Mixed metaphor. Sailing and running clash as incompatible images.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the metaphorical claim in: "The city swallowed him whole."
Identify the metaphorical claim in: "The city swallowed him whole."
Tap to reveal answer
The city swallowed him whole. Direct metaphor: city = predator that swallows.
The city swallowed him whole. Direct metaphor: city = predator that swallows.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which function best fits a violent metaphor describing debate as combat?
Which function best fits a violent metaphor describing debate as combat?
Tap to reveal answer
It frames conflict as adversarial, intensifying tone and stakes. Combat imagery creates hostile, aggressive tone.
It frames conflict as adversarial, intensifying tone and stakes. Combat imagery creates hostile, aggressive tone.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the most defensible function of "The city swallowed him whole" in context?
What is the most defensible function of "The city swallowed him whole" in context?
Tap to reveal answer
It conveys dehumanizing overwhelm by portraying the city as predatory. Predatory image emphasizes urban alienation.
It conveys dehumanizing overwhelm by portraying the city as predatory. Predatory image emphasizes urban alienation.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the primary effect of a conceptual metaphor (e.g., ARGUMENT AS WAR)?
What is the primary effect of a conceptual metaphor (e.g., ARGUMENT AS WAR)?
Tap to reveal answer
It structures how readers think about an abstract idea through a framework. Shapes understanding by mapping one domain onto another.
It structures how readers think about an abstract idea through a framework. Shapes understanding by mapping one domain onto another.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the metaphorical vehicle in: "Her mind was a storm of questions."
Identify the metaphorical vehicle in: "Her mind was a storm of questions."
Tap to reveal answer
Vehicle: “storm”. The vehicle is what the tenor is compared to.
Vehicle: “storm”. The vehicle is what the tenor is compared to.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Choose the sentence that contains a metaphor: A) "He ran like the wind." B) "He was the wind."
Choose the sentence that contains a metaphor: A) "He ran like the wind." B) "He was the wind."
Tap to reveal answer
B. A uses "like" (simile); B creates direct equivalence.
B. A uses "like" (simile); B creates direct equivalence.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which option best identifies the mixed metaphor: A) "a sea of grief" B) "grief is a stone" C) "grief is a stone that drowned me"?
Which option best identifies the mixed metaphor: A) "a sea of grief" B) "grief is a stone" C) "grief is a stone that drowned me"?
Tap to reveal answer
C. Stones can't drown people—incompatible actions mixed.
C. Stones can't drown people—incompatible actions mixed.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the extended metaphor in: "The classroom was a zoo; the bell was the keeper’s whip."
Identify the extended metaphor in: "The classroom was a zoo; the bell was the keeper’s whip."
Tap to reveal answer
School is framed as a zoo across multiple linked images. Both sentences develop the central zoo comparison.
School is framed as a zoo across multiple linked images. Both sentences develop the central zoo comparison.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the tenor (target) in: "Her mind was a storm of questions."
Identify the tenor (target) in: "Her mind was a storm of questions."
Tap to reveal answer
Tenor: “her mind”. The tenor is the subject being described metaphorically.
Tenor: “her mind”. The tenor is the subject being described metaphorically.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the implied metaphor in: "He barked orders all morning."
Identify the implied metaphor in: "He barked orders all morning."
Tap to reveal answer
He is compared to a dog (barking) without being named. "Barked" implies dog-like behavior without stating it.
He is compared to a dog (barking) without being named. "Barked" implies dog-like behavior without stating it.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is an implied metaphor (as opposed to an explicit metaphor)?
What is an implied metaphor (as opposed to an explicit metaphor)?
Tap to reveal answer
A comparison suggested without naming both compared terms. The comparison relies on context clues rather than explicit statement.
A comparison suggested without naming both compared terms. The comparison relies on context clues rather than explicit statement.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What key feature distinguishes a metaphor from a simile?
What key feature distinguishes a metaphor from a simile?
Tap to reveal answer
Metaphor asserts identity; simile compares using like/as. This structural difference creates stronger identification.
Metaphor asserts identity; simile compares using like/as. This structural difference creates stronger identification.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which option best states the function of "Time is a thief" in one phrase?
Which option best states the function of "Time is a thief" in one phrase?
Tap to reveal answer
It emphasizes time’s power to take life and opportunities. The thief comparison emphasizes loss and theft.
It emphasizes time’s power to take life and opportunities. The thief comparison emphasizes loss and theft.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is a dead (conventional) metaphor?
What is a dead (conventional) metaphor?
Tap to reveal answer
A metaphor so common it no longer feels figurative. Overuse strips the comparison of its imaginative power.
A metaphor so common it no longer feels figurative. Overuse strips the comparison of its imaginative power.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →