Metaphors for War

The use of metaphors are an important factor

with any piece of literature. Metaphors add color to

creative writings, also establishing depth. A story

without metaphors is lifeless, unable to compose

another way to view it. The term for a metaphor is a

figure of speech in which term is transferred to

something it does not literally apply to, this helps the

brain create a mental picture which the person might

easily understand what the character is feeling.

When a person finally makes the connection

between the metaphor and the idea, the story takes

a deeper meaning.

In the story by E.M. Remarque, 'All Quiet on the

Western Front', you see a vast quantity of

metaphors to connect the characters thoughts

together. While reading this book, you may decide

to ignore the metaphors, by not truly understanding

the meaning they portray. In this, you fail to grasp

the emotions that the author relates to you in the

tale of the soldiers of the book. If you take the time

to appreciate what the author writes by using

metaphors the story will be more enjoyable.

Understanding metaphors is not always easy,

many people get similes and metaphors mixed up.

A simile is nothing more then a baby metaphor.

You must be able to pick out a metaphor in the

story, no matter how minuscule. For even though it

may appear small, it might be a lead to another far

bigger metaphor. Through this, the intended

meaning will appear.

When Paul the main character, refers to the

front as a whirlpool, this is quite a large metaphor,

with a deeply rooted meaning. "To me the front is a

mysterious whirlpool. Though I am in still water far

away from its centre, I feel the whirl of the vortex

sucking me slowly, irresistibly, inescapably into

itself" (Ch.4,Pg55) This is saying that though he is

not even close to the front, he still feels the effects

from his position. It creates the mental picture that

Paul is a boat in a large