Lord of the Flies is an extended metaphor, yes , I would say so, although
more of a fable I suppose. There are metaphors embedded in it also, the
decaying corpse of the pilot with his parachute, Piggy, Ralph, all emblems,
symbols. A superb novel, for me almost poetic in its structure and
exposition. It's a nice question. Perhaps a symbol is more of a single
element in a composition written, painted, whatever but the symbol brings
with it connotations that are to large extent dependent on the culture
within which the symbol is employed, the symbol then becomes in a way larger
than itself. I shall never forget my sense of puzzlement when I was told
that Leda and the Swan was Yeats analogy for Mary, the dove descending and
the virgin birth. I do not know the Auden piece but I will 'google 'it and
see what I think.
If I said that the following is my notion of an extended metaphor would it
help:
Potting On
He's four years old, my grandson,
big for his age, yet needs a box
to reach and watch as I show him how to
first half-fill a pot with crumbs of peat
-rub it through our fingers
smell the centuries unlock-
take a young plant
-wee green hands beseech the light-
be careful of the roots-important , roots.-
they nourish and support-
seat the plant straight
more peat, press in, water.
His turn now.
Gently I correct his small hands
or nod approval as he proceeds.
We fill our tray with eighteen pots,
then to the thick warm air of the greenhouse
-wonder at the weeping glass-
discuss how long to keep them there,
I explain about late frosts,
the sun mockingly warms our backs;
consider position in the garden,
hardening off, feeding and, later, weeds.
He dashes off to chase an early butterfly.
Regards Arthur.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Colin dewar" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, February 21, 2003 5:35 PM
Subject: Re: newsub/market ( Colin)
> Arthur,
>
> I wonder if an extended metaphor is the same as what I mean by "symbolic
> monolgue". If so I should switch to the conventional term now that I know
> what it is. Is the poem, "In Praise of Limestone" by Auden an extended
> metaphor? Is "Lord of the Flies" by W Golding an extended metaphor? What
is
> the difference between a metaphor and a symbol? Is my poem on the turning
of
> the tides an example of a metaphor pushed and pulled to ill effect?
>
>
>
> Colin
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "arthur seeley" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Thursday, February 20, 2003 7:26 PM
> Subject: Re: newsub/market ( Colin)
>
>
> > The secret behind the extended metaphor, once chosen, is to stay
objective
> > and let it do its work. Push it and pull it the way you want to go and
> > people think they are being sermonised and turn off. IMHO. Arthur.
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Colin dewar" <[log in to unmask]>
> > To: <[log in to unmask]>
> > Sent: Wednesday, February 19, 2003 6:48 PM
> > Subject: Re: newsub/market ( Colin)
> >
> >
> > > I tried to make the account as objective as possible but human frailty
> > > always creeps in and can be turned to advantage, I hope.
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > >
> > > Colin
> > >
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "arthur seeley" <[log in to unmask]>
> > > To: <[log in to unmask]>
> > > Sent: Wednesday, February 19, 2003 8:30 AM
> > > Subject: Re: newsub/market ( Colin)
> > >
> > >
> > > > This is a beautifully drawn extended metaphor. Apart from an
evocative
> > > > picture of a time and place it casts a bright beam wider. Thanks
> Arthur
> > > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > > From: "Colin dewar" <[log in to unmask]>
> > > > To: <[log in to unmask]>
> > > > Sent: Monday, February 17, 2003 6:49 PM
> > > > Subject: newsub/market
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > > Market Place, Wuhan.
> > > > >
> > > > > I have only come for some new potatoes,
> > > > > though any excuse will do
> > > > > to stroll through the market,
> > > > > with its tapestry of flesh and earthy veg-
> > > > > stalls selling any food you could imagine,
> > > > > dog meat for instance or woodland fungi,
> > > > > all of it unprocessed.
> > > > > You get your hands dirty
> > > > > if you want chicken.
> > > > > Buying it is just the beginning.
> > > > > Then you must kill it and pluck it and gut it.
> > > > > Back home when you buy it,
> > > > > the work is half done.
> > > > >
> > > > > I walk slowly,
> > > > > careful where I place my feet,
> > > > > watch vendors hot-faced, yelling
> > > > > as if they must be paid in blood.
> > > > > They have worked long in all weather,
> > > > > their skin purple-brown.
> > > > > I don't want to worry them
> > > > > when I come to haggle for half an hour.
> > > > >
> > > > > I linger by fish
> > > > > that I don't know by name,
> > > > > guess at where they lived,
> > > > > if sediment or surface
> > > > > from shapes of mouth and fin.
> > > > > However they lived all
> > > > > will be eaten.
> > > > > For now they survive in basins,
> > > > > less water than fish.
> > > > >
> > > > > I bought one once, a toothless type
> > > > > with a head like a rock,
> > > > > almost broke my hand knocking it out,
> > > > > was told
> > > > > it would have died out of water.
> > > > > I recognise eels.
> > > > > Their heads are impaled on nails
> > > > > and their bodies stripped clean.
> > > > >
> > > > > Fifteen frogs flop together
> > > > > in a net bag, used for oranges at home,
> > > > > gather dust on sweating skin.
> > > > > Someone buys a bag and uses his shoe as a club
> > > > > to beat them to death.
> > > > > A pig squeals from a corner
> > > > > that I don't go into.
> > > > > Then a rat drops when a box is moved,
> > > > > and dodges among the tomatoes.
> > > > >
> > > > > I am distracted by a fight in the vegetables.
> > > > > Half an hour of bickering over prices
> > > > > has led to a fracas,
> > > > > a couple of women with such abuse
> > > > > I don't have to know their speech.
> > > > > A ragged leek whips the offending cheek
> > > > > and then potatoes are thrown in turn,
> > > > > the ones I had wanted to buy.
> > > > > I will shop here for another half year,
> > > > > go home to my own barbarities.
> > > > >
> > > > > Wuhan. P.R.C. 91/92
> > > > > _________________________________________________
> > > >
> >
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