WHAT IS A METAPHOR?

A METAPHOR compares two usually dissimilar things without using “like” or “as”: My mind is a spider web students.cs.byu.edu

We can sometimes better describe how we feel about various things by comparing them to other things. When we say “he is an open book,” how are we using metaphor to convey meaning? He is easy to “read,” or figure out.

How can we use the art of metaphor to describe how we feel about the various characters in Arthur Miller’s The Crucible? Thtrgallery.usc.edu/archive

Let’s use what we know about each of the major characters in the play to compare them to various flowers and plants… From ourfunlife.typepad.com

Venus Fly-Trap Lures its prey in with its scent and appearance – then eats it alive. Abigail Williams is a

tulip starts with tightly closed petals Once it opens, it falls over easily is a delicate flower that does not hold up well Mary Warren is a

meadow of lavender Lavender is a purple flower prized because of its delicate scent and soothing properties pleasantvalleystudios.com Rebecca Nurse is a

rose John Proctor is a known for its strong fragrance, sturdiness, and classic beauty red roses are often used to represent passion stems are covered with thorns that cause pain

LILY The lily remains closed until ready to open – then lasts Its pollen is noticeable The Easter lily is often seen as a Christian symbol of rebirth ELIZABETH PROCTOR IS A

Prickly Pear Cactus Is hearty – a survivor in the desert Can “prick” and irritate, but is not seriously dangerous Its juice is drinkable; some claim it has medicinal benefits Giles Corey is a sugmug.com

Narcissus flower In Greek mythology, the proud and unfeeling Narcissus falls in love with his own reflection in Echo’s pond and wastes his days staring at himself. After he dies, all that remains is a white flower. Reverend Parris is a

sunflower always reaching for the light of the sun very tall “big-headed” Reverend Hale is a northwestkansas.hdnews.net/gallery.html

bougainvillea bush its flowers are much smaller than they appear; the leaves are not actually the flowers, but instead hide them is a thorned bush that often takes over its surroundings grows quickly in rainy weather, blooms in dry weather Judge Danforth is a sugmug.com

Now it’s YOUR turn to make magic. Create your OWN metaphors to describe these nine characters. Rather than using flowers, however, use one of the following categories: animals food fabric weather conditions