In Response to Avery 2/29/2012

I found Avery’s post regarding the possible benefits of extended metaphors to be particularly intriguing. Mainly, this is due to one benefit that Avery identified, which is metaphors ability to “isolate the single factor” of a concept that someone must analyze. I would agree with this because I think metaphors encapsulate the ability to focus the reader on what is important regarding a concept. However, I am wondering whether an extended metaphor is required to achieve this.

Avery stated that, “a concept may be difficult to analyze without dragging in other related, though irrelevant, factors”, and I agree that this is certainly a possible occurrence. However, I am wondering whether it would be possible to avoid these irrelevant factors without using metaphorical language.

The final statement I found interesting was the idea that there are certain concepts, which, because of their complexity, can only be understood by most people with the use of metaphor. Now, testing this claim a priori, I certainly agree; I find that metaphor is particularly effective in ameliorating the understanding of normally complicating claims. But, when thinking of examples of this, I am having trouble. Accordingly I question whether this is something that actually occurs, and even if it does, I question how likely an occurrence it is.