How do metaphors help bring a complex character to life?
Answers
Authors often use metaphors to describe and bring a complex character to life. A metaphor is a literary device that is used to compare two things or aspects. This comparison may be straightforward and clear or complex.
There are two main aspects of characterization- the outward appearance, which is visible and emotional and mental aspect which is not visible. It is easy to describe the outward appearance of a character in terms of physical aspects like height, built, complexion and so on. However it is very challenging to portray what is going on inside the character. This is where metaphors come into play.
Metaphors help the author explain one aspect of a character in terms of other aspects that the reader can relate to. Metaphors bring up images that are in turn responsible for bringing out the right emotion in the reader. The author can present the character as he wishes- selfish, kind, confused, impatient, docile, indecisive, impulsive, etc. Therefore a metaphor is an author’s tool to effectively portray the various aspects of a character.