Analogy is one of the literary devices in which there is a comparison between two different things. People do use analogies, either in writing or speaking, to describe one thing by making similarities with another thing. For instance, ‘all that glitters is not gold.’
The above example sentence is comparing fake attraction to the glitters. It means that everything that is shiny and attractive may not be valuable. It is not necessary that every shiny thing is a precious thing.
People who are clever enough can make best use of this device because in this method, the two things may be quite different from each other in nature and the user must provide a solid connection between them.
In return, the readers or the listeners should also be clever enough in order to get that connection between two compared things.
You might be thinking that if analogy is to compare things then; it must be called a simile or a metaphor. In fact, analogy is neither a simile nor a metaphor. Though analogy is a comparison but it is different from them.
An analogy is not a simile or a metaphor
Simile and metaphor are like a short comparison between two things. Unlike them, an analogy is used to compare two things in an extended manner. It compares by elaborating the characteristics of things to make an argument digestible.
Why use Analogy?
Analogies are known to be the most effective way to enhance mental effectiveness. People do use them in exams to check learners’ capabilities. They can behave like a communication tool in order to connect the speaker to listener.
In the same way, writers use analogies to connect themselves to their readers. Analogies can make writing rich with beautiful description of ideas.
It enhances the meaning of any literary work by making readers understand the connection between things. Writers may use analogies to tell their readers about the sensitivity of a topic.
For instance, William Shakespeare used analogies in many of his works. One of the examples is in ‘Romeo and Juliet’.
‘a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.’
The above example implies that if you change the name of anything, it does not change that thing’s real identity. It will remain the same. Names do not affect anything.
Other Examples of Analogy
• ‘This flea is you and I, and this. Our marriage bed, and marriage temple is.’ (John Donne)
• Citizen is to president as solar system is to galaxy.
• A relationship without trust is like a cell phone with no service. All you can do is play games.
• New Year’s Eve is like the death of a pet. You know it’s going to happen, but somehow you’re never really prepared for how truly awful it is. (John Oliver)
Check Out: The Difference Between Compared To and Compared With.
Types of Analogies
Analogies come in various forms, each serving a different purpose. Here are some common types:
- Part-to-Whole Analogy: This type compares a part of something to the whole it belongs to. For example, “Branch is to tree as finger is to hand,” highlighting the relationship between a component and its larger entity.
- Cause-and-Effect Analogy: This analogy explains how one thing leads to another. For instance, “Seed is to tree as spark is to fire,” showing how a small action can result in a larger outcome.
- Function Analogy: It compares objects based on their purpose or role. An example would be “Knife is to cutting as pen is to writing,” emphasizing the functional similarity between different tools.
- Opposite Analogy: This contrasts two things that are opposites. For example, “Hot is to cold as day is to night,” illustrating the relationship between contrasting pairs.
Each type of analogy helps in understanding relationships by drawing comparisons that make concepts easier to grasp.
What Did You Learn?
Analogy is the comparison between two things, mostly different from each other. Not only writers but speakers do use them in everyday speech. It is a good tool for mental effectiveness and writers use them to connect themselves with their readers by enhancing the meaning of their literary works.