key term - Metaphor

Definition

A figure of speech that compares two unlike things by stating that one thing is another, without using the words "like" or "as". It creates a vivid image in the reader's mind.

Related terms

Simile:

A figure of speech that compares two unlike things using the words "like" or "as". For example, "Her smile is as bright as the sun."

Symbolism:

The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities. For instance, a dove can symbolize peace.

Allegory: A story or poem in which characters and events represent abstract ideas or moral qualities. An example would be George Orwell's Animal Farm, where animals represent political figures and concepts.