Land of Oz Workshops Blog: Understanding Metaphors

Land of Oz Workshops Blog: Understanding Metaphors: Metaphor is a symbolic language which arises out of an interweaving of imagery, implication, association, perception, and memory. Examples ...

Understanding Metaphors

Metaphor is a symbolic language which arises out of an interweaving of imagery, implication, association, perception, and memory. Examples of metaphors are parables, holy writings, and allegory of literature, poetry, fairy tales, films, plays, photographs, stories, dreams, and the symbolism of nature.

The natural language of the unconscious is metaphorical and the imagery inherent in metaphor visits us in our dreams night after night. Dreaming of driving a car faster and faster might be a message from our deeper self warning us about our high blood pressure or manic behavior.  Being a passenger in the car while someone else drives might indicate our need to take control over the direction of our own life.  Einstein said that a dream he had as a child wherein he was sliding down a snowy mountain on a sled at such high speed that the stars were spinning in the opposite direction of their natural orbit, set the tone for his research and development of his theory of relativity. He said that his life work in physics was a meditation on that dream.

In order to better understand the metaphorical language and possible meanings of a dream, it is a good idea and a fun exercise to play with the imagery. Write down the basics of the dream and all the images that you remember including how you felt during the dream and discuss it with a friend or just analyze the words and imagery yourself and what they could mean within the context of your current life and future aspirations.

Fairy tales are another excellent example of metaphor. L. Frank Baum’s Wizard of Oz was written to help children come to understand that they can maneuver successfully through any hardship in life. Baum did not like Alice in Wonderland and felt that children did not gain any self-confidence from the metaphor s in that story. Baum’s protagonist, Dorothy, is suddenly transported to an unfamiliar place and befriends four interesting characters along the way who assist her in achieving her goal: Glinda the good witch who gives Dorothy the ruby red shoes to protect her and guide her on her journey on the yellow brick road, Scarecrow who wants a brain to build his confidence, Tin Woodman who wants a heart so he can love again, and the Cowardly Lion who wants courage. The Wizard of Oz has been viewed by over 2 billion people world -wide and is regarded as the most popular family film of all time. Why? People of all ages can relate to the metaphorical nature of the story, the needs and goals of the characters, and the charming and entertaining way the entire story unfolds.

Take note of the books, films, dreams, day dreams, stories, songs, and plays you find yourself drawn to and aroused by and you will discover how the metaphors in these stir up the metaphors in you. Look upon metaphor as simply an inner figurative language that we all have inside of us that inspires us to better understand who we are, what we want, and where we want to go.