A graphic of a voice bubble with the word ’metaphor’ in the middle of it

Source: Figures of Speech – Metaphor, Enokson, Flickr

After looking at “Where the Sidewalk Ends,” you should have a better idea of how to find metaphors and what they look like. Remember that a metaphor is just a comparison between two unlike objects or people. To review, click here to view a video that provides another brief explanation about metaphors.

Now that you have the new bit of instruction, let’s look at the following poem. “‘Hope’ is the thing with feathers” was written by the nineteenth-century poet Emily Dickinson. Read Dickinson’s poem, looking for the comparison she is making.

Source: Figures of Speech – Metaphor, Enokson, Flickr

“Hope” is the thing with feathers

By Emily Dickinson

“Hope” is the thing with feathers -
That perches in the soul -
And sings the tune without the words -
And never stops - at all -

And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard -
And sore must be the storm -
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm -

I’ve heard it in the chillest land -
And on the strangest Sea -
Yet – never - in Extremity,
It asked a crumb - of me.

Using your notes, copy and paste the sentence below. Fill in the blanks to identify the comparison Dickinson is making. When you are finished, check your understanding to see a possible response.

Dickinson is comparing ______________ to ______________.

Check Your Understanding

Sample Response:

Dickinson is comparing hope to a bird.

Next, read the poem again. As you read, click on the places in the poem where Dickenson shows that these two dissimilar things are alike. If you choose correctly, the words will highlight. You will see that Dickinson develops this metaphor throughout the first stanza. Hint: You should find five words or phrases to highlight.

A Scissor tailed Fly Catcher perched on a branch

Source: Tyrannus forficatus on branch, Gary Kramer, Wikimedia

“Hope” is the thing with feathers -
That perches in the soul -
And sings the tune without the words -
And never stops - at all -

And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard -
And sore must be the storm -
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm -

I’ve heard it in the chillest land -
And on the strangest Sea -
Yet - never - in Extremity,
It asked a crumb - of me.

Now, let’s take a look at the poem “Storm Ending” by American poet Jean Toomer.

A photograph of the sky after a thunderstorm. The sun's rays a poking through the clouds.

Source: HDR crepuscular rays, na-nx, Flickr

Storm Ending

By Jean Toomer

Thunder blossoms gorgeously above our heads,
Great, hollow, bell-like flowers,
Rumbling in the wind,
Stretching clappers to strike our ears . . .
Full-lipped flowers
Bitten by the sun
Bleeding rain
Dripping rain like golden honey—
And the sweet earth flying from the thunder.

Using your notes, copy and paste the sentence below. Fill in the blanks to identify the comparison Toomer is making. When you are finished, check your understanding to see a possible response.

Toomer is comparing __________ _____________ to ___________.

Check Your Understanding

Sample Response:

Toomer is comparing storm clouds to flowers.

Read the poem again and click on the words that indicate how Toomer shows that these two dissimilar things are alike. If you choose correctly, three words or phrases will highlight.

A photograph of rain clouds over a Texas prairie

Source: An Uncommon Occurrence: Rain Clouds in Texas,
Christopher Loewen, Flickr

The trick to finding metaphors is to look for the unlikely comparisons in the poem. Once you find them, you will discover that the poem has a richer meaning for you. Happy hunting!