Cause & Effect - Whats a Metaphor - Essay Example

? Cause & effect: What’s a metaphor? In presenting different literary works, it can be seen that there are different tools that can be used by the writer in order to enhance the quality of the work. For instance, a metaphor is a style of writing that is used in different contexts by the writers. Play as well as movie writers also utilise this style in their literary work in order to make it more appealing to the targeted audiences. As such, this paper has been designed to explore the cause and effect of the use of metaphors in movies in some manner. The paper will start by explaining the meaning of metaphor in order to get a clear understanding of the whole concept. The main part of the paper will try to analyse the cause and effect of the use of metaphor especially in movies. A summary of the main points discussed will be presented at the end of the paper. As a point of departure, it is imperative to define the meaning of metaphor so as to gain a clear understanding of the concept. According to Richard Nordquist, “A metaphor is defined as a figure of speech in which an implied comparison is made between two unlike things that actually have something important in common.” Nordquist argues that the word metaphor itself is a metaphor since it comes from a Greek word that means to transfer. Meaning can be carried from one word to the other and this style of writing or use in movies is very effective in that it makes the work more effective in terms of conveying the message being portrayed by the writer or actor in terms of a movie. There are several causes and effects that can be associated with the use of metaphors in movies and other related literary works. It can also be seen that metaphors are used in our everyday lives and these can be used subconsciously or consciously. As stated by Nordquist, conventional metaphors are common such that we may not be quickly realised them when they are used in different contexts. In the movie, “The Pursuit of Happyness,” it can be seen that metaphors are used. This film is inspired by a true story and the main actor Chris Gardner likens the pursuit of happiness in life to a journey. This is a good example of the use of a metaphor in a movie. Indeed, happiness in life and a journey are two unlike things which however share a lot of things in common. The movie begins by taking the viewers down the memory lane of Chris Gardeners life as he struggled to pursue happiness in his life. Chris survived by selling bone density scanners for his upkeep and the family. However, the money raised from this particular business was barely enough for Chris, his wife and son Christopher. This resulted in the wife moving out and Chris had to do everything possible to make ends meet but with difficulties. However, as the movie progresses, it can be seen that with perseverance and determination, Chris finally achieved the happiness which he so much desired in his life. In the example given in the above mentioned movie, it can be seen that just like a journey, the pursuit of happiness can also take the same course. This is a metaphor which tries to compare two things that apparently are different. Apparently, a journey is described as a distance that is travelled over a period of time especially on land. A journey can be done by bus or train and the traveler moves from one point to the next when the journey is accomplished. Just like happiness in life, a person has to go through different stages in order to achieve it. This metaphor tries to imply that happiness is not something that does not come on a silver platter but one has to toil in order to achieve it. To a larger extent, different episodes in the example of a movie given above show that life is comprised of different stages that can lead to enjoyment of happiness by different people. However, it is not that easy to live a happy life without putting some effort in order to achieve what we may desire in life. This metaphor of comparing life as a journey in different pieces of literary work is very common since it is often used by many people in different scenarios. There are many causes why people use metaphors in their daily lives. it can also be seen that in movies, there are also different causes why metaphors are used by the writers as well as the actors involved in the production of the movie. For instance, the main cause of using metaphors is to enrich our writing (Nordquist ). In a movie, metaphors are used to enrich the quality of production as well as to appeal to the interests of the viewers who will have the opportunity to watch the movie. The writer or producer of the movie is forced to use different styles of language that are specifically meant to appeal to the interests of the viewers in many ways. A metaphor for example is thought provoking and it enhances the writer to fully express his ideas to the targeted audiences. Essentially, the other reason why metaphors are used is that they also improve the quality of work portrayed to the viewers of the movie. The other cause of using metaphors in movies is to compel the readers to think critically. People may view the same thing in different ways and this is very important given that they may be forced to perceive it in the other way. Movie producers are also aware that their products are often consumed by a lot of people from diverse backgrounds. As such, the producers of these movies try to use the best language that will appeal to the interests of the consumers of the products. In most case, movies that use ordinary language throughout are likely to impact negatively on the interests of the viewers. Therefore, producers try to make sure that they use language that will appeal to many people. The other cause is that people from different backgrounds often view the same thing from different perspectives. Metaphors in such cases can best describe the intentions of the producer of the film or movie. As such, the movie writer will be attempting to create common understanding among different people from various backgrounds. However, the producer may also be bent on ensuring that the viewers are left in suspense whereby they are forced to think beyond the ordinary scenarios they encounter in their everyday lives. This helps them to become part of the production. This cause is meant to attract the people who will watch the film to follow every episode so as to be in a position to try to figure out what happens to the characters being featured in the movie. It is quite easier for the viewer to follow the storyline of the movie if he becomes part of it. It can also help that individual to be attentive so as to be able to grasp every episode as well as to explain different words that are used in the movie. The major effect of using metaphors is that they act as a way of thinking among the human beings (Nordquist). For instance, in case of readers and viewers of movies, metaphors help to give people a fresh way of examining ideas. People often tend to have different ideas towards the same event or incident. In such a situation, the net effect of using metaphors is that people will tend to develop fresh and new ways of viewing different scenarios in real life situation. This will force people to respond to a certain incident that is portrayed through the use of metaphors. In some cases, the producer’s intention when using metaphors is to compel people to react in a positive or negative way towards a certain scenario. This will also help the people to think critically when they are confronted by a certain situation. In the scenario presented in the case of the movie entitled “The Pursuit of Happiness,” it can be seen that viewers of this particular movie are likely to develop new ways of thinking especially with regards to the way they perceive life in general. Some people may view it as ordinary while others are forced to view it as journey which is travelled over time. After watching this movie and understood the way various metaphors are used, the viewer is left with no doubt that he or she will be compelled to develop new ways of thinking towards something. More options can be used by people to try to finds answers or solutions to the problems that are metaphorically presented in a movie. This is quite different from everyday language which may appear to be plain and simple. The other effect of using metaphors is to sway the viewers’ opinions so that they can share the same sentiments and vision being tried to be portrayed by the producer of the movie. In the above movie, the author is trying to sway the views of the people so that they can also view life as something that is not static but moves from one point to the other. This is not just a common way of portraying facts for life but a clever way of trying to appeal to the people so that they can also be in a position to share the same opinions being held by the producer of the movie. The producer will be intending to convince the people so that they can also share his views towards something. It is also help people to try to figure out the meaning of different words that are used in the movies. The other effect is that the viewers are likely to view the world from a different perspective. Instead of believing in the commonly held ideas and beliefs towards something by people, metaphors can help the people to develop different world views of something that may appear ordinary to them. Some situations are quite common but the viewers of movies can have different world views. The use of metaphors also helps people to think out of the box so that they can generate other new ways of viewing the same scenario in their life. This can also help the viewers to interpret different scenarios being presented in the movie. In such a way, they try to figure out how the world around them is constructed. Many interpretations of the world around people exist and these help them to shape their perceptions of this world. New opinions and knowledge can be created through the effective use of metaphors. In our everyday lives, it can be seen that people tend to generate knowledge from what they consume or learn from other people. Movies in particular are designed to entertain, educate as well as to inform the viewers. Therefore, metaphorical language in movies is meant to ensure that people are in a position to generate new opinions that are different from the ones they have. They can consume these metaphors consciously or subconsciously. Such kind of language is very effective since it helps people to think critically when they face a new scenario in their lives. The use of metaphors is also meant to compel people not to be passive consumers of media products they may consume. Over and above, it can be observed that metaphors are generally described as type of language which tries to compare two unlike things. As discussed above, there are different causes and effects of using metaphors in movies since they are designed to appeal to the interests of the viewers. In most cases, metaphors play a role in appealing to the viewers to develop different worldviews of different scenarios being portrayed on the movie. This style of writing also help people to think in a critical manner rather than just being passive consumers of the products they consume from different movies. Above all, metaphorical language is interesting to listen to which is the essence of movies. People should be compelled to watch movies for the sake of deriving entertainment and this can be achieved through the use of different styles of language such as metaphors. Works cited Richard Nordquist. “What is a metaphor?” . ND, Web. 29 July 2013. Steven Conrad. “The pursuit of happiness.” Movie produced by Christopher Gardener. Read More