#2 “See Through Words”

Erard describes a metaphor as being a room, with windows and doors showing a view of the outside reality. He describes the furniture as necessary additives to confusing metaphors to help give people somewhere to sit and direct their thoughts, but I disagree. I believe that the furniture is not something that is put in the room by the creator, but rather as something the interpreters bring or buy. The furniture is the newly inspired ideas that the metaphor has given them and the new discoveries they have found in themselves. I also see another aspect to the room being important such as photographs and wall decor. These representing the past experiences, ideas, and culture that an interpreter brings with them when deciphering a metaphor. This all affects how the metaphor resonates with a person.

Another valid point Erard makes is that a metaphor must survive and avoid traps in the culture that can disable the effect of it. It is easy to slip into the pattern of conforming into society and culture. After feeling societal pressures every day from a young age, starting in grade school and becoming even more common through adolescents and young adulthood it becomes second nature to conform. With metaphors you must try to break out of that habit and figure out how you connect with the meaning. It is important that a metaphor can make you think about something only personal to you such as an experience. In order for the metaphor to have an impact it must create thoughts within the reader or audience that normally do not show up on their own.

Work Cited

Erard, Michael. “How to Build a Metaphor to Change People’s Minds – Michael Erard: Aeon Essays.” Aeon, Aeon, 8 Sept. 2019, aeon.co/essays/how-to-build-a-metaphor-to-change-people-s-minds.

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