Analogy vs. Metaphor
Main DifferenceShowing similarity between two different things upon their little resemblance is itself an art, and it is widely used in literature. That also raises readers interest and also enhances ones ability to see things differently. Figures of speech, metaphors and similes are the the literary devices serving the similar purpose. They can be easily differentiated as metaphors actually makes an implicit or hidden comparison, whereas simile makes an explicit one comparison with using connecting words 'as' and 'like'. On the other hand, analogy is the comparison between two different things, they are extensive or elaborated as they aim at explaining the idea behind the comparison. The literary devices like metaphors and similes draw an analogy.
Difference Between Analogy and Metaphor
Analogy vs. Metaphor
Analogy is the comparison of two quite different things using the literary devices like metaphors or similes, whereas Metaphor is a figure of speech that makes a comparison between two things that are quite different but share similarity at some point
Analogy vs. Metaphor
The literary devices like metaphors and similes draw an analogy.
Analogy vs. Metaphor
Analogy draws as extensive or elaborated comparison between two things as it aims at explaining the idea behind the comparison, whereas metaphor is relatively shorter as it doesn't explains things.
Analogynoun
A relationship of resemblance or equivalence between two situations, people, or objects, especially when used as a basis for explanation or extrapolation.
Metaphornoun
The use of a word or phrase to refer to something that it is not, invoking a direct similarity between the word or phrase used and the thing described (but in the case of English without the words like or as, which would imply a simile); the word or phrase used in this way; an implied comparison.
Analogynoun
an inference that if things agree in some respects they probably agree in others
Metaphornoun
The use of an everyday object or concept to represent an underlying facet of the computer and thus aid users in performing tasks.
desktop metaphor; wastebasket metaphorAnalogynoun
drawing a comparison in order to show a similarity in some respect;
the operation of a computer presents and interesting analogy to the working of the brainthe models show by analogy how matter is built upMetaphorverb
(intransitive) To use a metaphor.
Analogynoun
the religious belief that between creature and creator no similarity can be found so great but that the dissimilarity is always greater; language can point in the right direction but any analogy between God and humans will always be inadequate
Metaphorverb
(transitive) To describe by means of a metaphor.
Metaphornoun
a figure of speech in which an expression is used to refer to something that it does not literally denote in order to suggest a similarity
Comparison Chart
| Analogy | Metaphor |
| Analogy is the comparison of two quite different things using the literary devices like metaphors or similes. | Metaphor is a figure of speech that makes a comparison between two things that are quite different but share similarity at some point |
| Size | |
| Analogy draws as extensive or elaborated comparison between two things as it aims at explaining the idea behind the comparison. | Metaphor is relatively shorter as it doesn't explains things. |
What is Analogy?
It is the comparison of two quite different things using the literary devices like metaphors or similes. They are extensive or elaborated than those literary devices as aim at explaining the idea behind the comparison. With knowing that either metaphors or similes can be utilized to show analogy, one thing is sure that these sentence, phrase or verse showing analogy can have presence of the connecting words like ‘as’ and ‘like’ (similes) or it can have other connecting words. Moreover it can be implicit, hidden comparison, and can even show the explicit comparison.
Example: “They crowded very close about him, with their hands always on him in a careful, caressing grip, as though all the while feeling him to make sure he was there. It was like men handling a fish which is still alive and may jump back into the water.”
The context is taken from the George Orwell’s narrative essay ‘A Hanging’. In the lines above the writer has used simile ‘as’ to show the analogy between fish and prisoner. It is extensive and gives the whole sense, so it will preferably be recognized as an analogy having usage of literary device ‘simile’, rather than just be recognizing as the ‘simile’.
What is Metaphor?
It is a figure of speech that makes a comparison between two things that are quite different but share similarity at some point. It is not the simple or direct comparison like simile. It is an implicit or hidden comparison, when knowing things well can understand rightly.
Example: “He is the black sheep of the family” it is a metaphor that is sometime interpreted wrongly as in this one being compared to the black sheep might not be black or is not even a sheep, but the comparison between both of them is done as the black sheep is referred as the person who brings disgrace to the entire family.
