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GCSE English Literature · key term
A comparison which describes one thing as another, transferring associations between them.
Used by AQA, Edexcel, OCR and Eduqas
Paper 1, Paper 2
Describing one thing as another to suggest a resemblance or shared quality, without using “like” or “as”.
Revise: GuiltThe metaphor makes his thoughts poisonous, active and painful. “Full” suggests that distress occupies his whole mind. Yet the next line names Banquo and Fleance: the suffering here includes fear of rivals, not simply remorse for Duncan.
Link methods to meaning. Explain what a metaphor, simile, contrast or structural connection reveals, rather than simply naming it.
Use terminology accurately where it helps part (a). A clear explanation of a verb or metaphor is more useful than an impressive term used incorrectly.
Link each method to a specific effect: explain how ‘wombing’ makes the sea seem protective, rather than simply identifying a metaphor.
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A comparison that describes one thing as another, transferring associations between them.
A comparison that describes one thing as another, suggesting a connection between them.
A direct comparison that describes one thing as another, suggesting a connection between them.
A comparison that presents one thing as another, transferring associations between them. Victor’s description of himself as a damaged tree presents his suffering as a destructive natural strike.
A comparison that describes one thing as another, such as Watson calling Holmes a ‘calculating machine’.
A comparison that describes one thing as another. Jones’s web metaphor presents his investigation as a trap closing around a suspect.
A description of one thing as another, suggesting a comparison without using 'like' or 'as'.
A description of one thing as another, creating a connection between them rather than using 'like' or 'as'.
A comparison that describes something as something else, allowing ideas associated with one thing to shape our understanding of another.
An image that describes one thing as another. Sheila’s wall represents the separation her mother tries to create between the family and Eva.
A comparison that describes one thing as another; Sheila’s imagined wall represents social separation.
An image that describes one thing as another, suggesting a meaningful connection between them.
Language that presents one thing as another, suggesting a connection between them.
A comparison that presents one thing as another, encouraging the reader to understand it through the qualities of that other thing.
Paper 1, Paper 2
Describing something as if it were something else, creating a comparison without using ‘like’ or ‘as’.
Revise: Writer's methodsThe imperative “Come” makes her sound commanding, while “thick” imagines darkness as a physical covering. Her metaphor “the blanket of the dark” develops this protective function: she wants to conceal the murder from heaven and prevent intervention. Yet the need to summon protection can also suggest that her apparent confidence depends on shutting out judgement and remorse.
A comparison that describes one thing as another, rather than using 'like' or 'as'.
A direct comparison that describes one thing as another, transferring its associations to the thing being described.
A comparison that describes one thing as another, transferring its associations: calling Hero a ‘jewel’ suggests preciousness and value.
A comparison that describes one thing as another, transferring associations between them.
A comparison that describes one thing as another; Sheila’s imagined wall represents the separation created by class prejudice.
Paper 1, Paper 2
A comparison that describes one thing as another, transferring associations between them.
Revise: Chapters 1 to 3: Tollington, a lie and AnitaThe description develops into the metaphor of a “gap-toothed smile”. The buildings become the teeth of a face, making Tollington seem like a familiar, imperfect person. The smile lends warmth to the setting; the gaps prevent it from becoming a picture of polished grandeur.
A figurative comparison that describes one thing as another to suggest a shared quality, rather than making a literal statement.
A comparison that describes one thing as another, without using ‘like’ or ‘as’.
A description that presents one thing as another, transferring associations between them.
A comparison that describes one thing as another, such as Sheila describing social separation as a wall.
A comparison that describes one thing as another, suggesting shared qualities without using ‘like’ or ‘as’.
Component 1, Component 2
A description of something as something else, transferring associations between them.
Revise: Key quotationsA pilgrim travels to a holy place, so the religious metaphor presents his approach to Juliet as reverent. Yet he also uses it to seek a kiss: devotion and physical desire coexist. Juliet answers within his imagery rather than merely receiving his praise.
A comparison that describes one thing as another, transferring associations between them.
A comparison that describes one thing as another, such as Claudio describing Hero as a jewel.
A comparison that describes one thing as another, transferring associations between them; describing Hero as a jewel makes her seem precious but also potentially possessable.
A comparison that describes one thing as another, suggesting shared qualities.
A comparison that presents something as if it were something else.
A comparison that describes one thing as another, without using ‘like’ or ‘as’.
A comparison that describes something as something else, without using ‘like’ or ‘as’.
A comparison that describes something as something else, such as presenting Silas’s heart as a broken-open casket.
A non-literal comparison that describes one thing as another, such as treating neglected parental responsibility as an unpaid debt.
A comparison that presents one thing as another, transferring its associations to the thing being described.
A comparison that presents one thing as another, transferring its associations to create meaning.
A description that presents one thing as another, transferring qualities between them.
A comparison that describes one thing as another, transferring qualities between them.
A comparison that describes something through another thing, without using ‘like’ or ‘as’.
A comparison that describes something as something else, transferring qualities or associations between them.
A description of one thing as another, transferring associations between them without using ‘like’ or ‘as’.
A comparison that presents one thing as another, allowing qualities of the second thing to shape our understanding of the first.
A description that presents one thing as another, transferring qualities or associations between them.
A comparison that presents one thing as another, such as imagining the sea’s depths as a house’s basement.
A comparison that describes one thing as another, transferring qualities or associations between them.
A comparison that presents one thing as another, transferring its qualities to create meaning.
A comparison that describes something as something else, suggesting shared qualities without using “like” or “as”.
A comparison that presents one thing as another, suggesting a shared quality.
Describing something as something else to suggest a shared quality, without using ‘like’ or ‘as’.
A description that presents one thing as another, suggesting a connection between them.
A comparison that describes something as something else, inviting the reader to connect their qualities.
A comparison that presents one thing as another to suggest a shared quality.
A comparison that describes one thing as another, suggesting a shared quality rather than a literal identity.
A description that presents one thing as another, transferring associations between them, such as the ‘storm of blows’ in Chapter 4.
Language that represents one thing as another, transferring associations between them.
A comparison that describes one thing as another, suggesting a shared quality or meaning.
A comparison that describes something as something else, suggesting a shared quality.
A description of one thing as another, creating a comparison without ‘like’ or ‘as’.
A comparison that describes one thing as another, suggesting a shared quality without using ‘like’ or ‘as’.
A description that presents one thing as another, suggesting a connection between them.
A comparison that presents one thing as another, encouraging the reader to transfer qualities between them.
A comparison that presents one thing as another, suggesting a relationship between them rather than a literal identity.
A comparison that describes one thing as another, suggesting a connection between them.
A description that presents one thing as another, creating a connection between their qualities.
A comparison that describes one thing as another, transferring qualities between them.
A description that presents one thing as another, creating a connection between them without using ‘like’ or ‘as’.
Language that presents one thing as another, creating a connection between them rather than making a literal statement.
A comparison that presents one thing as another, suggesting a connection beyond literal meaning.
A comparison that describes one thing as another, rather than using ‘like’ or ‘as’. A ‘colored’ page metaphorically represents writing shaped by a Black person’s experience.
A comparison that describes one thing as another. In Prayer, ‘time and rhythm flatlining’ connects the experience of dying with the loss of movement and rhythm.
A comparison that describes one thing as another, shaping how it is understood.
A comparison that describes one thing as another, suggesting a shared quality.
A comparison that presents one thing as another, encouraging the audience to understand it through shared qualities.
A comparison that describes something as something else, suggesting a shared quality or relationship.
A description of one thing as another, creating a connection between their qualities or meanings.
A comparison describing one thing as another, encouraging readers to understand it through their shared qualities.
A comparison that presents something as something else, such as trust being described through images of light.
A comparison that presents one thing as another. Wells’s liquid imagery represents the fleeing population as a flood and society as something losing its solid form.
