metaphor, not refantazio

[poetaste]

Who: English Students
When: October 5th
Where: An abandoned classroom
What: Miss Cadence's Poetry Class!
Warnings: Annoying-ass bird teaches you things.

[The Sunday class of the fundraising event is a bit of light fare, but it does come with its lecture at its homework.

On the board, Miss Cadence has written WHY ARE EYES THE WINDOWS TO THE SOUL? and underlined it twice, beneath which is written a lesson in figurative language.

The first thing about this woman is that she's extremely annoying at the front of the classroom. She's sitting all over the desk, she paces around as she lectures, and she seems to have eyes in the back of her head, so good luck doing anything when she's turned around. The second thing is that she actually sounds quite knowledgable once she begins speaking. She has plentiful examples, explains the different types of figurative language clearly and concisely, and has an impassioned argument for how understanding these devices are the first step in analyzing language for what people don't explicitly say, allowing for stronger critical thinking.

Today, she'll walk students through three cases of figurative language:

1. metaphor, describing something directly as something else - "the heart is a lonely hunter"
2. simile, comparative descriptions - "the stars are like diamonds in the sky"
3. personalification, describing non-human things with human attributes - "the wind sighed."

Now it's your turn!]

Comments

CLASS ACTIVITY

[poetaste]

[There are no stations or steps to this activity, and the full assignment can be completed in one go...there's a reason for this.

To finish the class, students must submit:

1. Their own example of metaphor
2. Their own example of simile
3. Their own example of personification
4. A short poem (of their choice of verse or free) using one of the three OR a short-form explanation (max like 30 words) of the way one figurative language device is used in I wandered lonely as a Cloud.

There's no need to do this in steps because students should read their answers aloud to the rest of the class, creating the opportunity for mingling and, most importantly, CLASS WORKSHOP FEEDBACK.

Don't be shy! Share with the class, comment on others' work, accuse one another of plagiarism, collaborate... have fun with it.]

GET YOUR GRADE FROM MISS CADENCE/JUST BOTHER HER

[poetaste]

[Once the class is over, submit your work to the teacher and she'll evaluate how you did!

If you have any questions or just want to talk shop, she's also available, sitting limbs akimbo on the desk at the front of the classroom, which is super brave because of how rickety everything is.]

[rugpull]

[walks in

oh no i cant walk out during this lesson help]

Metaphor uh uh uh uh....

[you can do this just steal it]

Love is a battlefield.

[nailed it]

[poetaste]

...

[She bursts out into a cackle. There's no way Pat Benatar exists in her universe, but it's way funnier if she at least picks up on his deer in headlights response and can tell he's really going through it.]

Okay, good start. The words of someone who's suffered many heartaches!

[rugpull]

[ok ok keep stealing]

Words like violence break the silence?

[poetaste]

[Hm...more thievery. She crosses her legs with a flourish, leaning forward.]

Why'd you pick that one? What makes it a good example for you?

[There's actually something really clever about picking this one! Let's see if he gets it...]

[rugpull]

Mmm...its in a song...

Itsa good line. Cuz sometimes words hurt. When people are assholes.

[poetaste]

That they do. Words are powerful, you know? And for someone who uses their words like a poet, they're also a reflection of her soul.

But...you also started to personify words there, didn't you? [After a pause, she adds:] I'm still going to need an example from you, though.

[rugpull]

The sky cries for joy during the festival!

[poetaste]

Did you come up with that one by yourself, or is this another song?

[rugpull]

It's a common sentiment back home. We have a big festival for the rainy season. We need it t'refill the wells and get stuff growin'. Water is real important.

[presgarddihellis]

[Miskatonic Smith is a diligent student... and in fact... Klein was a graduate of linguistics and history, so... this is stuff he is fairly decent at.]

... everything does feel a little cliche, though.

[poetaste]

Cliches are good starter packs for learning. If someone recognizes it, they can apply it to something they already know. The advanced material is easier to look at once you've opened your eyes. "The heart is a lonely hunter" isn't just a metaphor because of its title, right? [The metaphor extends throughout much and more of the text...and they're not reading any books just yet.]

Unless you've got a problem with the Wordsworth? [Then she'll fight.]

[presgarddihellis]

I don't have much to say about Wordsworth at all.

I just mean... did you want someone to offer up something cliche they know or try for something original? There's, objectively, nothing original anymore, but one can still try.

But if that's not necessary, then I'd hate to put in the effort only to embarrass myself.

[poetaste]

Start where you are. All my students are at different places in their education. I think you know enough to come up with your own, don't you?

[Mocha got away with "love is a battlefield" because it created a teachable moment and got him to start thinking for himself, all right?]

[presgarddihellis]

[ha. fair enough.

seems to consider for a moment.]

One must traverse the labyrinth of deceit, manipulation, and lies in order to find the truth at the center.