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The art of the metaphor - Jane Hirshfield

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TEDEd Animation

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How do metaphors help us better understand the world? And, what makes a good metaphor? Explore these questions with writers like Langston Hughes and Carl Sandburg, who have mastered the art of bringing a scene or emotion to life.

The speaker says that a metaphor is almost never factually true, but still can be “right” or not. Her example is that “We know what it feels like to be a square wheel but not what it feels like to be a tired whale.” What do you think it means to say “I feel like a square wheel”? Can you describe that feeling in ordinary language, without using any images?

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TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Animator Ben Pearce
  • Educator Jane Hirshfield
  • Narrator Jane Hirshfield

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