What is an analogy?

[zainrizvi]

I get very confused about the differences between an analogy, metaphor and simile.

"reading fiction is like watching a sitcom; it's just wasted time"

Is that an analogy because first there is the simile part(like watching a sitcom), but then it also EXTENDS out and implies a similarity shared by the two??

"reading fiction is a sitcom which we watch. it's just wasted time"

this time its a metaphor - but is it still an analogy?

[noah]

Fun question!

Basically, a metaphor says that one thing is another:

My wife is a lioness.

A simile uses "like."

My wife is like a lioness.

And, an analogy establishes a parallel situation.

My wife will protect our house to the death. Similarly, lionesses will do the same.

So, I agree, with an analogy, we want to see more than just two entities equated. We expect that the reasoning is somehow parallel.

I hope that helps - if not, let's keep chatting...

[zainrizvi]

Fun question!

Basically, a metaphor says that one thing is another:

My wife is a lioness.

A simile uses "like."

My wife is like a lioness.

And, an analogy establishes a parallel situation.

My wife will protect our house to the death. Similarly, lionesses will do the same.

So, I agree, with an analogy, we want to see more than just two entities equated. We expect that the reasoning is somehow parallel.

I hope that helps - if not, let's keep chatting...

Okay there is this hint of parallel reasoning. Can you expand a bit more on your explanation? I think I'm getting it though.. as long as there is some sort of parallel reasoning(i.e X is to Y, as A is to B) - then it is an analogy. Do all analogies follow this X to Y, A to B framework?

Thanks so much!