Problem:
The task is to identify how many metaphors are present in the poem
"The Metaphor Family" by Lilli Pluta.
Solution:
#### Step 1: Understand what a metaphor is
A
metaphor is a figure of speech that directly compares two unlike things, often for descriptive or expressive purposes. Unlike a simile, which uses "like" or "as" to make the comparison, a metaphor asserts that one thing *is* another.
#### Step 2: Analyze the poem line by line
We will examine each line of the poem to identify where metaphors are used.
1.
"My brother is a dragon."
- This is a metaphor because it directly states that the brother *is* a dragon, comparing his characteristics (possibly his behavior or personality) to those of a dragon.
2.
"My mom’s a teddy bear."
- This is a metaphor because it directly states that the mom *is* a teddy bear, suggesting her soft, nurturing, or comforting nature.
3.
"I am a shaggy sheepdog with a ton of tangled hair."
- This is a metaphor because it directly states that the speaker *is* a shaggy sheepdog, comparing their appearance (tangled hair) to that of a sheepdog.
4.
"My father is a monkey."
- This is a metaphor because it directly states that the father *is* a monkey, possibly alluding to playful or mischievous behavior.
5.
"He likes to make us laugh, especially my sister, who is a tall giraffe."
- The phrase "my sister, who is a tall giraffe" is a metaphor because it directly states that the sister *is* a tall giraffe, emphasizing her height.
6.
"We are a busy family with many things to do."
- This is not a metaphor. It is a straightforward statement about the family's activity level.
7.
"Our home is always happy, but sometimes it’s a zoo."
- The phrase "it’s a zoo" is a metaphor because it directly states that the home *is* a zoo, suggesting chaos or liveliness.
#### Step 3: Count the metaphors
From the analysis above, the metaphors identified are:
1. "My brother is a dragon."
2. "My mom’s a teddy bear."
3. "I am a shaggy sheepdog with a ton of tangled hair."
4. "My father is a monkey."
5. "my sister, who is a tall giraffe."
6. "it’s a zoo."
There are
6 metaphors in total.
Final Answer:
$$
\boxed{6}
$$
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of figurative language in poems worksheet.
