A simile is comparative whereas a metaphor is non-literal.
On a single page:
"Like a hawk upon a lemming, there the invaders were."
"The courage spilled from him like water from a cupped hand flung open."
"Surf growled afar, as if the Bear Spirit spoke in anger."
If we remove similes and metaphors, then we are left with something like:
"There the invaders were."
"His courage ended."
"Surf sounded afar."
In Poul Anderson's text, we appreciate both the narrative and the language.
Kaor, Paul!
ReplyDeleteWithout the use of similes, metaphors, analogies, etc., a writer is all too likely to find his work becoming flat, plain, colorless, BORING to read. The monochromatic writing of Isaac Asimov's stories was one reason why I became so dissatisfied with them.
Ad astra! Sean