Extended Metaphor Poem Assignment
A definition
An extended metaphor is a “metaphor introduced and then further developed throughout all or part of a literary work, especially a poem.” It is different from a metaphor in that the image/comparison that is used is repeated and elaborated upon throughout the text.
An Example
Langston Hughes’ poem “Mother to Son” is an example an extended metaphor. Write a paragraph below identifying the extended metaphor and describing how it is developed throughout the poem.
Mother to Son
By Langston Hughes
Well, son, I'll tell you:
Life for me ain't been no crystal stair.
It's had tacks in it,
And splinters,
And boards torn up,
And places with no carpet on the floor --
Bare.
But all the time
I'se been a-climbin' on,
And reachin' landin's,
And turnin' corners,
And sometimes goin' in the dark
Where there ain't been no light.
So boy, don't you turn back.
Don't you set down on the steps
'Cause you finds it's kinder hard.
Don't you fall now --
For I'se still goin', honey,
I'se still climbin',
And life for me ain't been no crystal stair.
Life is like …
Complete the sentence “Life is like …” and use this as a basis to write your own extended metaphor poem. Follow these steps:
1. Complete the sentence with a concrete noun (e.g., Highway 401, etc.).
2. Make a list of features that describe this noun (e.g., speed, break downs, overpasses, on/off ramps, driving slowly, speed limit, car pooling, etc.).
3. Use your list to make connections between “life” and your noun (e.g., at times the road ahead is clear and there’s no other car in the way, so you can drive in the fast lane; sometimes your vehicle breaks down and you have to pull over to fix the problem or have someone come to tow you out of trouble).
4. Now put these ideas together as a poem:
- Be critical, editorial and deliberate in how you arrange and rework lines to make a poem that is intentional about its diction, rhyme and rhythm, imagery, form and tone.
- Work towards SOPHISTICATION and away from SIMPLICITY.
5. Give your poem an appropriate, creative title.
6. Attach this sheet with your submitted poem.
Assessment
Your poem will be assessed according to the following:
Criteria / Remedial(0-2.4) / Level 1
(2.5-2.9) / Level 2
(3-3.4) / Level 3
(3.5-3.9) / Level 4
(4-5)
The success of the metaphor as an “extendable” metaphor. / Little to no success / Limited success / Some success / Considerable success / A high degree of success
The extent to which the metaphor is developed throughout the poem. / Little to no development / Limited development / Some development / Considerable development / A high degree of development
The absence of other metaphors that would complicate the intended imagery. / Many additional, distracting/ conflicting metaphors / Several distracting/ conflicting metaphors / A limited number of distracting/ conflicting metaphors / One other distracting/ conflicting metaphor / No distracting/ conflicting metaphors
Total / ____/15
Additional Comments (Teacher Use):
ENG3UW – Unit 2: Poetry / Extended Metaphor Poem Assignment