Thursday, August 05, 2010

Language 101: Analogy

Analogy: Drawing a comparison in order to show a similarity in some respect. Similarity in some respects between things that are otherwise dissimilar.

The Ball Bounces uses analogy frequently. Like parables, the key to absorbing an analogy is to try to see the point being made, and not expect a perfect fit of all the parts.

It's like a person trying to use mathematical equations to figure out a poem.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

1) Analogies, even the best of them are, NEVER EVER proof of anything.

2) That an analogy can be made, does not make it a good one. See this list of bad analogies (or see some of your posts below).

3) Even good analogies are never perfect, and inevitably turn bad if you push them too far.

Anonymous said...

And no, what you're doing is like trying to suggest that a poem is an example of a mathematical equation.

"... nothing intellectually compelling or challenging.. bald assertions coupled to superstition... woefully pathetic"