Analogy

Analogy

DefinitionA comparison between two things, typically on the basis of their structure and for the purpose of explanation or clarification.

Example from Canterbury Tales

"I don't begrudge them their virginity;They're bread from the finest wheat, so be it said,And let us wives be known as barley bread." (143-145). (Unabridged).FunctionIn this example from The Wife of Bath's prologue in Canterbury Tales uses the analogy between a virgin and bread to explain that, in her opinion, a man values a virgin over a woman who has already been married before. In the time of Canterbury Tales, the finest wheat would be much more sought after than the regular barley bread that the peasants were accustomed to. The analogy makes it clear to the audience in more simple terms what the average medieval man thought, according to the Wife of Bath.Another Example"Even Frodo feared no danger yet, for they were still in the heart of the Shire." The Fellowship of the Ring (71). The phrase "heart of the Shire" refers to their location as centrally inside the Shire, as the heart is central in the body. The phrase is also an analogy regarding safety, as the heart is the most protected part of the body.Non-Original MnemonicCan be found here. Original MnemonicAn analogy is to writing, as paint is to a painting.