Analogies are powerful literary devices that are used to compare seemingly unrelated items to draw a conclusion. Through analogies, readers can gain a deeper understanding of the points being made and the concepts being discussed. In literature, analogies are used to add color and vividness to prose and to help readers make associations. This article will explore some of the most famous analogy examples that have been used to great effect, and why they work so well.
One of the most well-known analogies comes from William Shakespeare’s play, Romeo and Juliet. In this example, the playwright compares someone’s name to a rose, saying, “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose / By any other word would smell as sweet.” This analogy works because it helps readers understand that a person’s name does not determine who they are, and that they are still the same person regardless of the name they are given.
Another famous analogy can be found in Macbeth, where Shakespeare compares life to a shadow. He says, “Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player / That struts and frets his hour upon the stage / And then is heard no more. It is a tale / Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, / Signifying nothing.” This analogy works because it’s a vivid reminder of the brevity of life, and how quickly it can pass by without leaving much of a mark.
In the movie Forrest Gump, both the title character and his mother refer to life as a “box of chocolates.” In one of the most famous quotes from the movie, Forest says, “My mom always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” This analogy works because it allows readers to understand that life is unpredictable and full of surprises.
Henry Kissinger is known for many of his analogies. One of his most commonly quoted is this: “Withdrawal of U.S. troops will become like salted peanuts to the American public; the more U.S. troops come home, the more will be demanded. This could eventually result, in effect, in demands for unilateral withdrawal.” This analogy works because it helps readers understand the concept of incremental withdrawal, and how it can lead to greater demands.
In his novel Let Me Count the Ways, Peter De Vries compares life to a safe. He says, “If you want my final opinion on the mystery of life and all that, I can give it to you in a nutshell. The universe is like a safe to which there is a combination. But the combination is locked up in the safe.” This analogy works because it helps readers understand that the mystery of life is something people can’t fully understand.
Martin Luther King, Jr., used an analogy in his famous speech, “I Have a Dream.” He said, “This sweltering summer of the Negro’s legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality.” This analogy works because it compares the frustration of those facing prejudice to the heat of summer, and the relief of freedom to the cool autumn breeze.
The phrase “finding a needle in a haystack” is often used to describe tasks that seem impossible. This analogy works because most people can picture the task of digging through the hay to find a needle, and how it can be nearly impossible.
The phrase “rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic” is used to describe a futile effort. This analogy works because it reminds readers of the futility of the effort to save a doomed vessel.
These are just a few of the most famous analogy examples that have been used to great effect. By looking at these examples, readers can gain a better understanding of how this literary device works and how it can be used to make powerful statements.