What kind of metaphor is “trees in the wind”? [closed]What qualities should a good metaphor have?Is the following extended metaphor/group of metaphors too overwhelming?Is repeating the action/verb in a metaphor a sign that is a bad one?Metaphor or PersonificationHow do you make a vague metaphor more easy to understand?Help with extended metaphor in college essayHow to Write a Good MetaphorIs there such a thing as a “cinematographic metaphor” in novels?Is there a way to know if a metaphor is bad or not?Is using an 'empty' metaphor considered bad style?
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What kind of metaphor is “trees in the wind”? [closed]
What qualities should a good metaphor have?Is the following extended metaphor/group of metaphors too overwhelming?Is repeating the action/verb in a metaphor a sign that is a bad one?Metaphor or PersonificationHow do you make a vague metaphor more easy to understand?Help with extended metaphor in college essayHow to Write a Good MetaphorIs there such a thing as a “cinematographic metaphor” in novels?Is there a way to know if a metaphor is bad or not?Is using an 'empty' metaphor considered bad style?
What kind of metaphor is "trees in the wind"?
I saw God in the Forest
Teachin' Tai Chi
To the trees in the wind
Bowing to the sea
Excerpt from http://www.bensollee.com/panning-for-gold
What I find odd is that the reference is "trees in the wind" and not just a word and the referee is not obvious, because it doesn't seem to be comparing it to anything and the intended can be just "trees moving with the wind" instead of "tree in the wind" as if the trees are flying in the wind. What's the intended effect and what kind of metaphor is this if it indeed is a metaphor? I am talking about "trees in the wind" specifically and not "teachin' Tai Chi to the trees in the wind".
metaphor figures-of-speech
asked May 25 at 18:34
blackbirdblackbird
471312
closed as off-topic by Chris Sunami, JP Chapleau, Cyn, Galastel, linksassin May 29 at 7:06
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "The community has decided that questions about existing literary works, except in a writing-specific context, are off-topic. For more information, see this meta answer." – Chris Sunami, JP Chapleau, Cyn, Galastel, linksassin
add a comment |
What kind of metaphor is "trees in the wind"?
I saw God in the Forest
Teachin' Tai Chi
To the trees in the wind
Bowing to the sea
Excerpt from http://www.bensollee.com/panning-for-gold
What I find odd is that the reference is "trees in the wind" and not just a word and the referee is not obvious, because it doesn't seem to be comparing it to anything and the intended can be just "trees moving with the wind" instead of "tree in the wind" as if the trees are flying in the wind. What's the intended effect and what kind of metaphor is this if it indeed is a metaphor? I am talking about "trees in the wind" specifically and not "teachin' Tai Chi to the trees in the wind".
metaphor figures-of-speech
asked May 25 at 18:34
blackbirdblackbird
471312
closed as off-topic by Chris Sunami, JP Chapleau, Cyn, Galastel, linksassin May 29 at 7:06
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "The community has decided that questions about existing literary works, except in a writing-specific context, are off-topic. For more information, see this meta answer." – Chris Sunami, JP Chapleau, Cyn, Galastel, linksassin
I've added to my answer, after your edit.
– wetcircuit
May 25 at 19:07
Actually "Trees in the wind" is the only phrase that is not a metaphor in this poem. It's literally trees swaying in the wind.
– SF.
May 28 at 13:08
1
Hi Blackbird. This is not really a writing question as currently posed. It should probably be better asked on Literature SE instead (questions about existing literary works are not on topic here).
– Chris Sunami
May 28 at 19:57
add a comment |
What kind of metaphor is "trees in the wind"?
I saw God in the Forest
Teachin' Tai Chi
To the trees in the wind
Bowing to the sea
Excerpt from http://www.bensollee.com/panning-for-gold
What I find odd is that the reference is "trees in the wind" and not just a word and the referee is not obvious, because it doesn't seem to be comparing it to anything and the intended can be just "trees moving with the wind" instead of "tree in the wind" as if the trees are flying in the wind. What's the intended effect and what kind of metaphor is this if it indeed is a metaphor? I am talking about "trees in the wind" specifically and not "teachin' Tai Chi to the trees in the wind".
metaphor figures-of-speech
asked May 25 at 18:34
blackbirdblackbird
471312
What kind of metaphor is "trees in the wind"?
I saw God in the Forest
Teachin' Tai Chi
To the trees in the wind
Bowing to the sea
Excerpt from http://www.bensollee.com/panning-for-gold
What I find odd is that the reference is "trees in the wind" and not just a word and the referee is not obvious, because it doesn't seem to be comparing it to anything and the intended can be just "trees moving with the wind" instead of "tree in the wind" as if the trees are flying in the wind. What's the intended effect and what kind of metaphor is this if it indeed is a metaphor? I am talking about "trees in the wind" specifically and not "teachin' Tai Chi to the trees in the wind".
metaphor figures-of-speech
metaphor figures-of-speech
asked May 25 at 18:34
blackbirdblackbird
471312
asked May 25 at 18:34
blackbirdblackbird
471312
edited May 25 at 18:55
blackbird
asked May 25 at 18:34
blackbirdblackbird
471312
asked May 25 at 18:34
blackbirdblackbird
471312
asked May 25 at 18:34
blackbirdblackbird
471312
471312
closed as off-topic by Chris Sunami, JP Chapleau, Cyn, Galastel, linksassin May 29 at 7:06
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "The community has decided that questions about existing literary works, except in a writing-specific context, are off-topic. For more information, see this meta answer." – Chris Sunami, JP Chapleau, Cyn, Galastel, linksassin
closed as off-topic by Chris Sunami, JP Chapleau, Cyn, Galastel, linksassin May 29 at 7:06
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "The community has decided that questions about existing literary works, except in a writing-specific context, are off-topic. For more information, see this meta answer." – Chris Sunami, JP Chapleau, Cyn, Galastel, linksassin
I've added to my answer, after your edit.
– wetcircuit
May 25 at 19:07
Actually "Trees in the wind" is the only phrase that is not a metaphor in this poem. It's literally trees swaying in the wind.
– SF.
May 28 at 13:08
1
Hi Blackbird. This is not really a writing question as currently posed. It should probably be better asked on Literature SE instead (questions about existing literary works are not on topic here).
– Chris Sunami
May 28 at 19:57
add a comment |
I've added to my answer, after your edit.
– wetcircuit
May 25 at 19:07
Actually "Trees in the wind" is the only phrase that is not a metaphor in this poem. It's literally trees swaying in the wind.
– SF.
May 28 at 13:08
1
Hi Blackbird. This is not really a writing question as currently posed. It should probably be better asked on Literature SE instead (questions about existing literary works are not on topic here).
– Chris Sunami
May 28 at 19:57
I've added to my answer, after your edit.
– wetcircuit
May 25 at 19:07
I've added to my answer, after your edit.
– wetcircuit
May 25 at 19:07
Actually "Trees in the wind" is the only phrase that is not a metaphor in this poem. It's literally trees swaying in the wind.
– SF.
May 28 at 13:08
Actually "Trees in the wind" is the only phrase that is not a metaphor in this poem. It's literally trees swaying in the wind.
– SF.
May 28 at 13:08
1
1
Hi Blackbird. This is not really a writing question as currently posed. It should probably be better asked on Literature SE instead (questions about existing literary works are not on topic here).
– Chris Sunami
May 28 at 19:57
Hi Blackbird. This is not really a writing question as currently posed. It should probably be better asked on Literature SE instead (questions about existing literary works are not on topic here).
– Chris Sunami
May 28 at 19:57
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
It's Personification.
While it is a type of metaphor, this is called personification. The intent here is simply to describe the random movement of the tree branches with a sense of purpose. Although "God" is mentioned as the teacher, the poem is not describing something holy or religious, rather the slow, intentional martial arts motions of Tai Chi.
From the link:
Personification is not merely a decorative device, but serves the
purpose of giving deeper meanings to literary texts. It adds vividness
to expressions, as we always look at the world from a human
perspective. Writers and poets rely on personification to bring
inanimate things to life, so that their nature and actions are
understood in a better way. Because it is easier for us to relate to
something that is human, or which possesses human traits...
"Trees in the wind" specifically is not a metaphor, it's just a figure of speech or an idiom.
answered May 25 at 18:51
wetcircuitwetcircuit
17.1k23079
Does "in the wind" mean it's flying or it's wavering under the influence of the wind?
– blackbird
May 26 at 12:54
1
@blackbird, it's skipping an implied verb: "trees (blowing, bending, waving) in the wind…", like "a woman in leather" skips a verb "wearing", and "frog in a blender" skips a verb "spinning" – there is an action or activity that is implied. The idiom that would mean the trees are flying would probably be "trees (up) in the air..." or "trees in the sky".
– wetcircuit
May 26 at 14:16
Ah, ok, makes sense now.
– blackbird
May 26 at 14:26
add a comment |
More explicitly stated, the metaphor is that the trees move to and fro in the wind because God (using the wind) is teaching them Tai Chi.
The imagery is the trees of the forest moving in unison like we see a group of people in the park move in unison when being led in a Tai Chi class. God is the instructor leading the trees.
answered May 25 at 18:51
AmadeusAmadeus
63.8k781206
add a comment |
Actually you need to look at that phrase in the context of the whole poem. From God's repeated statement that He has forgotten where he put things it becomes clear that God has lost His people and forgotten who they are. Instead of to men, He is speaking to nature.
So the trees aren't a metaphor, but in fact they are just trees. They bow to the sea in the same way that men used to bow to God, but the trees just bow before the wind, without any meaning or intent.
You've posted a lot of answers, I'd recommend signing up for a full account to make it easier to track your reputation and badges. Currently, you're at risk of losing access to your account the next time you visit, and ending up with a new one.
– F1Krazy
May 28 at 12:51
@F1Krazy I'm not really interested in reputation. I'm just here for a few minutes because I'm bored. I'm leaving already.
– user39471
May 28 at 16:34
Awww. That is a shame. I do hope you change your mind!
– F1Krazy
May 28 at 17:11
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
It's Personification.
While it is a type of metaphor, this is called personification. The intent here is simply to describe the random movement of the tree branches with a sense of purpose. Although "God" is mentioned as the teacher, the poem is not describing something holy or religious, rather the slow, intentional martial arts motions of Tai Chi.
From the link:
Personification is not merely a decorative device, but serves the
purpose of giving deeper meanings to literary texts. It adds vividness
to expressions, as we always look at the world from a human
perspective. Writers and poets rely on personification to bring
inanimate things to life, so that their nature and actions are
understood in a better way. Because it is easier for us to relate to
something that is human, or which possesses human traits...
"Trees in the wind" specifically is not a metaphor, it's just a figure of speech or an idiom.
answered May 25 at 18:51
wetcircuitwetcircuit
17.1k23079
Does "in the wind" mean it's flying or it's wavering under the influence of the wind?
– blackbird
May 26 at 12:54
1
@blackbird, it's skipping an implied verb: "trees (blowing, bending, waving) in the wind…", like "a woman in leather" skips a verb "wearing", and "frog in a blender" skips a verb "spinning" – there is an action or activity that is implied. The idiom that would mean the trees are flying would probably be "trees (up) in the air..." or "trees in the sky".
– wetcircuit
May 26 at 14:16
Ah, ok, makes sense now.
– blackbird
May 26 at 14:26
add a comment |
It's Personification.
While it is a type of metaphor, this is called personification. The intent here is simply to describe the random movement of the tree branches with a sense of purpose. Although "God" is mentioned as the teacher, the poem is not describing something holy or religious, rather the slow, intentional martial arts motions of Tai Chi.
From the link:
Personification is not merely a decorative device, but serves the
purpose of giving deeper meanings to literary texts. It adds vividness
to expressions, as we always look at the world from a human
perspective. Writers and poets rely on personification to bring
inanimate things to life, so that their nature and actions are
understood in a better way. Because it is easier for us to relate to
something that is human, or which possesses human traits...
"Trees in the wind" specifically is not a metaphor, it's just a figure of speech or an idiom.
answered May 25 at 18:51
wetcircuitwetcircuit
17.1k23079
Does "in the wind" mean it's flying or it's wavering under the influence of the wind?
– blackbird
May 26 at 12:54
1
@blackbird, it's skipping an implied verb: "trees (blowing, bending, waving) in the wind…", like "a woman in leather" skips a verb "wearing", and "frog in a blender" skips a verb "spinning" – there is an action or activity that is implied. The idiom that would mean the trees are flying would probably be "trees (up) in the air..." or "trees in the sky".
– wetcircuit
May 26 at 14:16
Ah, ok, makes sense now.
– blackbird
May 26 at 14:26
add a comment |
It's Personification.
While it is a type of metaphor, this is called personification. The intent here is simply to describe the random movement of the tree branches with a sense of purpose. Although "God" is mentioned as the teacher, the poem is not describing something holy or religious, rather the slow, intentional martial arts motions of Tai Chi.
From the link:
Personification is not merely a decorative device, but serves the
purpose of giving deeper meanings to literary texts. It adds vividness
to expressions, as we always look at the world from a human
perspective. Writers and poets rely on personification to bring
inanimate things to life, so that their nature and actions are
understood in a better way. Because it is easier for us to relate to
something that is human, or which possesses human traits...
"Trees in the wind" specifically is not a metaphor, it's just a figure of speech or an idiom.
answered May 25 at 18:51
wetcircuitwetcircuit
17.1k23079
It's Personification.
While it is a type of metaphor, this is called personification. The intent here is simply to describe the random movement of the tree branches with a sense of purpose. Although "God" is mentioned as the teacher, the poem is not describing something holy or religious, rather the slow, intentional martial arts motions of Tai Chi.
From the link:
Personification is not merely a decorative device, but serves the
purpose of giving deeper meanings to literary texts. It adds vividness
to expressions, as we always look at the world from a human
perspective. Writers and poets rely on personification to bring
inanimate things to life, so that their nature and actions are
understood in a better way. Because it is easier for us to relate to
something that is human, or which possesses human traits...
"Trees in the wind" specifically is not a metaphor, it's just a figure of speech or an idiom.
answered May 25 at 18:51
wetcircuitwetcircuit
17.1k23079
edited May 25 at 19:06
answered May 25 at 18:51
wetcircuitwetcircuit
17.1k23079
answered May 25 at 18:51
wetcircuitwetcircuit
17.1k23079
answered May 25 at 18:51
wetcircuitwetcircuit
17.1k23079
17.1k23079
Does "in the wind" mean it's flying or it's wavering under the influence of the wind?
– blackbird
May 26 at 12:54
1
@blackbird, it's skipping an implied verb: "trees (blowing, bending, waving) in the wind…", like "a woman in leather" skips a verb "wearing", and "frog in a blender" skips a verb "spinning" – there is an action or activity that is implied. The idiom that would mean the trees are flying would probably be "trees (up) in the air..." or "trees in the sky".
– wetcircuit
May 26 at 14:16
Ah, ok, makes sense now.
– blackbird
May 26 at 14:26
add a comment |
Does "in the wind" mean it's flying or it's wavering under the influence of the wind?
– blackbird
May 26 at 12:54
1
@blackbird, it's skipping an implied verb: "trees (blowing, bending, waving) in the wind…", like "a woman in leather" skips a verb "wearing", and "frog in a blender" skips a verb "spinning" – there is an action or activity that is implied. The idiom that would mean the trees are flying would probably be "trees (up) in the air..." or "trees in the sky".
– wetcircuit
May 26 at 14:16
Ah, ok, makes sense now.
– blackbird
May 26 at 14:26
Does "in the wind" mean it's flying or it's wavering under the influence of the wind?
– blackbird
May 26 at 12:54
Does "in the wind" mean it's flying or it's wavering under the influence of the wind?
– blackbird
May 26 at 12:54
1
1
@blackbird, it's skipping an implied verb: "trees (blowing, bending, waving) in the wind…", like "a woman in leather" skips a verb "wearing", and "frog in a blender" skips a verb "spinning" – there is an action or activity that is implied. The idiom that would mean the trees are flying would probably be "trees (up) in the air..." or "trees in the sky".
– wetcircuit
May 26 at 14:16
@blackbird, it's skipping an implied verb: "trees (blowing, bending, waving) in the wind…", like "a woman in leather" skips a verb "wearing", and "frog in a blender" skips a verb "spinning" – there is an action or activity that is implied. The idiom that would mean the trees are flying would probably be "trees (up) in the air..." or "trees in the sky".
– wetcircuit
May 26 at 14:16
Ah, ok, makes sense now.
– blackbird
May 26 at 14:26
Ah, ok, makes sense now.
– blackbird
May 26 at 14:26
add a comment |
More explicitly stated, the metaphor is that the trees move to and fro in the wind because God (using the wind) is teaching them Tai Chi.
The imagery is the trees of the forest moving in unison like we see a group of people in the park move in unison when being led in a Tai Chi class. God is the instructor leading the trees.
answered May 25 at 18:51
AmadeusAmadeus
63.8k781206
add a comment |
More explicitly stated, the metaphor is that the trees move to and fro in the wind because God (using the wind) is teaching them Tai Chi.
The imagery is the trees of the forest moving in unison like we see a group of people in the park move in unison when being led in a Tai Chi class. God is the instructor leading the trees.
answered May 25 at 18:51
AmadeusAmadeus
63.8k781206
add a comment |
More explicitly stated, the metaphor is that the trees move to and fro in the wind because God (using the wind) is teaching them Tai Chi.
The imagery is the trees of the forest moving in unison like we see a group of people in the park move in unison when being led in a Tai Chi class. God is the instructor leading the trees.
answered May 25 at 18:51
AmadeusAmadeus
63.8k781206
More explicitly stated, the metaphor is that the trees move to and fro in the wind because God (using the wind) is teaching them Tai Chi.
The imagery is the trees of the forest moving in unison like we see a group of people in the park move in unison when being led in a Tai Chi class. God is the instructor leading the trees.
answered May 25 at 18:51
AmadeusAmadeus
63.8k781206
answered May 25 at 18:51
AmadeusAmadeus
63.8k781206
answered May 25 at 18:51
AmadeusAmadeus
63.8k781206
answered May 25 at 18:51
AmadeusAmadeus
63.8k781206
63.8k781206
add a comment |
add a comment |
Actually you need to look at that phrase in the context of the whole poem. From God's repeated statement that He has forgotten where he put things it becomes clear that God has lost His people and forgotten who they are. Instead of to men, He is speaking to nature.
So the trees aren't a metaphor, but in fact they are just trees. They bow to the sea in the same way that men used to bow to God, but the trees just bow before the wind, without any meaning or intent.
You've posted a lot of answers, I'd recommend signing up for a full account to make it easier to track your reputation and badges. Currently, you're at risk of losing access to your account the next time you visit, and ending up with a new one.
– F1Krazy
May 28 at 12:51
@F1Krazy I'm not really interested in reputation. I'm just here for a few minutes because I'm bored. I'm leaving already.
– user39471
May 28 at 16:34
Awww. That is a shame. I do hope you change your mind!
– F1Krazy
May 28 at 17:11
add a comment |
Actually you need to look at that phrase in the context of the whole poem. From God's repeated statement that He has forgotten where he put things it becomes clear that God has lost His people and forgotten who they are. Instead of to men, He is speaking to nature.
So the trees aren't a metaphor, but in fact they are just trees. They bow to the sea in the same way that men used to bow to God, but the trees just bow before the wind, without any meaning or intent.
You've posted a lot of answers, I'd recommend signing up for a full account to make it easier to track your reputation and badges. Currently, you're at risk of losing access to your account the next time you visit, and ending up with a new one.
– F1Krazy
May 28 at 12:51
@F1Krazy I'm not really interested in reputation. I'm just here for a few minutes because I'm bored. I'm leaving already.
– user39471
May 28 at 16:34
Awww. That is a shame. I do hope you change your mind!
– F1Krazy
May 28 at 17:11
add a comment |
Actually you need to look at that phrase in the context of the whole poem. From God's repeated statement that He has forgotten where he put things it becomes clear that God has lost His people and forgotten who they are. Instead of to men, He is speaking to nature.
So the trees aren't a metaphor, but in fact they are just trees. They bow to the sea in the same way that men used to bow to God, but the trees just bow before the wind, without any meaning or intent.
Actually you need to look at that phrase in the context of the whole poem. From God's repeated statement that He has forgotten where he put things it becomes clear that God has lost His people and forgotten who they are. Instead of to men, He is speaking to nature.
So the trees aren't a metaphor, but in fact they are just trees. They bow to the sea in the same way that men used to bow to God, but the trees just bow before the wind, without any meaning or intent.
answered May 28 at 12:44
user39471
You've posted a lot of answers, I'd recommend signing up for a full account to make it easier to track your reputation and badges. Currently, you're at risk of losing access to your account the next time you visit, and ending up with a new one.
– F1Krazy
May 28 at 12:51
@F1Krazy I'm not really interested in reputation. I'm just here for a few minutes because I'm bored. I'm leaving already.
– user39471
May 28 at 16:34
Awww. That is a shame. I do hope you change your mind!
– F1Krazy
May 28 at 17:11
add a comment |
You've posted a lot of answers, I'd recommend signing up for a full account to make it easier to track your reputation and badges. Currently, you're at risk of losing access to your account the next time you visit, and ending up with a new one.
– F1Krazy
May 28 at 12:51
@F1Krazy I'm not really interested in reputation. I'm just here for a few minutes because I'm bored. I'm leaving already.
– user39471
May 28 at 16:34
Awww. That is a shame. I do hope you change your mind!
– F1Krazy
May 28 at 17:11
You've posted a lot of answers, I'd recommend signing up for a full account to make it easier to track your reputation and badges. Currently, you're at risk of losing access to your account the next time you visit, and ending up with a new one.
– F1Krazy
May 28 at 12:51
You've posted a lot of answers, I'd recommend signing up for a full account to make it easier to track your reputation and badges. Currently, you're at risk of losing access to your account the next time you visit, and ending up with a new one.
– F1Krazy
May 28 at 12:51
@F1Krazy I'm not really interested in reputation. I'm just here for a few minutes because I'm bored. I'm leaving already.
– user39471
May 28 at 16:34
@F1Krazy I'm not really interested in reputation. I'm just here for a few minutes because I'm bored. I'm leaving already.
– user39471
May 28 at 16:34
Awww. That is a shame. I do hope you change your mind!
– F1Krazy
May 28 at 17:11
Awww. That is a shame. I do hope you change your mind!
– F1Krazy
May 28 at 17:11
add a comment |
I've added to my answer, after your edit.
– wetcircuit
May 25 at 19:07
Actually "Trees in the wind" is the only phrase that is not a metaphor in this poem. It's literally trees swaying in the wind.
– SF.
May 28 at 13:08
1
Hi Blackbird. This is not really a writing question as currently posed. It should probably be better asked on Literature SE instead (questions about existing literary works are not on topic here).
– Chris Sunami
May 28 at 19:57