What is a Tenor and Vehicle in Metaphor? Examples from British Literature

📚 What are Tenor and Vehicle in Metaphor?

A metaphor is a figure of speech that directly compares two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as'. Understanding the components of a metaphor can enhance your literary analysis skills. The key components are the tenor and the vehicle.

• 🔍 Tenor: The subject to which metaphorical attributes are ascribed. Think of it as the underlying idea or the thing being represented.
• 💡 Vehicle: The object whose attributes are borrowed. This is the image or concept that carries the meaning and helps illuminate the tenor.
• 📝 Example: In the metaphor 'Life is a stage,' 'life' is the tenor and 'stage' is the vehicle. We use the characteristics of a stage (performance, roles, acts) to understand aspects of life.

Quick Study Guide

• 🎭 Metaphor Basics: A direct comparison of two unlike things.
• 🎯 Tenor: The subject being described in a metaphor.
• 🚗 Vehicle: The object that lends its attributes to the tenor.
• 🇬🇧 British Literature: Rich source of metaphors, from Shakespeare to contemporary authors.
• 🔑 Analyzing Metaphors: Identify the tenor (subject) and the vehicle (image used) to understand the comparison.

Practice Quiz

1. Which of the following BEST describes the 'tenor' in a metaphor?
   1. The object doing the describing
   2. The underlying subject being described
   3. The comparison word (like or as)
   4. The overall meaning of the sentence
2. In Shakespeare's line, 'All the world's a stage,' what is the tenor?
   1. The actors
   2. The play
   3. The world
   4. The stage
3. What role does the 'vehicle' play in a metaphor?
   1. It identifies the topic
   2. It provides attributes that describe the subject
   3. It introduces the comparison
   4. It explains the literal meaning
4. In the metaphor 'Her smile was sunshine,' what is the vehicle?
   1. Her smile
   2. Happiness
   3. Sunshine
   4. Warmth
5. Which of these is the MOST accurate relationship between tenor and vehicle?
   1. They are synonyms
   2. They are opposites
   3. The vehicle describes the tenor
   4. The tenor describes the vehicle
6. Consider the metaphor: 'He is a lion in battle.' What characteristics of 'lion' are being attributed to 'he'?
   1. Laziness and pride
   2. Strength and courage
   3. Cunning and sneakiness
   4. Intelligence and wisdom
7. In poetry, what is the primary purpose of using metaphors with effective tenors and vehicles?
   1. To confuse the reader
   2. To create vivid imagery and deeper understanding
   3. To simplify complex ideas
   4. To provide historical context