The art of the metaphor - Jane Hirshfield

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How do metaphors help us better understand the world? And, what makes a good metaphor? Explore these questions with writers like Langston Hughes and Carl Sandburg, who have mastered the art of bringing a scene or emotion to life.
Lesson by Jane Hirshfield, animation by Ben Pearce

[@TheLaughingOut]

I love how the speaker uses metaphors to explain what metaphors are.

[@Bhuvan_MS]

9 years and 99 likes lol

[@adamnoe7733]

It's recursive baby. Makes me wonder where the meaning starts.

[@jijinxx]

English teachers uses English to teach English

[@gonzalot.605]

It really shows how powerful metaphors can be.

[@sebastiaan.6493]

how mataphoric

[@MusingOverTea]

This video makes me realize that poetry isn't pointless. This video has taught me more about poetry than any teacher. Thank you.

[@aminadiop1772]

Why does this make me feel sad?

[@AnandVenigalla]

Because the voice and animation have something sad about 'em

[@shivandana]

It made me sad as well, its her voice... Not really suitable

[@kamanashisroy]

Because sad people are prone to think about life in dubious/extreme/deep/metaphoric way. And the poem and story telling is like making the people more attentive in a sad/fearful way(at least in old days).

[@wsk9734]

Perhaps more sentimental than truly morose?

[@pm0913]

Me. Lmao I'm depressing I guess wow

[@manic_design7301]

I'm confused as a homeless man on house arrest.

[@pinchme6797]

+Manic_design i see what you did there, lol

[@SuperDantey]

+PinchMe haha got me laffing on this one cleaver LOL

[@rosaliadiaz7073]

Manic_design 😂😂😂

[@jjsmith706]

Clearly, since that's a simile and not a metaphor.

[@Der.Geschichtenerzahler]

Believe me or not in the city of Sao Paulo a homeless man was sentenced to house arrest

[@sharkbaitblu]

I utterly enjoyed this. Beautifully written, animated and spoken. So touching and delicate yet so informative and thought provoking. Well done.

[@kamileishon]

hear hear!

[@911ambulancegirl]

There is actually a historical context behind the phrase "It's raining cats and dogs" The first explanation is that when roofs were thatched domestic animals sought shelter there, and when it rained hard enough they would slip and fall, or abandon that shelter to find better shelter, and so it would quite literally "rain" cats and dogs. Another explanation is that when it rained hard enough for there to be water running in the streets it would wash the bodies of animals that had died down the streets to the rivers and so it looked like it was "raining" cats and dogs. I believe there are others, but I'll leave it at that.

[@96navya]

+911ambulancegirl A ball of sunshine that quote is :p

[@911ambulancegirl]

Nova starr no doubt!!!

[@marianacaplan711]

+911ambulancegirl yeah, just like how "Sleep tight" is referring to when in colonial times, the beds where held up by ropes and if the ropes got too loose they would have to get up and tighten them to keep the bed steady.

[@911ambulancegirl]

Nova starr You know what I have found? Some people don't appreciate this historical stuff as much as I do... Like the other day, at a wedding... The bride. She was showing me her bouquet, and I told her that the historical context of brides carrying flowers was because women in those days didn't take baths very often, and so to hide the stench, they would carry flowers, hoping their new husbands weren't put off by the smell. She threw the flowers (BEFORE the wedding, and RIGHT AT ME so I got to catch them!!!) and walked away. I didn't get to tell her about the historical context of flowers at funerals, which was what I was about to go into... Her brother had just died a few days before... Busy girl! SMH... I just don't get people who don't like history.

[@96navya]

911ambulancegirl lol, you're now my fav person!! ikr.. the history is more interesting than the actual quote and it just shows the sheep mentality of us humans who go on with the 'traditions'.

[@aragoth95]

"By making a handle, you can make a world." Beautiful.

[@jarige4489]

Such a great quote, simply beautiful.

[@owenivor]

Being with you is a road that's blocked for good. (metaphor) Being with you is like a road that's blocked for good. (simile)

[@bennyportilla3452]

Sweet!

[@newmankind]

being with you sucks (reality)

[@avery7964]

Norayr Gasparyan bruh 😂

[@rameenali3252]

Excellent

[@RinRinsMiilkTea]

Out of all the learning and videos and searches I've done, this is the only thing that has helped me lmaoo

[@Lee4Gitr]

I love how TED has evolved. What was once a long explanation has now been reduced without loss to a consistent representation of ideas through the use of art. .

[@chelbe06]

This was so beautifully done, between the animation and the lovely gentle narration, I really enjoyed this lesson on metaphors!

[@BJ-fj6jw]

You'll probably not find this comment, but I still wanted to thank you for this excellent bird's eye view of "Metaphor". Love the ending carry away point: paraphrased....metaphor is a door handle opening the door of a new world.... Such concise, informative and memorable points that I'm sure took time to put together for us. Many light bulbs flicked on. Many thanks to you.

[@seredahawke3207]

I would like to have an actual pair of dream shoes, they could come in handy for brainstorming.

[@N0Numberz]

Sereda Hawke Would you want to ruin a good pair of shoes in a brainstorm?

[@jamessmith6909]

still, a good brainstorm can help wash away the strains of a day

[@1ucasvb]

After all these years, this is still one of my favorite videos.

[@hanbanan2251]

Same here!

[@46huckfinn]

This is one of the best explanations of metaphors that I've seen.

[@danlightened]

Her voice sounds like just a voice that guides you in the beginning of a dystopian futuristic sci fi game.

[@suwinkhamchaiwong8382]

Ninad Sethi xD

[@eddy-ea]

I love you guys. i basically teach a summer class and no other thing could teach the "art" of metaphor like this video. explaining it in a deep way and braking it down, its so powerful. i wish i could contribute to what Ted Ed does thank you so much

[@lindyinggs6923]

this taught me a lot about metaphors. The animation was beautifully done and very well written

[@KimRosen13]

What a gift! Watch this delicious lesson on metaphor (supposedly for kids!!) and learn an ocean-worth about listening to and writing poems. What fun! What brilliance. Jane Hirshfield is a true treasure. I've been reading not only her poems but her words on poems and I'm bowing in gratitude.

[@chaoswebz]

The narrator of this should do ASMR... almost put me to sleep.

[@aishanaeem6582]

they probably almost put you to sleep because it's boaring af

[@joecook5689]

What is ASMR?

[@michellewest6929]

@@joecook5689 Look it up on YT, it’s hard to explain in words. Basically sounds that are soothing to the ear and put you to sleep. Whispers for example.

[@shakesmctremens178]

Wow, best TedEd yet. KZbin needs more writing this good.

[@jyotishreeenayak]

There's a paradox to metaphors. Wow. Learnt so much about metaphors through metaphors.

[@1ucasvb]

Everything about this was absolutely beautiful and enlightening. Amazing animation too!

[@ASHLEY-ur6tc]

among those TedEd vids I've watched, this one's my fave so far.

[@the_elder_sibling]

"Painting is a poetry which is seen rather than felt and poetry is a painting which is felt rather than seen" Leonardo da vinci

[@rosalindjacobs4981]

I love it and will definitely use this in my literature class. Thanks

[@officiallycool1467]

after hearing this lesson, im inspired to write and to learn more from Jane Hirschfield. I bet she has a lot of amazing works.

[@yokeimon]

Epistemology... These little skits are quite powerful and informative; I wish this will be shared inside classrooms.

[@clintlocks4665]

OK, yokelmon. Done!

[@jamesgrey13]

This lesson lit the hallways of the corridor of the metaphor for me! :D

[@raynalramadhan8789]

Tony James Gilpin It grows up different shade of greens in my dried forest of metaphor!

[@stevegonzales9]

Maybe because this feels more appealing. You go to school every day. This is a warm change that you enjoy every once in a while. Maybe you pay more attention to this than to school because this is something you want to learn.

[@mikefarrell5996]

The more I listen to this the more respect I have for metaphors. The more Jane Hirshfield I read the more brilliant I think she is. Thanks for this little Ted-Ed.

[@hanbanan2251]

My favorite video to use in the classroom and to send to any aspiring poet!

[@screenwatcher949]

Jane's voice is as sweet as honey!

[@Hexspa]

+Broguy the Shy Guy A simile but ya

[@J4laYT]

You would say Jane's voice is sweet honey!

[@KikomochiMendoza]

Broguy 22 you can't taste voices you silly goose :D

[@jaycejohnson6846]

Broguy 22 I thought it was Wynona Rider!

[@nguyetnhat6699]

I would said “ Jane’s cotton voice melt my heart”

[@FM-cu9mk]

I am always touched and influnced by the content and the words of those videos, they take me to another world.

[@Immissawsom]

this has officially become my favourite video ever.

[@vitornesello]

I like how in the end you make more intense use of metaphors to describe what is a metaphor

[@rogersledz6793]

Thank you so much for uploading this video. It is helping me get through the pandemic!

[@noorasrte6068]

That moment when you realize she's explaining metaphor through metaphor

Absolutely lovely and gently illuminating.

[@chris111690]

Not boring, beautiful. These Videos are always so beautiful and well made.

[@alexhopewell449]

I actually like "Tired as a whale."

[@The_Math_Enthusiast]

Her voice is so soothing!!

[@InflatableAlien]

I think the first couple of examples "Raining cats and dogs" and "waiting for the other shoe to drop" are actually idioms as their meaning cannot be easily guessed and there are no paralelles drawn, otherwise great video

[@mystylangston4803]

Find my comment it give the explanation

[@clintlocks4665]

Good point! But an idiom is a *type* of metaphor, just like a simile is. (Uh, sorry for the mobius).

[@tankemall]

Brilliant. She's right you know, about the poems. I don't remember the names or the poem word for word, but I instantly remember the poem from the first metaphor.

[@paoloangelino24]

Some say the blacker the berry the sweeter the juice. I say the darker the flesh and the deeper the roots. #pac

[@wallflovr]

What flesh for what roots !🤔

[@existenz4930]

@@wallflovr listen to 2pac music

[@ChrisMakhoba]

The visual representation was just excellent very helpful 💕

[@janreed99]

Best explanation I've seen on the topic.........

[@octopusvidsforyou9249]

ya she has a very calming voice through my preciption

[@mckennaaisswaggy4512]

Idk why but I find this video very soothing and it gives me really good vibes like what

[@TheHugosouthafrica]

I have learnt more from this video than in most others on the web. Open your mind

[@YtubeUserr]

TED-Ed is reaching for video excellence with the enthusiasm of a dog on heat.

[@EvilEddtheRed]

Fabulous! Though metaphors are so powerful, 'as tired as a whale' instantly reminds me that some whales sleep floating vertically in groups, and that whale-song could be particularly expressive, weary yawns.

[@dengbeny]

she looks at me with her dark coffee eyes and says "this video's really helpful but makes me feel sad, like a cat born in the middle of winter's street ".

[@namelesssoul104]

Wow

[@avery7964]

I am starting to become obsessed with metaphor because it’s so unique and creative. I got into them because of My Chemical Romance. Listen to their songwriting they write in metaphor.

[@Lionbug]

Fantastic, incredible Job on the animation Ben!!

[@mitchjohnsonabel2351]

the voice of the speaker is so soothing

[@mssaarahn]

I liked the narration, it fit the content well.

[@Pablo-oh1ew]

This video give more knowledge then my college teachers taking whole class just to explain what the meaning of metaphor

[@firdausparvez1699]

I loved it! So well explained!

[@jimlefevre]

Wonderful film, wonderful script, well done Messrs Hirshfield and Pearce (and the people commissioning these too)

[@iamgracefully]

It's interesting and informative. It broadens my idea about metaphor in artistic way.

[@lakitu21]

More of these please, NOW!

[@hiro95959]

I wish my 4th grade teacher could have/ would have used this. TED needs to be in classrooms more often.

[@hero9402]

i can watch these metaphor visual all day

[@TonySinyaev]

Great pure lesson. Thank you

[@reeshioppa]

The narration is simply great. But I liked for the animator. GREAT!

[@MrShaun42088]

it's more than just giving a feeling.. it's just the easiest way to describe something if you have something to give it an equal comparison.

[@paulmryglod4802]

this video is a wet dreary day with a rainbow at the end

[@nicole-secondaryemail-mort9617]

@4:50 "... a good metaphor... [is] a way to let you feel or know something differently" Nice description :)

[@RUMAILALIKHAN]

REALLY BEAUTIFUULL EXPLINATION

[@Animaniac-k4b]

Beautifully explained ❤️❤️❤️

[@helenlee879]

Amazing explanation of metaphors! Really enjoyed the video!

[@marineninga]

Million times better than how metaphors were explained in my school

[@Shameemos]

Thank you for this video. Somehow it's just perfect.

[@DreJr]

Her voice is perfect for this!

[@brendanbramman]

I love metaphors. They make me feel tingly.

[@k-vandan]

made me think so hard that next video played automatically but I was keeping thinking

[@TamTamTarot1]

at 2:08 i was like THOSE ANIT METAPHORS till it said they called similes i was about to rat someone out :3

[@JacksonIsGQ]

I don't know how I got subscribed to this channel but I'm glad I am

[@MrShaun42088]

somehow i zoned out on the cricket going down the stream. a combination of the serene trickling waters, the cricket's song and her soothing tone of voice.

[@jebc4652]

Very true, metaphors allow us to feel things differently.

[@gbishel]

This video vibrate as an old movie.

[@DrRank]

St. Patrick: "So you see, God is like a shamrock." Irish: "O GREAT SHAMROCK, YOU ARE POWERFUL..." St. Patrick: "No, no, no. This is simply a metaphor." Irish: "O GREAT METAPHOR..."

[@thecaveoawesomeness]

I like that part at the end. Now I need to make the handle that will open the world I imagine.

[@NavidSakhai]

Very Interesting...

[@thejoker-wu1sp]

best place to find similes and metaphors is rap. example: "when i shoot dudes fall down in tears (tiers) like a caste system..." one of the best similies i ever heard.

[@oonmm]

You know nothing of rap, that is not Eminem.

[@thejoker-wu1sp]

you idiot i did not say that was eminem did i? i did not even mention eminem you asshead. that line was from a freestyle battle from dont flop. trust me i know rap.

[@oonmm]

Randy Allen You have no idea, you don't live rap. Don't insult me

[@thejoker-wu1sp]

where the hell did you get eminem from tho? im not insulting you. im questioning you. YOU are insulting ME fool! whatever,im done here.

[@joebazooks]

Randy Allen god, so many ppl nowadays have completely lost their marbles, eh? lol

[@dameanvil]

0:32 🎭 Metaphors describe one thing by likening it to another, engaging the imagination and senses. 1:24 🤔 Metaphors aren't true or false but can feel right or wrong; good metaphors resonate while bad ones confuse. 2:03 🌌 We're naturally inclined to think in images, as seen in dreams, making metaphors powerful tools of communication. 3:00 📜 Poems are rich sources of metaphors, offering profound insights into human experiences and emotions. 4:06 🏠 Metaphors aren't limited to human experiences; they can also describe natural phenomena, enriching our understanding of the world. 4:58 🚪 Metaphors serve as handles on the doors of knowledge and imagination, opening up new worlds of understanding.

[@diegom-a7970]

BEAUTIFUL animation

[@Zralf]

wow, the voice is so pleseant, and the animation is verry verry nice to look at.

[@kimlien3339]

How superb it is when the speaker uses metaphors to explain what metaphors are :D god damn

[@HenryLiu7]

Why do I hear GLaDOS

[@Ronnie7X]

Thank you for participating in this TED science enrichment center video formatted thought experiment Please recollect all your personal belongings before leaving the TED science enrichment center metro exit elevator

[@FocusMrbjarke]

+Ronnie McCera you can never escape a ted video

[@brycegrantham6605]

+Henry Liu I came down here to comment the exact same thing!!!

[@jirayuyathikul6218]

Me too!

[@nasugbubatangas]

Exactly! Metaphors are not meant to hide meaning. This is what many writers get wrong. It is meant to make you experience the world differently.

[@luismoran9039]

GLadOS sounds specially unemotional in this one.

[@ollyplayz5128]

Had to watch this for homework

[@dancingfishfilms]

Fascinating - loved the animation too. I'm off to investigate the animator.

[@VIII-BARNANADAS]

Kindly explain the metaphor used by Winthrop Parkhust in his one act play 'The Beggar and the King'.

[@meepsity]

The animation in this video is just HILARIOUS... I guess it was because of the subjects that they've used but man, I'm like wheezing right now.

[@timadamson3378]

Might want to read a bit on the enormous work recently done on cognitive metaphor. Lakoff and Johnson, Metaphors We Live By or Mark Turner, The Literary Mind. Much more clear and helpful.

[@LockedUpIdeas]

Absolutely stunning.

[@ChuongNguyen-xy3rp]

omg, This video is still focking great!

[@SloppyLarry]

You should also note that they are essential to communication. If someone says they have to move the meeting to Sunday they are using an intuitive abstract metaphor that we blindly accept.