The Lives of Animals Metaphors and Meaning

Key inquiry questions What is a metaphor, a simile and an analogy? How can using animals symbolically in language give different values to different species? How can the author influence audience perceptions of animals through metaphor and other language choices?

What is a metaphor?

https://ed.ted.com/lessons/ja ne-hirshfield-the-art-of-the- metaphor

They went like sheep to the slaughter Have you heard the line before? What do you think this means? Where does Elizabeth use this in the text? How would meaning change if another animal was used? (e.g. tiger or dog) What does it imply about sheep?

They went like sheep to the slaughter (feedback)

Can your group think of 10 other expressions that use animals?

Expressions that use animals (feedback)

Expressions that use animals (feedback) The classroom was a zoo Watch out, he is a sly fox He was as filthy as a pig She was as lazy as a dog Early bird catches the worm I smell a rat The children were monkeys at the park Turkeys voting for Christmas Don't be such a chicken

Positive Negative Neutral The classroom was a zoo Group the following (or your own) into either positive, negative or neutral connotations: The classroom was a zoo Watch out, he is a sly fox He was as filthy as a pig She was as lazy as a dog Early bird catches the worm I smell a rat The children were monkeys at the park Turkeys voting for Christmas Don't be such a chicken

How are animals used in metaphor? What do these say about animals? What values are assigned to animals through how they are used? Does this differ between species? Do you agree or disagree with particular metaphors? Why might the author use a metaphor to affect the audience and what is assumed about the audience? In the text the author (Coetzee) uses metaphors, what was the purpose of using this? Why do we use animals in metaphors? How do negative or positive metaphors affect how we view animals?

Reflection: written piece Topic: Should we should use language that is negative about animals?

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