With extensive use of metaphors, Thoreau both clarifies his ideas and makes his ideas more complicated. Thoreau uses metaphors to create circumstances that clarify the meaning he wants to convey, but these metaphors would be complicated for someone who doesn’t have basic knowledge regarding the metaphor itself. When Thoreau uses the Spartans in a metaphor to state how people should live, it makes his ideas easier for me to understand because I know the Spartans led a plain and militaristic life. What would happen if someone had no knowledge of Spartan society? The metaphor would confuse those that have limited knowledge on the Spartans.
With some basic knowledge, Thoreau’s article is easy to understand due to the fact that most metaphors are easy to understand. The metaphors chosen by Thoreau have an important role in clarifying his article and the metaphors serve their purpose really well.
I imagine a person who didn't understand the reference might look up Spartans in a history book and expand their knowledge base. :) However at that time knowledge of Greek history was widespread.
ReplyDeleteFull points.