Metaphorical Stories in Discourse

by L. David Ritchie

Overview

When Hillary Clinton conceded in 2008 that she didn't quite 'shatter the glass ceiling', and when Rick Perry in 2012 called Mitt Romney a 'vulture capitalist', they used abbreviated metaphorical stories, in which stories about one topic are presented as stories about something entirely different. This book examines a wide range of metaphorical stories, beginning with literary genres such as allegories and fables, then focusing on metaphorical stories in ordinary conversations, political speeches, editorial cartoons, and other communication. Sometimes metaphorical stories are developed in rich detail; in other examples, like 'vulture capitalist', they may merely be referenced or implied. This book argues that close attention to metaphorical stories and story metaphors enriches our understanding and is essential to any theory of communication. The book introduces a theoretical structure, which is developed into a theory of metaphorical stories and then illustrates the theory by applying it to actual discourse.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781107168305
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	09/14/2017
Pages:	282
Product dimensions:	6.18(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.79(d)

About the Author

L. David Ritchie is Professor of Communication at Portland State University, where he has taught since 1990. He is the author of three books, including Metaphor (Cambridge, 2014).

Date of Death:

February 2, 2010

Table of Contents

1. Introduction; 2. Understanding metaphors: substitution and property attribution theories; 3. Understanding metaphors: theories based on semantic relationships; 4. Conceptual metaphors; 5. Perceptual simulation; 6. Metaphors and framing effects; 7. Language play: metaphors, stories, and humor; 8. Conversation; 9. Metaphors in politics; 10. Metaphors in literature; 11. Closing reflections.