Whenever writers wish to share an experience with their readers, a simile is an easy tool to quickly help the readers understand the images, feelings, or ideas. Similes usually incorporate a tangible and common item that engages the readers' sensory experience.
Definition of the Literary Technique: Simile
A simile compares two unlike persons, places, things, or ideas, by using comparative words such as “like” or “as.”
Examples of the Literary Technique: Simile
Here are some general examples of a simile, expressing that someone’s eyes share qualities with stars.
“Your eyes are like stars.”
“Your eyes are as bright as stars.”
“Your eyes are similar to stars.”
In these cases, the writer is using comparative words such as “like” or “as." Stars and human eyes, while very different, can share the characteristics or qualities of shining, sparkling, and twinkling.
Non-examples of the Literary Technique: Simile
However, using the words such as “like” or “as” does not always produce a simile. Comparing persons, places, things, or ideas that are in the same category will not result in a simile, but only a comparison.
Here are some non-examples of comparisons which are not similes.
“You look like your sister.” (comparing like persons)
“Seattle is as rainy as Portland.” (comparing like places)
“This lamp is like that lamp.” (comparing like things)
“Socialism is similar to Communism.” (comparing like ideas)
Purpose of the Literary Technique: Simile
The simile is used when a writer wants to enhance a description of a person, place, thing, or idea. Careful writers select comparisons that their readers are familiar with.
For example, when writing for people familiar with stars, then a star is an effective comparison. However, comparing someone’s eyes to a rare African plant is not as effective for an audience of readers who are unfamiliar with botany.
Analysis of the Literary Technique: Simile
Here is a sample analysis of a simile. The example is from J.R.R. Tolkien's book, The Fellowship of the Ring. In this selection taken from the first chapter, "A Long-Expected Party," the wizard Gandalf is listening to Bilbo Baggins explain how he feels on his 111th birthday:
"I am old, Gandalf. I don't look it, but I am beginning to feel it in my heart of hearts...I feel all thin, sort of stretched, if you know what I mean: like butter that has been scraped over too much bread" (p. 41).
In this case, Tolkien is using a simile, describing Bilbo's feelings of carrying the Ring of Power by using the word "like" in the comparison of "butter scraped over too much bread." Bilbo's age contributes to his feeling "stretched," but the main reason is the Ring of Power, which Bilbo has kept for many years after finding it in Gollum's cave. Bilbo has rarely used the Ring, and hence has avoided the immediate influence of its insidious power. However, the Ring still has a hold on Bilbo, the effect of which is to make Bilbo feel "stretched" and "scraped."
While the readers have not felt what the fictional Ring of Power can do to a soul, readers do have experience with trying to spread only a little butter over a piece of bread. It's difficult, practically destroys the bread, and leaves the person with no nourishment. This experience can help readers understand that Bilbo cannot last much longer in the presence of the Ring. This simile is also true to the person using it. Hobbits love to eat, and thus Bilbo uses food, or the lack of butter, to explain the Ring's power.
Similes, if not over-used, can help a writer immediately connect with readers.
References
Glossary of Literary Terms University of North Carolina at Pembroke.
Tolkien, J.R.R. The Lord of the Rings. Collector's Edition. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1974.
Teresa Knudsen - Teresa's writing appears in the British Library, Harvard, Yale, and Princeton. Online she has written for USA Today and E How.
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