Intended to introduce students to the most dynamic aspects of language and to help them see the metaphors of poetry from a perspective beyond poetry, this book offers background information for class discussion on the pervasiveness of metaphors, giving examples of how metaphors underlie folk expressions, proverbs, riddles, cliches, and slang, and how they can shape perception of public issues. The six chapters discuss the following topics: (1) popular metaphor; (2) humor in metaphor; (3) literal comparisons and the enticement of metaphor; (4) the metaphors of poetry; (5) identifying symbols and distinguishing them from metaphor; and (6) the ultimate significance of metaphor, symbol, and language. (HTH)