eurekateam said:
I wanted to ask about the proverb *Lies have short legs*. Does it emploies a metephor or personification. I had an debate with my theory of literature teacher about this topic. She said that it emploied a personification whereas I said a metaphor.
Please, give me a well facted answer to make cleat this topic.
Thank you!
Within the word personification there's the word 'person'. If what you are describing has the attributes of a person, then you're using personification.
The difference between personification and metaphor is that metapor is a comparison made by referring to one thing as another. For example,
Life is a beach.
No man is an island.
Above, Life is being compared to a beach, and humans are being compared to an island.
If we add in the word "like", we get a simile. Note the letters 'simil-', it means, similar. When you are comparing two things that are not 100% the same, but that have a degree of similarity, then it's a simile.
Life is not a beach, but it's like a beach. (Simile)
Life is a beach. They are one and the same. (Metaphor)
Lies have short legs. (Personification)
'Lies' is a thing and 'legs' belong to beings that walk, which is what 'Lies have short legs' is referring to: Lies don't last long. If you tell one, you're to be found out (as a liar) sooner or later.
