This is a little hard to explain, but let's give it a go.
The verb "become" and similar verbs such as turn into, transform into, come to resemble should generally not be used to introduce a metaphorical phrase because for it to work, a metaphor must seem to be a natural analogy to something that is already there or already exists in a state that is analogous to the thing being described.
See? I told you it is hard to explain. So let's look at some examples.
After years under the tyranny of the oppressors, the conquered regions become a powder keg, liable to explode at the slightest spark.
What is wrong with this? Well it is ok to liken something to a powder keg, but it does not make sense to suggest that it will later become similar to a powder keg. The thing about powder kegs is that they are liable to go off at any minute. So it makes no sense to worry that in the future a region may become like a powder keg.
Generally, a metaphor should be already there, so to speak, not something into which something else has to develop.
No comments:
Post a Comment