Simile: A simile is a comparison between two unlike things, using the direct comparison words “like” or “as”. An example from the book: The stairs of the house that Meme Ortiz moved into are uneven and jut “like crooked teeth” on the front of the house. (page 22)

Metaphor: A metaphor is a comparison between two unlike things which is done indirectly, without using comparison words such as “like” or “as”. An example from the book are the four skinny trees on pages 74-75. “They grow up and they grow down and grab the earth between their hairy toes and bite the sky with violent teeth and never quit their anger.” The trees are personified, which is a kind of metaphor. It’s not a simile, because there’s no direct comparison word. Also, there is an extended metaphor here: They have no outward strength, but “their strength is secret”, because of their deep roots, they “keep” (the word Esperanza uses) by never giving up, never quitting their anger. When Esperanza is sad and in despair, she thinks of the trees. We can see that the trees are like Esperanza (and her name), that the girl is being compared to the trees. But the comparison is never explicitly made with the words, “Esperanza is like the trees”. It’s a metaphor. Metaphors, when complicated and complete enough, sometimes become symbols.

Try some, just by looking around the classroom and school. Make metaphors and similes based on these topics and ideas:

Students come to school on Monday morning (like) ___________________________________________

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Gustavo is tall: _________________________________________________________________________

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The clock on a classroom wall: ____________________________________________________________

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The books on the shelf:___________________________________________________________________

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Andres:________________________________________________________________________________

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Mr. Tallman:___________________________________________________________________________

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Now, look and listen around the room and create one or more good similes or metaphors:

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