Inventing Reality: A Guide to Writing Science Fiction

Science fiction often has been called “the literature of ideas” because it examines deep, philosophical concepts by placing characters in extraordinary situations where viewpoints and the logic behind decisions are tested. One powerful way to explore profound ideas is through the use of metaphor.

A metaphor is when a word or phrase that usually designates one thing is used to mean another, thus making an implicit comparison, as in Fredric Brown’s “Arena”: “Slowly his mind cleared as, slowly, the mind of a man wakening from a nightmare clears away the fear-fabric of which the dream was woven”. The metaphor is the comparing of a nightmare to a cloth that has been weaved together with the fabric of fear.

Metaphors can occur within stories, as a form of imagery (such as Brown’s example), or the story itself can be a metaphor. For example, the Martian invasion in H.G. Well’s “The War of the Worlds” often is seen as a metaphor for Victorian colonialism – the superior air the Martians hold toward the natives, the invaders’ technological superiority, their indiscriminate destruction, even their replacing of local fauna with that brought from their home.

When writing metaphors, be sure to follow a few guidelines:

n Don’t mix metaphors - A mixed metaphor occurs when two incongruous, contradictory objects are compared, as in “Brilliant sunshine rained down on Tau Ceti V”. Sunshine and rain are incongruous.

n Avoid metaphoric clash - Sometimes an otherwise perfect metaphor results in the wrong impression, as in “Zell searched through the ruins for his beloved fiancé with the intensity of a Puritan priest on a witch hunt.” Hopefully Zell doesn’t intend to burn his fiancé at the stake once to show his undying love!

n Choose an appropriate metaphor for the scene/environment - Sometimes the metaphor’s comparison collapses under analysis, as in “Ramtal spoke diplomatically to the Pavonians, a drill instructor conversing with his recruits.” Drill sergeants don’t speak “diplomatically” but with gruffness. An inappropriate metaphor should be reserved for comedy.