Farnsworth's Classical English Metaphor

by Ward Farnsworth

Farnsworth's Classical English Rhetoric was the definitive guide to the use of rhetorical devices in English. Here now is the natural, and perhaps even more noteworthy sequel, Farnsworth's Classical English Metaphor, the most entertaining and instructive book ever written about the art of linguistic comparisons.

A metaphor compares two things that seem unalike. Lincoln was a master of the art, as were Jefferson and Shakespeare. Farnsworth's book collects the most eloquent examples, arranges them by theme, and provides the historical and cultural backdrops that inspired their use. There is interest, instruction, and amusement to be found on every page.

Genres: Writing, Reference, Language, Nonfiction, Education, Classics

256 pages, Hardcover

First published December 27, 2015

About the author

Ward Farnsworth is Dean and John Jeffers Research Chair at the University of Texas School of Law. He formerly was Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Law at the Boston University Law School. He has served as a law clerk to Anthony M. Kennedy of the United States Supreme Court and to Richard A. Posner of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, and worked as a Legal Adviser to the Iran-United States Claims Tribunal in the Hague. He received his J.D. with high honors from the University of Chicago Law School, and his B.A. from Wesleyan University.

Farnsworth is the author of books on law, philosophy, rhetoric, and chess. He also has published scholarly articles on the economic analysis of law, constitutional law, statutory interpretation, jurisprudence, and cognitive psychology. He serves as Reporter for the American Law Institute’s Restatement Third, Torts: Liability for Economic Harm.

Reviews

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second Farnsworth "Classical English" book I've read, and I loved it as much as the first and for the same reasons.

[Daniel]

While reading this book I noticed that coming up with metaphors is a bit like walking to me: I do it all the time and with so little difficulty that I barely notice the complexity of it. This book then feels like a manual for the many ways how to walk. Don't take that as an insult. It isn't. There's something quite valuable about defamiliarizing yourself from something you took for granted and returning to it with the new found respect and appreciation that the study of a subject allows for.
I definitely recommend it.

[Abhishek Tripathi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book felt slightly on the drier side, but nonetheless, I'm glad I read it. I might even revisit it later.

Farnsworth categorizes metaphors into various chapters, and illustrates their effect on the prose. He discusses at length the purpose of metaphors and similes. And how to effectively use them for evocating a sensory image, for exaggeration, for belittlement and insults. He uses examples from classic texts, like Boswell's Life of Johnson, Dickens, and philosophical texts from John Locke and Jeremy Bentham (the philosophers, not the characters from the TV Show, Lost).

[Brian Wasserman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scholarship purposes this is a fine book, literary purposes it is dry. Many of the examples are appropriate, I think if anything it gives a reader the idea that for many centuries English prose was dominated by stiff pedanticism, many of the metaphors lack poeticism and would be much more bouyant to the ears if there were put into simpler and more fresh terms, often the metaphors are direct copulas x equals y, more similes than metaphors.

[Graham Boswell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neither as interesting nor as pragmatic as the previous book on rhetoric, but an excellent read nonetheless. The subject doesn’t lend itself to the same kind of technical explication as rhetoric does, so much of the book just kind of rolls forward with a host of choice examples. The examples, though, are choice indeed, and the organization does allow Farnsworth to explore the various specific capacities of all different kinds of figurative images. The final chapters on the comparative structures of different similes and metaphors are the highlights, and if I had a note for Farnsworth, it would have been to begin with those so we get a full understanding of the possible ways that these devices can be used structurally before going into the more content-oriented material. In any case, valuable reading for any writer, and combined with the other books in the series, a useful course in one of literature’s most elusive subjects.

[J.A. A Santana · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a great collection of metaphor usage from a variety of sources, I would have preferred to see from poetry but I did appreciate Shakespeare was included as he is known for his mastery for writing metaphors. The author does state in the beginning what time periods he would share metaphors from and I appreciate that info. I can't say with certainty if I use metaphors deliberately but I recognize its power making concepts/ideas seem much clearer when used to effect and this little golden gem I will return to for reference when I struggle to create one in my work.

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most books on writing and speaking are wispy, antiquated or redundant. This one is substantial, current and worthwhile. It doesn't seem to drag, even though you'd expect that given the format and how it achieves its goals. Getting a physical copy of this would probably still be worthwhile after listening to it as a reference.

This was the second book in this series that I've read, and I'll probably go ahead with a third next month when I get my new credits.

[Adegoke Oluwasogo · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Luxuriance of Metaphoric Example

Quite easy to read and assimilate
Useful for preachers and word painters.
Requires a mental commitment to process
Excellent
Deserves a five star

[Bee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book! It partially answers the age-old question: what makes good writing good? I say partially because no one book is going to answer the question definitively. This one is an excellent start.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably better as a reference book than one that is read straight through.

[Tony Ciak · Rating 5 out of 5]

great as the Colossus

[Deirdre E Siegel · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Lescault narrates :-)

[Godine Publisher & Black Sparrow Press · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you seek edification about the craft of writing, rarely has instruction been administered so delightfully. –George F. Will, syndicated columnist

A book to linger in, like an imaginatively interactive museum. –Patrick Kurp, Anecdotal Evidence
Ward Farnsworth is a witty commentator…It’s a book to dip in and savor.–Jan Gardner, The Boston Globe

Impressively well written, deftly organized, superbly presented, a brilliant informational treatise…Very highly recommended for both community and academic libraries.–Willis Buhle, Midwest Book Review

More than analysis, more than reference, this work is astoundingly rich and dense–an education in itself, and highly enjoyable.–Mark Helprin, author of Winter’s Tale

Understand metaphor, understand the world, understand yourself…I could quote to you for the rest of the afternoon without exhausting the richness and sophistication of Mr. Farnsworth’s admirable collection…The more we understand and make use of the possibilities of metaphor, the more profound understanding we will achieve. –John E. McIntyre, The Baltimore Sun

This handsome book…[is structured as] a scholarly anatomy of metaphors, [but] he recognizes that most people will find it a grab-bag of memorable quotations, an ideal browsing book for the nightstand.–Michael Dirda, The Washington Post

A superb job. Figuratively speaking, this is the best book that can be found. –Bryan A. Garner, author of Garner’s Modern English Usage

I want this book to be beside my bed for years to come, a treasure-house of the liquid magic of words. –Simon Winchester, author of The Professor and the Madman

A feat of elegant demystification…Farnsworth is able to focus on the finite material of metaphorical referents…a brilliant strategy, both in its utility for writers and the inherent insight Farnsworth’s divisions suggest about metaphors. –Jonathan Russell Clark, The Millions

Farnsworth’s Classical English Metaphor promises and delivers a gallery of metaphor-masterworks…It is one of those books that inspires a reviewer to sing the delights of dipping in at random or of setting by a bedside for insomniac diversion…But there is another, less precious upshot to the book’s mosaic of metaphors: it gives emphasis not to the genius of individual authors, but to the potential of the English language.” —Essays & Criticism

[Joshua Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continuing down the train of thought which started with “the master and his emissary” earlier this year. This book is highly relevant to what I am currently exploring and is also just a pleasure to read. Most people will enjoy perusing this book more than reading it straight through which is fine. However you read it, this book is food for your right brain (a useful thing in a left brained culture).

[Robboblaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr. Farnsworth’s books remind me of Bryan Garners usage books. I mean this in the best way possible. Not a book to be read but to be enjoyed slowly. Flip to a random page, any page.

[J Earl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Farnsworth's Classical English Metaphor is an extensive look at the use and construction of metaphor in the English language. This is not a dictionary of metaphors so don't expect to simply look up quotes by writers. This has a lot of quotes but they are incorporated into the text as illustrations and examples of types and variations.

I have been going through this book for some time now, reading it once through then periodically revisiting chapters when the mood struck. This book serves as both a wonderful learning tool for writers as well as a splendid reference for them. Unless the only thing you want to do is use the words of someone else then this is the book for you. Through discussion and many examples you will confidently understand metaphors that others use as well as create your own to better express your own thoughts.

Highly recommended to readers and writers alike. If you're a bit of a nerd like me you'll probably visit this book many times for both help and entertainment.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via Edelweiss.