The Metaphor Essay Example

women look nothing alike. Miss Hancock dressed exuberantly. She would wear "Colorful beaded and embroidered blouses", and her makeup could "... keep a student interested for half an hour if she or he were bored with a grammar assignment" (p 65). In the story, Charlotte's Mother liked to keep the house clean and spotless. Her hair and makeup is conservative and put together. In Charlotte's metaphor for her mother, she described her as "flawless", whereas Miss Hancock was described as a "cake frosted by someone unschooled in the art of cake decoration" (p 80). They look like two completely different people.

Aside from personality or looks, the influence they have on Charlotte is unalike. In the story, Miss Hancock is a better mother than Charlotte's own biological mother. She educates Charlotte to express herself through literature. Charlotte's Mother, however, ridicules Miss Hancock. She calls her "Overdone, too much enthusiasm. Flamboyant. Orange Hair." (p 71), which squashes what her daughter loves and enjoys in her teacher. She didn't understand why Charlotte was so devastated when Miss Hancock died, and told her she was not being sensible. Miss Hancock was actually the one who showed concern and asked Charlotte questions after Charlotte's first metaphor.

Miss Hancock and Charlotte's Mother share a few things in common, but are very different. They are important role models in Charlotte's life. Although they are strong, contrasting characters, the influence they have on Charlotte will last forever.