What Is a Metaphor? A metaphor makes a comparison by saying that one thing is another thing. For example: The desert sun is a ball of fire.

“Quilt” and “Chief Koruinka’s Song” are poems that use metaphors to express ideas. When you interpret the metaphors, you can better understand the meanings of the poems.

Practice Together

Analyze Metaphor With the class, reread the poem “Quilt” aloud. Follow these steps to interpret the metaphor and understand the meaning of the poem:

• • Identify the two things being compared. In this poem, the speaker says her family is a quilt.

• • Ask questions about what is being compared. For example: How is a family like a quilt?

• • Look closely at each line and word of the poem to answer your questions.

• • To interpret the poem’s meaning, examine the effect of comparing family to a quilt. What idea is the poet expressing about her family?

The speaker talks about a quilt being made up of odd remnants but that also keeps you warm, even when it’s cold outside. I think she means that her family members are all different but they come together to comfort each other, especially in hard times.

Try It!

With a partner, reread the poem “Chief Koruinka’s Song.” Follow the steps explained above to interpret the metaphor. How does the metaphor help you understand the ideas and feelings expressed in the poem?