I love metaphors. They’re fun, interesting, and at times, ridiculous.
They’re also an extremely useful communication tool, across most forms of communication.
As an aside, it’s important to note that not everyone understands metaphors—and that’s okay! As the communicator, it’s our responsibility to adjust our technique to the listener/reader. But, in many cases, metaphors can communicate a depth and complexity of ideas inaccessible through other communicative tools.
The best is when you are able to create layered metaphors that work on multiple levels and in a variety of ways.
What Are Layered Metaphors?
Let’s start with the basics.
A metaphor is when you compare two things that aren’t actually alike to show a shared concept or idea, but without using "like" or "as." (If you use “like” or “as,” it’s a simile.)
For example, you could say "Big Swede’s emotions were a flock of wild ducks," to help paint a vivid picture of the constant change and unpredictability of Big Swede’s emotions.
A layered metaphor is more than just a one-off comparison like, “His mind was a storm.” It’s a metaphor that builds over time, adding new meanings as the story progresses.
Side note: Big Swede is actually a duck! I don’t know if that makes this more or less of a metaphor. A duck’s emotions… are like a flock of ducks!
Think of it as a recurring symbol or motif that gains more depth every time it shows up, connecting different elements of your story.
Layered metaphors aren’t just about describing something; they’re about showing how that metaphor evolves alongside your characters, plot, or world. When done well, they can make your story feel richer and more cohesive.
For example, if you initially describe Big Swede’s emotions as “a flock of wild ducks,” and then later on, add, “The flock grew restless, scattering in every direction as the storm of doubt rolled in,” then that indicates that Big Swede’s already chaotic emotions are in upheaval.
And if you finish the story with “The ducks took flight, soaring into the peaceful, open sky,” to indicate some resolution of said emotions, then you’ve a.) given Big Swede’s emotions an arc, as well as b.) added complexity to the story with a layered metaphor.
Examples of Layered Metaphors
I hate it when posts on how-to topics don’t include examples. And not just one or two, but a bunch, to get a clear idea of what the writer is talking about.
So let’s have some examples.
I’ve structured these in three parts, but your story could refer to this metaphor repeatedly throughout the narrative. It doesn’t have to have any kind of movement or change if you don’t want, and in fact, if you’re using a flat character arc, you could easily do that by having a flat layered metaphor woven throughout your story.
But, I’m getting ahead of myself.
How about a few examples:
His resolve was a sturdy oak with roots that sank deep into the soil.
When the wind came, the branches bent, but the tree stood strong.
When the sun came, new growth sprouted.
Her focus was a hive of bees.
As the day wore on, the bees burst into a frantic cloud.
When the sun set, the swarm vanished into the night.
His curiosity flickered like a lamp, sometimes bright and sometimes bored.
The more questions he asked, the brighter the lamp grew.
The lamp had finally grown so bright, it cast light on [insert thing he’d been looking for.]
Their relationship was an elevator, rising steadily with every shared moment.
But at times, it stalled between floors, the doors stuck shut, and no one knew how to get it moving again.
Eventually, they learned to press the right buttons, guiding the elevator to new heights without fear of falling.
Okay, some of those are kind of campy, but hopefully, you get the gist.
What’s the difference between a layered metaphor and an extended metaphor?
You may have heard the term “extended metaphor.” And it might seem like a layered metaphor is, in fact, extended. So what’s the difference?
A layered metaphor is one that builds and evolves throughout the story, gaining new meanings and depth as the narrative progresses. It often reflects changes in characters, themes, or settings, with each new "layer" adding complexity to the original comparison.
For example, a metaphor that starts as a calm lake representing peace might later transform into stormy waves, symbolizing internal conflict.
An extended metaphor, on the other hand, is a single metaphor that is stretched out and elaborated on over a longer passage or even an entire story. It consistently refers back to the same core comparison, offering different facets of that one idea without necessarily changing the meaning.
For instance, an extended metaphor might describe a character’s life as a "journey" throughout the entire story, with each new chapter emphasizing the same metaphor through various aspects of travel, such as roadblocks, detours, and destinations.
In short, a layered metaphor grows and shifts meaning over time, while an extended metaphor stays focused on one comparison.
How to use layered metaphors
Layered metaphors are super versatile and can be woven into pretty much any part of your story.
Whether you’re developing characters, adding some subtext, building your world, or structuring your plot, layered metaphors can give everything a little extra depth. Let’s break it down into a few key areas where you can really make them work.
Layered Metaphors in Character Development
Characters grow and struggle throughout their narrative arc. And layered metaphors are a great way to demonstrate this shift.
For example, maybe you start with a character whose resolve is "a sturdy wall," but as things get tough, that wall starts "cracking," and by the end, it’s "crumbled to dust."
The metaphor evolves as they do, giving readers a sense of their internal journey without having to spell everything out.
It’s a great way to show rather than tell, and it helps make a character’s emotional arc feel more visual and impactful.
It’s also a great tool to reinforce unchanging elements of that character’s personality. If they are a stubborn goat, then you can use goat imagery throughout the entire story, saying things like “She butted heads” or “She really knew how to get his goat,” or “An old goat will never learn to dance.”
Certainly it can be overused, but at the right balance, it’s a great way to illustrate character and character development.
Layered Metaphors to Enhance Subtext
Metaphors are also perfect for adding some subtext to your story—those underlying emotions or tensions that you don’t want to say outright. By layering metaphors, you can hint at deeper stuff without being too obvious.
For example, maybe there’s "a glass wall" between two characters, suggesting they’re keeping things from each other. As the story goes on and their relationship gets more strained, that wall "gets thicker," and eventually, it "starts to crack."
You never have to directly say they’re drifting apart—the metaphor does that work for you.
If you want to take it further, you can use other types of barriers between other characters. Maybe they’re connected by cement or by nothing, by a thread, for example. And again, this can help do the heavy lifting of indicating the complexity of the relationship between two characters.
Layered Metaphors For Worldbuilding
When it comes to worldbuilding, especially in fantasy or sci-fi, layered metaphors can add texture and make everything feel more connected. They can help reflect the bigger themes of your world and add a sense of cohesion—or lack thereof.
Say your story takes place in a city built on a cliffside and its in the middle of a war or trying to free itself from some kind of autocratic ruler. You could describe the city as "clinging to life," and as things get more dangerous, the city could be "dangling by a thread." The metaphor doesn’t just describe the physical space, but also reflects what’s going on in the world and with the people who live there.
Alternatively, bug metaphors could be fun for a city that’s set on a cliff. Maybe you describe the city as a beetle, clinging to a rock. Or trying to take flight. Or perhaps the city is infested with corruption. Or the city is crawling with termites, eating it from the inside out.
Lotta options here.
Regardless of what you choose, layered metaphors like this can make your world feel more alive and meaningful without overloading your reader with exposition.
Layered Metaphors in Plot Structure
This might be my favorite one. Because weaving a layered metaphor throughout a plot can create a beautiful support system for structuring concepts, movement, growth, stagnancy, and any other concept you’re playing with in your story.
You can introduce a metaphor early on and allow it to grow and change as the story progresses, creating a symbolic thread that adds depth and cohesion to the narrative.
The key is to think of the metaphor as part of the plot’s backbone, something that subtly mirrors the rising tension, conflict, or resolution in your story.
Here’s how you can do it:
Introduce the metaphor early: Start by planting the metaphor in the beginning, even in a subtle way. For instance, let’s say your story is about a character who’s slowly losing control over their life. You could introduce the metaphor of "walking a tightrope" early on, where everything seems balanced but fragile.
Let the metaphor evolve with the story: As the plot progresses and the character faces more challenges, that metaphorical tightrope can start to "fray" or "sag." Or maybe they stumble and lose their balance. Remember, a tightrope isn’t just a tightrope—it’s part of a circus, there’s a net underneath, a crowd watching. Each of these elements can be utilized within the layered metaphor as the stakes rise and the story moves through its various stages. Maybe the character’s grip on the rope becomes more desperate, or the rope starts "swinging wildly" as external forces add to the chaos. The circus is your oyster.
Bring it to the climax: By the time you reach the story’s peak—whether it’s a confrontation, a decision, or a moment of realization—the metaphor should be fully developed. In our tightrope example, the moment of crisis could be when "the rope snaps," sending the character plunging into uncertainty. Or if the rope doesn’t snap, maybe the character loses their balance. Or they hit the net. This can mirror the plot’s turning point, where everything changes, and the character has to face the consequences of their choices or actions.
Resolve or complicate the metaphor in the conclusion: After the climax, the metaphor can either reach a resolution or take on a new meaning. If the character manages to regain control, you might describe them "finding solid ground" after their fall, reflecting the resolution of their journey. Alternatively, if the character’s struggles continue or evolve into something new, the metaphor could shift—maybe they’re now "climbing a cliff," a new challenge ahead of them, but with the strength to face it.
The reason I love this concept so much is because there’s so much possibility inherent in it. You can align your story with anything you want and it will affect the tone, the vibe, the style, and more.
It also gives readers something familiar to latch onto, creating a sense of progression without the need to explain every internal or external shift.
Using layered metaphors in plot structure is especially useful when you want to emphasize themes or emotional arcs without being too direct. The metaphor acts as a stand-in for more abstract concepts like control, loss, or transformation, allowing you to show rather than tell.
Plus, when a metaphor is resolved alongside the plot, it gives the reader a sense of satisfaction, like seeing all the puzzle pieces come together.
Tying it all together
Creating layered metaphors in fiction is about adding depth and complexity while keeping your readers engaged, not overwhelmed.
Whether you’re using them to shape your characters’ journeys, add hidden meaning through subtext, build a more immersive world, or even tie your plot together, layered metaphors can elevate your storytelling.
They provide a subtle, yet powerful way to give your writing texture and leave lasting impressions.
So, if you want to take your metaphors to the next level, start layering them into your characters, plot, and world. With a little practice, you’ll create metaphors that not only add richness to your story but also stick with readers long after they’ve turned the last page.
