Which statement accurately distinguishes metaphor from an extended metaphor?

• A. Metaphor is a direct, explicit comparison; extended metaphor is a long, extended comparison.
• B. Metaphor is an implied comparison; extended metaphor is a short, single-line comparison.
• C. Metaphor is a figure of speech limited to poetry; extended metaphor only appears in prose.
• D. Metaphor is an implied comparison; extended metaphor is developed throughout the entire poem or work.

Answer: (D)

A metaphor works by making a comparison between two unlike things without using like or as; the link is usually implied, not stated in a direct, line-by-line way. An extended metaphor takes that same idea and keeps it going across a large portion of a text—often the entire poem or work—so that a single image or concept shapes much of the meaning, imagery, and tone. For example, if a poem treats life as a journey and keeps referencing roads, destinations, detours, and travelers, that single metaphor governs the piece from start to finish. The difference is not just length, but how deeply the comparison is developed and integrated throughout the work.