Megametaphors and macro structure of the work A case study of ethical conceptual metaphors in two English novels

Abstract

Megametaphors, or extended metaphors, mostly appear in literature, with the role of connecting micormetaphors and clarifying the macrostructure of a literary work. This article explores common conceptual metaphors about morality in two British novels, including Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and The Portrait of Dorian Gray, through identifying linguistic metaphors, thereby exploring the underlying megametaphors and analyzing their functions in the discourse. Results show that the megametaphors MORALITY IS STRENGTH and MORALITY IS BEAUTY were used repeatedly throughout these works to describe characters as well as their moral decline, thereby conveying moral messages to readers.