| Open Access
Alma Mater – Zeitschrift für interdisziplinäre Kulturforschungen 2025, Bd. 2(2) 389-400
Beyond the Whiskers: Cat Metaphors in Select Igbo Literary Texts
S. 389 - 400 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.29329/almamater.2025.1349.9
Veröffentlichungsdatum: September 07, 2025 | Einzeln/Gesamtansichten: 0/0 | Einzeln/Gesamtdownloads: 0/0
Zusammenfassung
Literature, through metaphor, mirrors the thought systems of a people. One such metaphor, the animal metaphor, is significant in framing human relationships with the environment. This paper examines cat metaphors in three Igbo literary texts. Using Jonathan Charteris-Black’s Critical Metaphor Analysis, this qualitative study identifies instances of cat metaphors; explores and interprets their mappings onto human behaviours using the characters and contexts in the study texts. The findings reveal four cases of cat metaphors. It notes that the cat is primarily used alongside the rat to illustrate power dynamics. The dominant is portrayed as the cat, while the subordinate is depicted as the rat. The cat’s stealthiness and relationship with the rat are domains for mapping human behaviours. Although the cat metaphor is not extensively used in the studied texts, its usage reflects the Igbo people’s perception of the cat as a domestic animal in their geographical enclave. This study contributes to understanding Igbo literature and culture, highlighting the significance of metaphor in shaping societal values and power dynamics.
Schlüsselwörter: Cat, Metaphor, Igbo, Nigeria
APA 7. Auflage
Nigeria), C.E.(.o. (2025). Beyond the Whiskers: Cat Metaphors in Select Igbo Literary Texts. Alma Mater – Zeitschrift für interdisziplinäre Kulturforschungen, 2(2), 389-400. https://doi.org/10.29329/almamater.2025.1349.9
Harvard
Nigeria), C. (2025). Beyond the Whiskers: Cat Metaphors in Select Igbo Literary Texts. Alma Mater – Zeitschrift für interdisziplinäre Kulturforschungen, 2(2), pp. 389-400.
Chicago 16. Auflage
Nigeria), Chinedu Ezebube (University of (2025). "Beyond the Whiskers: Cat Metaphors in Select Igbo Literary Texts". Alma Mater – Zeitschrift für interdisziplinäre Kulturforschungen 2 (2):389-400. https://doi.org/10.29329/almamater.2025.1349.9
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