How Film Metaphor is Used. Using the Example of Pixar's "Inside Out" (PDF)

Seminar paper from the year 2018 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Linguistics, grade: 1,3, http://www.uni-jena.de/, language: English, abstract: The example of the common metaphor "life is a rollercoaster" portrays how even such a simple form of the versatile device communicates a profound message, and helps us, language users, to grasp an abstract concept. Metaphor however, is not just a linguistic device, it is indeed fundamental in everyday life (Lakoff and Johnson 3). Even in the medium of film people make use of the device in the form of filmic metaphor. In all these different instances the omnipresent device allows us to understand and grasp abstract concepts by mapping them to another domain.

Pixar's Inside Out is a valuable example of how metaphor in film is used. The comedy-drama introduces five little figures who are embodiments of the five basic human emotions, and live in a young girls head. In the following paper I will analyse the movie Inside Out as an example of how metaphor in film is used to communicate and clarify human emotions. Prior to the investigation of the device in the computer-animated movie, a theoretical view on metaphor in general will be provided. On this occasion, I will present a rough overview of the conceptual metaphor theory. The concept of metaphor will then be elaborated in reference to film metaphor. Subsequently, I will apply the theoretical basis to the movie Inside Out. Pixar's use of metaphor in the comedy-drama will be analysed in detail. With the focus on the following emotions: joy, sadness, and anger, I will demonstrate how the metaphor of emotion and brain function is displayed in the movie. Furthermore, the metaphorical visualisation of growing up will be addressed.