Final answer:
The metaphor across the texts discussed relates to the experience of being lost or surrounded by darkness, a state which is eventually illuminated by love, education, or nature. These metaphors serve to vividly express the characters' emotional states and their journeys towards enlightenment or empowerment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The metaphor expressed by both Lily and Zach from her terrible experiences highlights the feeling of being trapped, lost, or surrounded by darkness, which is illuminated by moments of insight or love. As seen in the texts, these metaphors convey deep emotional states and transformation through education, art, personal suffering, or the impact of nature. Each metaphor serves as a powerful expression of the protagonist's internal struggles and eventual moment of clarity or empowerment.
One poignant example is Keller's comparison of her preliterate life to a ship lost in the fog, searching for light and understanding. Similarly, in The Two Fridas, Frida Kahlo uses the metaphor of two hearts to represent her emotional suffering laid bare. Other texts reveal characters withstanding the brunt of anger or despair, akin to a tree deeply cut into its roots, but eventually finding solace.
These literary devices invite readers to deeply empathize with the characters' situations and to understand the transformative power of overcoming obstacles, whether through education, love, art, or contact with the natural world. They demonstrate that despite hardship, there can be moments or influences that lead us out of darkness and into a clearer, more enlightened state.