The power of metaphor

Metaphor can be used to obfuscate, but it can also be used to frame and explain very thorny and confusing ideas or issues. John Merrow, in his recent blog post, “Can this marriage be saved?”, pulls off the latter. The marriage metaphor is apt for many reasons though one of its profound strengths is that it grounds the fight between the public and teachers as a deep (and often symbiotic) relationship, founded on a promise of commitment. Merrow’s formulation of the current bitter stalemate between teachers and the public as a marriage between two passionate parties elevates the conversation because it does not allow for a simple story of blame. Blame here is not the name of the game because if the marriage is going to be saved, and it must be, both parties will have to be involved if the kids are going to succeed.

The problems with public education abound; we all know that. What Merrow points out in his treatment of the issue is one of the largest problems that we aren’t talking much about: the terrible lessons we’re teaching our children by shaming teachers and not taking a measured look at the “marriage.” What message are we sending to our students by picking sides before doing what is most fundamental to any relationship—listening?

Perhaps you're not a marriage counselor, but you can still tell us what you think!