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What Is A Wall?

The metaphor "wall" is one of the most commonly used metaphors that doesn't directly involve our body's senses. We think of a "mental wall" or a wall between two people, with little thought as to what makes this metaphor work. Neither do we look for its synonymous metaphors, such as "barrier" or "block". Yet with a little imagination and contemplation, we can discover that "wall" is a simple, versatile concept that finds itself in every corner of the universe.

This exercise will challenge you to think of as many "walls" as you can. As you think of a new kind of wall, you are coming up with a new metaphor. And with each new metaphor, you are coming up with a new, deeper understanding of what a wall really is.

We'll start with a typical definition of "wall", then go on to a few examples of wall metaphors and what they might tell us - then the rest is up to you! We will provide a single observation for each wall metaphor we make, then use the observation to find new metaphors (of course, you can make many observations from each metaphor!).

Wall: a solid vertical plane that separates one area and its contents from another area and its contents.

Metaphor: "A dam is a wall to water. It blocks the (outward) movement of water."

Observation: Now we know that a (metaphoric) wall can block liquids.

Metaphor: "An artery wall keeps blood from leaking."

Observation: Now we also know that a (metaphoric) wall doesn't need to be flat.

Metaphor: "A window is a wall to air but not to light."

Observation: A (metaphoric) wall can block out one thing and not another.

Metaphor: "A water filter is a wall to impurities."

Observation: A filter is a (metaphoric) wall to some things and not others.

Metaphor: "A locked door is a wall to those without a key. It is not a wall to those who have a key. Therefore, a locked door is a filter blocking those who don't have a key and allowing those who do have a key."

Observation: An intruder is an impurity!

In each our examples so far, a wall blocks something. Does it always block something? Can it ever block everything? What if it blocks nothing? What if it sometimes blocks something? Following the same process as above, try to find an answer to these questions using wall metaphors (for example, "a door is a sometimes wall" or "a hole is a nothing wall"). Then use your answers to create new metaphors, observations and questions (for example, "a heart valve is a door for blood" or "a security hole is an open door for intruders").

As you can see, it's very easy to find new kinds of wall metaphors. Have fun with your creativity - just remember to be just as disciplined as you are imaginative!