Natural sciences
In “Letters to Herodotus” the narrator points out time and time again the need to understand the natural sciences. For him, understanding these elements is of the utmost importance since it is the only way through which a person can reach the truth. Thus, for the narrator, the natural sciences are used here as a metaphor for the absolute truth.
The outer space
The narrator focuses on describing the outer space to the reader and presenting it as being outside the knowledge of the normal human living a normal life. Still, the narrator pushes everyone to try to understand outer space. In this context, the outer space or the sky is used as a metaphor for the highest level of knowledge.
Metaphor for oppression
One of the main ideas promoted by Epicurus is that Gods do exist but they do not get involved in the lives of the normal people. Even though they have the power to change something on the earth, they simply do not want to get involved. Because of this, the author sees the presence of the different temples built to please the Gods as being pointless. Still, they are seen as a metaphor for religious control and for the gullible nature of the population.
Metaphor for desire
In the essay “Essay on Seeing” the narrator talks about the capacity everyone has, namely to see and to observe the surrounding world. Also in this essay the narrator talks about the origins of desire and hypothesizes that desires are caused by what we see. Thus, the eyes and the capacity to see become used here as a metaphor for desire.
Metaphor for superiority
In the "Essay on Music," the narrator talks about the capacity every human has to create art, be it visual, auditory or written words. These methods of expression as seen as unique and particular only to humans. These capabilities also set humans apart from normal animals and as such, it is used as a metaphor for superiority.
