Arab World English Journal (AWEJ) Vol.6. No.3 September 2015 Pp. 136 – 156
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol6no3.9
Metaphor and Action Embodiment in the Glorious Quran
As’ad J. Abu Libdeh
Applied Science Private University
Jordon
Abstract:
This paper investigates how man is metaphorically conceptualized in the Quran, and how metaphor embodies his actions. The main aim is to arrive at a better understanding of the Quranic discourse, see how metaphor gives structure to human actions which bring him either salvation or damnation on Doomsday. Embodiment refers to all man’s biological capacities and his physical and social experiences that he lives in his environment and which are executed by his different organs and senses. The article presents a brief contrast between the pious body and the secular body, an overview of the development of metaphorical thought and the dialectical relationship between language, man and nature. I have collected all man-related metaphoric verses from the Quran by referring to every single organ of man’s body; and these organs were addressed top-to-bottom and front-to-back in terms of order and then analyzed in terms of the action/s each one of them embodies. To tie analysis down to our life as we experience it and accord it credit and value, it has been boiled down into a number of social and cultural schematic categories. Data analysis yields five social and cultural schemata: (i) Up is dignified. Down is not. (ii) Front is dignified. Back disgraced. (iii) Private should remain private. This is more polite, (iv) Intimacy means closeness. Closeness generates warmth and (v) Physical closeness gives strength.
Key Words: action embodiment, human body, metaphor, Quran, schemata,
Cite as: Abu Libdeh, A.J. (2015). Metaphor and Action Embodiment in the Glorious Quran. Arab World English Journal, 8 (3).
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol6no3.9