Question

The most outstanding metaphor is "the cherry hung with snow." what two basically unlike things are being compared? why is the metaphor effective?

Answer 1

The line “the cherry hung with snow” actually depicts the comparison of spring and winter. This results from interpreting “snow” in the last line to be a metaphor for the cherry blossoms. Although the interpretation is not impossible, the poem’s realization is greater if “snow” is meant literally. Thus, the speaker or author solves a problem: rather than having to look at the cherry wearing white fifty more times, he doubles his opportunities.