Contextual Studies - Jessica Jones (metaphor and meaning)

A metaphor is a figure of speech that compares two unrelated meanings that share similar characteristics for example to say stabbed in the back. Someone is not physically being stabbed in the back but its describing the feeling and is associated when someone has been talking ill of you behind your back.

An Allegory is an extended metaphor usually connected by several metaphors on more than one level, usually literal and symbolic. When looking at the film Alien it is seen as a feminist/Freudian allegory using the implied sexual metaphors and the fear of reproduction.

An Allusion is an indirect or passing reference that doesnt particularly mean to be a metaphor. Its often used as homage or nod to a related show or film inspired by past work. Similar to this is an Analogy. This is a literally comparision without further meaning whereas a metaphor is more detailed.


Metaphors in TV and film will nearly always be a visual representation in a way of symbols and references without being too complicated. They are broken down if there are to many to obtain in one go but there is enough detail to understand and regonise.

With Jessica Jones (the 13 part netflix drama series) it contains a very dominant narrative about power and control between characters. It contains rape, PTSD, child abuse, addiction and superpowers to interpretate the trauma and struggle going on in a characters head. The series uses mind control to symbolise abusive relationships. When Jessica has her PTSD visions of a man licking her face then disapearing it shows the control he has over her from a previous abusing relationship.

With addiction we see it mainly through substae abuse giving the metaphor of control and loss of control. Jessica uses alcohol as a coping method and former soldier Simpson abuses red coloured pills that give him super powers. Also Jessica's friend is a drug addict. With surveillanve there is a lot of evidence that this is used through metaphors throughout the series. There is a lot of voyeurism  and with her job as a private detective this is linked to stalking and reading people's actions.