Dissertation: Our brain uses more time and allocates extra attention while trying to understand literary metaphors

In her dissertation Lina Sun studied how the human brain processes literary metaphors and found that we use more brain power, slow down and backtrack to literary metaphors trying to understand them better. The findings suggest that understanding literary metaphors require deeper cognitive engagement but that reading habits can influence the brain’s ability to process metaphors more quickly.

Dissertation Event

Lina Sun studied how the human brain processes literary metaphors.

Published

11.6.2025

Lina Sun studied how the human brain processes literary metaphors compared to metaphors in news and everyday language. The study found that it takes more brain power to understand and process literary metaphors.

“The findings, drawn from three interconnected studies, shed light on why metaphor in literature can feel more vivid or demanding to comprehend”, Sun says.

The study showed that while reading literary metaphors, the brain shows stronger neural activities compared to processing everyday metaphors or literal texts. This suggests that the brain allocates extra attention to comprehending the meaning of literary metaphors.

Literary metaphors also affect reading speed by slowing down readers.

“In the study we used eye-tracking technology to find out that people not only spend more time reading literary metaphors but also often backtrack to digest their meaning. This suggests that poetic language disrupts our usual reading flow to provoke deeper reflection,” Sun says.

Sun says however that individuals who regularly read literary works seem to process metaphors faster. This highlights that reading habits and personal interests shape reading process and brain activities.

Poetic metaphors trigger stronger brain oscillations. Literary metaphors sparked increased activity in low-frequency brainwaves (delta and theta bands), which are linked to deeper cognitive effort, memory, and complex problem-solving.

The study also noticed that while generally, both hemispheres of the brain collaborate in processing metaphors, literary metaphors showed slightly stronger activation in the right hemisphere.

The right hemisphere is associated with creativity and abstract thinking. Although the difference wasn’t significant, it indicates that both hemispheres collaborate dynamically in metaphor processing.

The study helps explain why literary metaphors resonate so powerfully to us. They challenge the brain in unique ways, blending attention, creativity, and memory.

“By combining EEG with eye-tracking technique, this study reveals that the beauty of literary language isn’t just in its artistry—it’s also in the complex, dynamic dance it sparks within our brains. For book lovers, it means that those extra moments spent savoring a poetic line aren’t just about enjoyment—they’re a sign of your brain working overtime to unlock meaning,” Sun sums up.

Lina Sun defends their doctoral dissertation “From Neural Dynamics to Gaze Patterns: Mapping the Neurocognitive Mechanisms of Literary Metaphor Processing” on 13 June 2025 at 12:00 pm.

Opponent is Docent, University lecturer Henri Olkoniemi (University of Oulu) and custos is Associate Professor Tuomo Kujala (University of Jyväskylä).

The language of the event is English. The dissertation event can be attended in C4 (The Main Building) or online.