They're related, but generally a metaphor is used to draw a comparison between two distinct objects, whereas a symbol is used as a stand-in for a much more complex, and generally more abstract, idea. In literature, a metaphor would typically be used in a specific instance to compare two objects, but a symbol would be used throughout the work as a major part of the theme.
Taking into account the explanation, it seems to me the animals in the story Animal Farm could be different symbols.
If so, what about an example as ti metaphor?
Best Answer
My favorite example of a metaphor is a computer's interface.
A computer stores information as collections of zeros and ones. Early computers were driven by punchcards to represent this, and it was incredibly difficult to learn.
To make it easier, someone used the metaphor of a traditional paper-driven office to explain what was happening inside the computer.
Don't think of your document as a set of zeros and ones - metaphorically, it's a file. Don't think of that fike as being stored on a magnetic disk - metaphorically, it's in a folder.
Although it's not strictly true, it is meaningful and useful.