Meaning: The quote "He was like a cock who thought the sun had risen to hear him crow" is a metaphorical expression used by George Eliot, a pen name for the English novelist Mary Ann Evans. This quote is from her novel "Middlemarch," which was first published in 1871-1872. It is a satirical observation that uses the image of a rooster crowing at sunrise to describe someone who is overly self-important or egotistical.

In this metaphor, the cock (or rooster) symbolizes a person who is so self-centered and conceited that they believe the world revolves around them. The act of crowing, which the rooster does to assert its dominance and mark its territory, is likened to the individual's self-aggrandizing behavior. The sun, a universal symbol of power and vitality, is used to represent the attention and validation that this person believes is directed solely at them.

George Eliot's choice of metaphor is both vivid and humorous, capturing the absurdity of inflated egos and self-importance. The comparison of a person to a cock crowing at the sun is a clever way of highlighting the folly of hubris and the tendency of some individuals to overestimate their own significance in the grand scheme of things.

The quote can be seen as a critique of human vanity and the tendency to perceive oneself as the center of the universe. It serves as a reminder that self-absorption and arrogance can blind individuals to the realities of the world around them, leading to a disconnect from the true nature of their place in society.

Furthermore, the quote reflects George Eliot's keen insight into human nature and her skill in using metaphor to convey complex ideas in a succinct and memorable manner. By comparing a person's inflated sense of self-importance to a rooster's belief that the sun rises to hear its crow, Eliot creates a striking image that resonates with readers and prompts reflection on the follies of human behavior.

In conclusion, George Eliot's quote "He was like a cock who thought the sun had risen to hear him crow" is a powerful metaphor that encapsulates the folly of self-importance and egotism. Through this vivid and humorous comparison, Eliot offers a critique of human vanity and a reminder of the absurdity of believing oneself to be the center of the universe. The quote stands as a testament to Eliot's mastery of language and her ability to convey profound insights into human nature through the use of metaphor.