"Fettering" is a metaphor based on the definition below "to tie someone to a
place by putting chains around their ankles" or "a pair of chains which were
tied round the legs of prisoners to prevent them from escaping".
Fetters are literally chains. The metaphor Marx uses is "chaining".
The forces of production are not literally "tied up like someone" . They are
not literally chained. Marx applies "fetter" as an analogy from this usage.
("Analogy" is another word for "metaphor"). The forces of production do not
literally burst asunder some chains.
You know, "Workers of the World , Unite ! You have nothing to lose but your
chains. "
CB
^^^^^^^
http://www.freesearch.co.uk/dictionary/fettering
definition
fetter
verb {T}
1 LITERARY
to keep someone within limits or stop their advance:
- He felt fettered by a nine-to-five office existence.
2 to tie someone to a place by putting chains around their ankles
fetters
plural noun
1 OLD USE
a pair of chains which were tied round the legs of prisoners to prevent them
from escaping
2 LITERARY
something which severely limits you:
- the fetters of motherhood
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