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Ballistic metaphor

Device
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

Metaphor invoking the movement and force of weapons or projectiles

Detailed Definition
A ballistic metaphor likens poetic expression to a projectile—launching words with force, trajectory, and impact—emphasizing velocity, precision, or explosive revelation; it captures the aggressive or urgent delivery found in confessional or political poetry.
Example
Example in poetry:
Ballistic metaphor in Wilfred Owen: "Bullets chirped—In vain!"; Contemporary war poetry: "Her words—a grenade with the pin pulled"; Sylvia Plath’s "Daddy": "An engine, an engine / Chuffing me off like a Jew"; Ballistic metaphors convey violence through trajectory and impact; These metaphors often link emotional and physical trauma
Additional Notes
Extended comparison involving projectile motion, trajectory, or explosive force. Creates dynamic, forceful imagery. Related to martial metaphors and kinetic imagery. Useful for themes of impact, direction, or violence.
Also Known As
Projectile metaphor trajectory figure launched comparison ballistic image
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