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Commutative 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

A metaphor functioning reversibly so each term qualifies the other.

Detailed Definition
Commutative metaphor is a figure of speech in which the relationship between tenor and vehicle is reversible or reciprocal, suggesting that each term transforms the other rather than one merely illustrating the other; for example, “Time is a river” becomes “The river is time,” implying a mutual constitution of meaning, a strategy that deepens ontological inquiry and appears in metaphysical and postmodern poetry alike.
Example
Example in poetry:
Commutative metaphor: "Her mind is a labyrinth; the labyrinth is her mind"; "Time is a river, and the river is time"; "Grief is a stone; the stone is grief"; "The city breathes, and its breath is smoke"
Additional Notes
Commutative metaphor allows interchangeable subject and object (e.g., “love is war” ↔ “war is love”); highlights relational symmetry—use to explore reciprocity or ambiguity in human dynamics.
Also Known As
Reversible metaphor interchangeable comparison commutative figure switchable metaphor
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