Home › Glossary › Letter D

Disparate figures

Device
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

Want to hear it? Click the Listen button to hear the browser speak the word using text-to-speech!

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

Combination of unrelated figurative elements or tropes for effect

Detailed Definition
Disparate figures are characters, personas, or implied speakers in a poetic work who differ greatly in background, perspective, or ideology. Juxtaposing such figures heightens contrast and can illuminate thematic complexities, challenge assumptions, or present multiple truths within a single composition, enriching narrative tension and interpretative depth.
Example
Example in poetry:
Contrasting figures like angel and demon in one poem; juxtaposing saint and sinner imagery; mixing characters of opposing nature; pairing king and beggar in verse
Additional Notes
Use juxtaposition to create tension, irony or highlight contrasts; common in allegorical writing. Places unrelated images side-by-side. Forces reader to find connections. Effective for surreal or critical poetry. Study Imagists like Pound for concise juxtaposition. Avoid random pairing; ensure thematic link. Enhances symbolic depth and interpretive engagement.
Also Known As
Contrasting figures Opposed characters Divergent images Heterogeneous imagery
Skip to main content