Home › Glossary › Letter F

Fading metaphor

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

A metaphor that gradually diminishes or transforms as the poem progresses

Detailed Definition
Fading metaphor describes figurative comparison that diminishes in clarity or intensity as the poem progresses. Initially vivid, the comparison gradually becomes less distinct, perhaps merging with literal statement or dissolving into suggestion, creating effects of memory's dissolution or meaning's ambiguity.
Example
Example in poetry:
Initial metaphor that weakens as poem progresses; Comparison that loses force through repetition; Figure gradually becoming literal; Metaphor dissolving into plain statement
Additional Notes
Metaphor that weakens or dissolves as poem progresses. May reflect theme of loss, change, or disillusionment. Creates dynamic movement in extended figures.
Also Known As
Dying metaphor Weakening comparison Fading image Dissolved metaphor
Skip to main content