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Fright

Psychology
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

Fright: A psychological response of sudden, intense fear, often triggered by perceived immediate danger, characterized by a fight-or-flight adrenaline rush and a sensation of being startled or terrorized.

Detailed Definition
Fright in poetry strikes through sudden noises, flashes, or visceral imagery—a snake, a gunshot, a ghost. Poets use it to jolt readers, creating shock and suspense. It appears in Gothic ballads, war narratives, and horror verse, where physical reaction (heart racing, freezing) is rendered. Fright is momentary but can cascade into lasting dread, making it a potent tool for turning points and revelations in dramatic poetry.
Example
Example in poetry:
Fright in "Sonnet XII" by Fernando Pessoa describes a "frighted user of a night-road"; "Fire Fright" depicts a man screaming in pain as fire spreads; "Fright and fear" lists goblins, witches, and ghosts; Saroj Padhi's "Fright" speaks of "blinding waves of terror, torment and fright"; "Fright" by Valter Van D describes shadows dancing and demons in the trees; The poem "The Beast of Fright" portrays fright as a shapeless beast.
Additional Notes
Fright in poetry strikes through sudden noises, flashes, or visceral imagery—a snake, a gunshot, a ghost—creating shock and suspense. Poets use it to jolt readers, often in Gothic ballads, war narratives, and horror verse. In teaching, distinguish fright from fear: fright is sudden and immediate, while fear is more sustained. Fright is momentary but can cascade into lasting dread, making it a potent tool for turning points and revelations. Students should analyze how poets use onomatopoeia, short lines, and abrupt shifts to create the shock of fright.
Also Known As
Fear scare terror shock alarm Panic
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