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Mirror

Symbolism
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 mirror symbolizes self-knowledge, appearance, truth, or illusion.

Detailed Definition
In poetry, a mirror can reveal a face while raising questions about whether the reflected image is accurate or complete. It often appears in poems about identity, aging, vanity, alienation, and divided consciousness. A cracked or clouded mirror may suggest fractured memory or unreliable perception. Because reflection reverses the visible world, the mirror can also symbolize hidden doubles, alternate selves, and deceptive appearances.
Example
Example in poetry:
A mirror can symbolize self-examination when a speaker confronts an unfamiliar face in its surface; In Sylvia Plath's "Mirror," the reflective object speaks with cold accuracy, making it a symbol of truth without comfort; A cracked mirror can represent a divided identity or damaged memory; A mirror that reflects only moonlight instead of the speaker may symbolize alienation from the self
Additional Notes
A mirror can reveal self-knowledge, but it can also question whether appearances are truthful. In poetry, mirrors may expose aging, divided identity, vanity, memory, or illusion. Notice who looks into the mirror and whether the reflection confirms, distorts, or challenges the speaker’s sense of self.
Also Known As
Looking Glass Speculum
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