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Sarcastic volta

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 volta (turn) that introduces sarcasm, often subverting expectations

Detailed Definition
A sarcastic volta is a sharp, ironic twist in a sonnet or lyric—typically at the traditional turn point—that replaces expected resolution with biting critique or disillusionment, subverting formal expectations for satirical effect.
Example
Example in poetry:
In Shakespeare’s Sonnet 130, the volta “And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare” sarcastically subverts earlier “imperfections”; In “The Rape of the Lock,” the volta to “This now, ye Muses, now must be your care!” mocks epic invocation; In Auden’s “The Unknown Citizen,” the final question “Was he free? Was he happy?” delivers sarcastic volta; In Plath’s “Lady Lazarus,” “I am your opus…” is a sarcastic turn on artistic creation.
Additional Notes
A sarcastic volta subverts the traditional sonnet turn by revealing cynicism instead of insight; modernizes the form for critical or ironic ends.
Also Known As
Ironic turn Mocking reversal Satirical swerve Ironizing volta
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