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
An artistic movement that uses symbols to express ideas and emotions.
Explore this topic in depth (5)
How to Write About a Poem
— Writing about poetry is not a matter of finding hidden answers or naming as many techniques as possible. It is the practice of making a thoughtful claim, supporting it with well-chosen details, and explaining how those details create meaning.
Modernism
— Modernist poetry is not one fixed style but a wide field of experiments in language, rhythm, perspective and form. This guide explores the historical pressures behind those experiments and offers practical ways to read—and hear—poems that may initially seem difficult.
Romanticism
— Romanticism was not simply a love of nature or strong feeling. It was a varied poetic response to revolution, industrial change, scientific thought and new questions about the individual mind, freedom and humanity’s place in the world.
Nature Poetry
— Nature poetry is not simply poetry with scenery in it. Across centuries and cultures, poets have used birds, weather, gardens, oceans, seasons and stars to test what it means to be human—and to meet a world that may not be human-centred at all.
Victorian Poetry
— Victorian poetry developed during a period of rapid social, scientific and industrial change. It includes intimate lyrics, public arguments, narrative poems and unsettling dramatic speakers, rather than a single uniform style.
Detailed Definition
Symbolism is an artistic movement that emerged in the late 19th century, characterized by the use of symbolic imagery to convey deeper meanings and emotions. In poetry, symbolism allows poets to evoke complex ideas and feelings through the use of metaphor and imagery, inviting readers to interpret the text on multiple levels. By employing symbols, poets can create a rich tapestry of meaning that resonates with personal and universal experiences, encouraging readers to engage with the work in a more profound way. This technique emphasizes the power of suggestion and the ability of language to transcend literal interpretation.
Symbolism emerged in the late 19th century as a reaction against realism, focusing on representing ideas and emotions through symbols rather than direct depiction. Artists and poets sought to evoke feelings and provoke thought, using metaphorical imagery. Notable figures include poets like Charles Baudelaire and artists like Gustav Klimt. Understanding symbolism can enhance appreciation of various artworks, as it encourages viewers to look beyond the surface and explore deeper meanings. Related concepts include surrealism and expressionism, which also prioritize emotional expression.