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underlying cadence

Meter
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

The foundational rhythmic pulse or pattern that underlies a poem’s meter, even when surface variations occur.

Detailed Definition
Underlying cadence describes the subtle rhythmic pulse beneath a poem’s surface meter—often shaped by speech patterns, breath, or emotional tone—that guides pacing and emphasis even in free verse; this organic flow complements or contrasts with formal metrical schemes to enhance expressive nuance.
Example
Example in poetry:
The persistent iambic pulse beneath free verse in T.S. Eliot’s “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock”; The rhythmic undercurrent of repetition in Langston Hughes’ “The Weary Blues”; The subtle trochaic sway in Sylvia Plath’s “Daddy” despite irregular line lengths; The heartbeat-like meter underlying Gwendolyn Brooks’ “We Real Cool”
Additional Notes
Underlying cadence: The subtle, natural rhythm or inflection inherent in the language of the poem, often distinct from the overt, formal meter; it contributes to the poem's unique voice and musicality.
Also Known As
Hidden cadence Underlying rhythm Subtle beat Baseline rhythm ground rhythm
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