The Prosodic Phenomenon of Metric Puncture and The Philosophy of Omission : A Stylistic Study

Abstract

This is a study of the prosodic phenomenon of metric puncture, the supposition that a word or words are omitted and should be guessed to set right the metre of the line of verse. There is a considerable controversy as to the position and nature of puncture in the line of verse. The study starts with an exploration of the linguistic and philosophical nature of metric puncture. The study consists of two sections: the first presents the theoretical background of this prosodic phenomenon. The second is a stylistic analysis of this phenomenon. The conjuring up of the omitted parts of the line of verse makes it right to summon up interpretation of the omitted as the possible way to understand this phenomenon.