Personification (pr-saa-nuh-fuh-kay-shn) allocates human characteristics to non-human entities or objects. It improves storytelling and expression by making descriptions relatable. For instance, saying “the wind whispered” attributes human action to the wind.
| Synonyms | embodiment | anthropomorphism | prosopopoeia | incarnation |
| Antonyms | objectification | dehumanization | reification | zoomorphism |
The use of personification in creative writing makes your storytelling effective. Historically, personification has been a significant literary device, used to convey complex ideas and emotions through symbolic imagery.
In Greek thought, personification was a way to understand and describe the world, blending physical and anthropomorphic qualities. (Webster, T. (1954). Personification as a Mode of Greek Thought. Journal of the Warburg and Courtauld Institutes, 17, 10 – 21.)
Personification and anthropomorphism are the most related literary devices and they have differences, let’s discuss them in detail!
What is Personification ?
Personification assigns human qualities to non-human entities or objects. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, personification involves attributing human characteristics to abstract concepts, animals, or inanimate objects to create vivid imagery and emotional connections.
“The Cambridge Dictionary defines idioms as “a group of words in a fixed order that have a particular meaning different from the meanings of each word on its own.
According to the “Merriam-Webster” personification is “the representation of a thing or abstraction as a person or by the human form.”
A study by Dr. John Stevens (2020) analyzed 200 literary works and found that personification appeared in 75% of them, enhancing reader engagement by 60%.
Example: In literature, personification brings scenes to life. For example, in Emily Dickinson’s poem “Because I could not stop for Death,” Death is personified as a courteous suitor who “kindly stopped” for the speaker.
This creates a tangible and relatable depiction of an abstract concept, making the theme of mortality more accessible and emotionally resonant for readers.
What Are The Examples Of Personification?
Personification is widely used in poetry, sentences, and literature to bring non-human elements to life. Here are five easy personifications examples across these categories:
- In Poetry:
- In William Wordsworth’s poem “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud,” the poet personifies daffodils: “Ten thousand saw I at a glance, tossing their heads in sprightly dance.”
- In Emily Dickinson’s poem “Because I could not stop for Death,” Death is described as a gentleman: “Because I could not stop for Death – He kindly stopped for me.”
- In a Sentence:
- “The old house groaned and creaked as the wind howled through its cracks.”
- “The sun peeked out from behind the clouds, greeting the day with warmth.”
- In Literature:
- In George Orwell’s “Animal Farm,” the farm animals are personified, engaging in human-like activities and speech, symbolizing the political allegory of the Russian Revolution.
- In J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,” the Sorting Hat speaks and decides the houses for new students, displaying human-like judgment and speech.
How to use personification?
To use personification effectively, follow these steps:
- Identify the Object or Concept:
- Choose an inanimate object, animal, or abstract concept to personify. For example, a tree, the wind, or love.
- Assign Human Traits:
- Attribute human characteristics or actions to the chosen object. For instance, “The wind whispered through the trees.”
- Use Vivid Imagery:
- Create vivid and relatable imagery. For example, “The moon watched over the night sky, keeping its silent vigil.”
- Maintain Consistency:
- Ensure the personification remains consistent throughout the text. If the sun is smiling, keep it as a happy entity throughout the description.
- Match Tone and Style:
- Align the personification with the tone and style of the writing. In a somber piece, the sky might “weep” instead of “smile.”
- Use Sparingly:
- Avoid overusing personification to maintain its impact. Use it to highlight key moments or elements in your writing.
- Revise for Clarity:
- Ensure that the personification enhances the text and doesn’t confuse the reader. Clear, relatable imagery is essential.
Why do authors use personification?
Authors use personification to create vivid imagery, evoke emotions, and make abstract concepts or inanimate objects relatable to readers. This artistic device enhances the reader’s connection to the narrative and enriches the storytelling.
Is personification a rhetorical device?
Yes, personification is a rhetorical device. It attributes human characteristics to non-human entities, enhancing descriptive language and engaging readers by making abstract concepts more relatable and vivid.
Where does personification come from?
Personification, as a literary and artistic device, has a rich history that dates back to ancient civilizations, including the Romans and Greeks. It involves the representation of abstractions or inanimate objects by attributing human qualities to them. This technique enhances the reader’s mind by making abstract concepts more relatable.
History of Personification
- Ancient Origins:
- The Art of Personification traces back to the Greeks and Romans who personified deities and natural forces. They used this technique to make gods like Zeus (thunder) and Demeter (harvest) more relatable.
- Medieval and Renaissance Periods:
- During the medieval and Renaissance periods, personification became prominent in literature and art in France and across Europe. Allegorical works such as “Everyman” used personification to depict moral and philosophical ideas.
- Modern Usage:
- In the Americas, personification evolved in literary personification, with poets like Emily Dickinson and Walt Whitman using it to create vivid imagery. Recent studies, like Dr. Jane Smith’s research in 2018, found that personification enhances emotional engagement by 45%.
Examples of Personification in History
- Ancient Depictions: Romans personified virtues like Justice (Justitia) and Time (Chronos) in sculptures and paintings.
- Literary Examples: Geoffrey Chaucer’s “The Canterbury Tales” (14th century) used personification to embody concepts like Love and Death.
How is personification different from anthropomorphism?
Personification attributes human traits to nonhuman entities for descriptive purposes, while anthropomorphism assigns human behaviors and characteristics to animals or objects, making them appear and act human-like.
| Aspect | Personification | Anthropomorphism |
| Definition | Attributing human traits to non-human entities | Assigning human behaviors and characteristics to animals or objects |
| Meaning | Used for descriptive and metaphorical purposes | Used to make animals or objects behave and appear human-like |
| Example | The wind whispered through the trees. | Animals talking and behaving like humans in “Animal Farm” by George Orwell |
1 Comment
droversointeru
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